Blue Betta Fisssshhh

RyanMalpiede

RyanMalpiede

Joined
Oct 5, 1998
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My lady got me a blue betta fish today for my office, first time I have ever owned a fish. Any words of wisdom from the fish owners here?

Thanks,

ry
 
That's the toughest fish in the world. Their natural enviroment is a mud puddle in asia. They don't eat much so be sure not to overfeed it as it will cause the bowl to get dirty faster. beyond that just be sure to get the chlorine out of the water that you put in the bowl.

If you get bored and don't mind buying a new fish, get a red one, take bets and put them in the same bowl. They will fight to the death.
 
smknman said:
That's the toughest fish in the world. Their natural enviroment is a mud puddle in asia. They don't eat much so be sure not to overfeed it as it will cause the bowl to get dirty faster. beyond that just be sure to get the chlorine out of the water that you put in the bowl.

If you get bored and don't mind buying a new fish, get a red one, take bets and put them in the same bowl. They will fight to the death.
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...and don't forget pics!:eek: :D :cool: :thumbup:
 
Put a small mirror in front of the bowl and he'll flare up to fight.
 
My cat tells me that those blue betta fish taste like chicken.:D.:D.
 
I've kept Betta fish before. They do well in a community tank with other species, just can't have more than one male Betta. I don't think they need a heater, but they do need a filter of some sort and room to swim. Flake food twice a day, tiny amount since there's only one fish.

-Bob
 
Betas take special pellets -- not flakes -- and once they get used to a particular brand of pellet they sometimes will refuse to eat if you switch.

Change the water monthly -- room temperature spring water.

No heater, filter, or chemicals are required . . . easy pet to take care of.
 
That's a Crown Tail Betta.

Some good and bad advice in the previous posts. I'm a BIG Betta guy, here's some tips:

--Calm, clean water. Change 1/4 of the water weekly. Use de-chlorinated tap water (DO NOT use any kind of purified or bottled water-this will kill the fish) De-chlorinate with any of the standard bowl conditioners from a pet store.

-Most Betta's will not eat flake food. Most love Betta Bio-Gold brand pellets. Add a few freeze dried worms every so often. Don't over feed.

-The most common disease is fin rot, which usually comes from swimming in a dirty bowl.

-dan
 
There is so much contradictory advice in this thread I'm getting all confused. Here's my bit to add to the confusion:

The first Betta I had, a lot of years ago, didn't do well. Somebody I considered an authority (vetinarian? fish store owner?) told me it was because they need to be kept warm. 78 degrees F is okay if you're keeping him in a mixed tank but they really like to be at 80 degrees. After I started keeping him warm that one got better, and all the bettas I've had since I've kept warm and they've been healthy, so I've never questioned that, but I don't even remember where I got that information. I guess I'm going to have to do some googling....
 
I'm a BIG Betta guy, here's some tips:
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Huh. Mine always ate flake food, but I never game them a choice about it. :D

Do Bettas need a heater or not? I always kept them in a heated community tank, but thought they didn't require it since at the store they are kept in tiny unheated jars.

Best Wishes,
-Bob

Change 1/4 of the water weekly.
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Agree with that totally, I never change more than 1/4 of the water at a time for any fish. The chemical shock of a total water change can kill them.
 
dano said:
--Calm, clean water. Change 1/4 of the water weekly. Use de-chlorinated tap water (DO NOT use any kind of purified or bottled water-this will kill the fish) De-chlorinate with any of the standard bowl conditioners from a pet store.
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DO NOT use distilled or fluoridated water . . . good quality spring water is fine, just make sure that it is at room temperature.

My ex had a Beta for about 5 years . . . every time his water started to cloud, she'd reach in with her hand to grab him, and drop him in a coffeemug filled with spring water as she dumped out the dirty water, wiped off the sides of the bowl, replaced the gravel, and refilled it -- then she'd plunk him back in. He'd start swimming around and eating pellets right away.

Betas are also known as "Siamese Fighting Fish", and they're tough . . . not like some wussy saltwater fish that requires all sorts of chemicals, a specific water ph, and a filtration unit.
 
Bob W said:
Do Bettas need a heater or not? I always kept them in a heated community tank, but thought they didn't require it since at the store they are kept in tiny unheated jars.
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I had a book on Bettas at one time. It did mention 80 degrees as being where Bettas are most happy and that 'They come to life at 80 degrees.' 80 degrees, of course, is way too hot for most non-tropical fish and not recommended for a community tank. Bettas can live just fine unheated at 70 degrees, but they won't be as spunky.

Do not do this at home: I have an uncle who used to keep 2 male Bettas in a 15 gallon community tank. Initially they would fight but eventually one would tire out and run away. The winner, the dominant male, will then leave the loser alone for awhile but would occasionally take bites at the other male when they'd get close too each other. I've never witnessed a fight to the death in my uncle's tank.
 
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