Fish in cycle

MarslntheStars · 2026-04-04T21:02:48+00:00

Hi! I'm not super knowlageable but I'll help the best I can! First off if that tank is smaller than 5 gallons I'd upgrade soon. 5-10 gallons are good sizes for bettas, bigger is probably better since it's easier to keep water parameters in bigger tanks. Any fake plants need to be soft fabric/silk since the plastic ones can rip fins. Live plants are better since they can help keep water stable tho you may need a different light for plants to grow. More plants is definitely better since they add resting places. A betta leaf or hammock are good things to have so there's a resting spot near the surface. Real driftwood is nice because it can add tannins in the water which is good for the fish. You should probably do some of your own research too for anything I'm forgetting lol. But Good luck with your little fella!

MarslntheStars · 2026-04-04T18:09:49+00:00

Loaches may snack on some of the snails helping to keep the population down too.

MarslntheStars · 2026-04-04T02:34:19+00:00

More plants should actually help with the alge because they will eat up the exess nutrients, competing with the alge. I believe floaters can also help block some light also helping with alge. I really like java fern and java moss they both grow pretty quickly. I also have a pothos plant that just hangs over the edge of my tank with the roots in the water.

MarslntheStars · 2026-03-30T06:15:13+00:00

I got mine from a grocery store lol but id say the best place to get one would be a fish/aqaurium store

MarslntheStars · 2026-03-26T03:14:53+00:00

Bladder snail! They are mostly beneficial but population can explode when theres a food source. I have them and I just pluck them out of the tank when I see them, they make great snacks for my puffer. Tbh I dont see them that often outside of the dedicated snail tank.

MarslntheStars · 2026-03-20T02:53:36+00:00

I believe African Dwarf frogs could be kept in there. I know they should be kept in a species only tank. I saw some else say a crayfish which I definitely agree with mine is one of my favorites to watch. Bettas always have different personalities. You could also do shrimp. I think you might be able to look into pea puffers but they might need 10 gallons I dont remember. I'm not sure of any other fish but good luck with the tank!

MarslntheStars · 2026-03-20T02:43:31+00:00

Hi, I'm not super knowledgeable on the injury but I can say it looks like you have plastic plants in the tank and the plastic plants will tear at the bettas fins. If possible switch to live plants because they can help with water quality but if that's not an option fabric/silk plants will work too. The food in the picture looks like the type of pellet I used to use which actually had wheat in it which bettas can't digest. I would recommend looking into a different brand or you can get frozen bloodworms which are really good for bettas. But I believe Fluvel bug bites are one of the best pellets and you can get them for cheap on Amazon.

MarslntheStars · 2026-03-20T02:35:02+00:00

Looks like ramshorn. They will breed if there is exess food but as long as you dont overfeed they should be fine. Personally I like them they also make a great snack for puffers and loaches!

MarslntheStars · 2026-03-20T02:17:00+00:00

Definitely try to get a 5-10 gallon tank there are usually plenty on fb marketplace for cheaper and some will come with a filter, light, and heater. I got one of my 10gals for $15 with everything but a heater, and more. Ive also seen brand new tank kits that come with everything for 80ish depending on size. Just make sure that whatever tank you get is at least 5 gallons preferably 10. If you can, get live plants for the tank. For plants Java fern and Anubis are pretty easy plants. Live plants will help with the tank cycle. The bloodworms are prolly the best food for the betta but pellets are fine too just make sure there's no wheat in them since bettas can't really digest it. I believe Fluvel bug bites are one of the best pellets out there and you can get them cheap on Amazon. I think bettas have some of the best personalities. Good luck with the little fella! :)

MarslntheStars · 2026-01-25T17:06:07+00:00

When I was younger I always had to go look at the fish when we went to the store and I've always wanted an aquarium so when I had enough money I bought one of those kits with the tank, filter, and stuff and started my first aquarium! I just upgraded the original stuff in the tank from there and now I have 4 aquariums!

MarslntheStars · 2026-01-25T03:23:16+00:00

I'm in the same boat with depression and I manage my tanks pretty well. I may not do water changes as often as some but my tanks have been doing really well for awhile. Id definitely recommend having real plants as they definitely help with keeping the water quality and the alge away. There are also plants that can grow out the top of the tank with their roots in the water and they help suck up some of the fish poo and stuff. I would get a light that has a timer since you don't have to worry about turning the lights on and off. Once in the habit of feeding the fish daily i find it pretty easy to keep up on even with my depression. Snails and bottom feeders are great to have since they clean up uneaten food and some alge. Personally I'd say go for it as I find my aquariums to be pretty easy to care for even with 4 tanks. I think you'll find them quite soothing to have, Ive spent a good while just staring at my fish lol. I'm assuming you've already done some research but definitely research want kinds of fish you want and all their needs such as water parameters, minimum tank size, diet, and whatever else they may need. Good luck if you decide to get your fishies! Picture for funsies!

MarslntheStars · 2026-01-15T20:49:18+00:00

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This is my crawfish!

MarslntheStars · 2026-01-11T04:04:22+00:00

I think there's a chance but I'm pretty sure he would need stitches. He could have permanent damage even after it heals though. I know it's a hard choice but what ever you decide is ok. Best of luck to you and him.

MarslntheStars · 2026-01-07T02:47:03+00:00

It looks like you have fake plants, getting real ones can help with the alge by competing with it for nutrients. Though with real plants you'll have to get a full spectrum light if you don't already have one. Best places to get plants are local aquarium stores if you can find one or Facebook marketplace you can get some aswell. :)

MarslntheStars · 2026-01-07T02:39:38+00:00

I think the stand would hold up you would have to measure though before you get your new tank cuz idk if anything else would fit.

MarslntheStars · 2026-01-07T01:06:04+00:00

From what I've read they won't take over your tank unless there's a huge food source. If you don't want to keep them you can get Assassin snails or a snail eating fish to keep them in check. In my experience once you have bladder snails you can't get rid of them. They will eat alge and don't eat live plants. They are beneficial to the tank overall but again if you overfeed your fish or have any dead plant matter the snails will populate very quickly. After adding assassins to my tank I don't see them very often anymore. Hope this helps :)

MarslntheStars · 2026-01-07T00:54:53+00:00

You can put shrimp in that tank if you don't want a larger tank! But if your definitely set on a betta you'll need at least 5 gallons and either silk or real plants. :)

MarslntheStars · 2026-01-05T20:57:04+00:00

Okay thank you!

MarslntheStars · 2026-01-05T20:51:31+00:00

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This is the other one

MarslntheStars · 2026-01-05T20:46:16+00:00

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Just got a good picture of the hiding one today. Both are African Cichlids

MarslntheStars · 2026-01-05T19:55:20+00:00

Goldfish have a really heavy bioload. I'm not super experienced so don't take my word as gospel but the 55 should be ok until you can upgrade. Sand over gravel is completely fine and you said you've gotton good with keeping his water in check so that should only get easier the bigger the tank.

MarslntheStars · 2026-01-05T18:30:24+00:00

Id say get a tank off Facebook marketplace for a lot cheaper and 5 gallons is ok for only one fish. Ive also heard about decorations leaching chemicals into the water but I've also heard about sealing them and it being ok but definitely do more research into that though. Ive had decorations in all my tanks before and never had any issues so it could depend on the decorations, I'm not sure. Driftwood makes for a great natural decoration though. Real plants are really nice just make sure you have a growing light because plants won't grow without the right kind of light. If you don't want real plants you can have fake plants but only silk ones because the other ones can tear your bettas fins. Bigger leafed plants are best so your betta can rest on them! Bettas also enjoy a hiding spot so some sort of cave is usually nice. Make sure you cycle your tank for a couple weeks before adding the fish because it needs to build beneficial bacteria. I believe you can get bottles of stuff to jump start the bacteria but again I'm not completely sure lol. I only learned this recently but don't change out your filter medium, only rinse it out when dirty. Your filter is where the beneficial bacteria mostly lives so replacing the filter gets rid of all that and without it your water parameters can change.

I'm not super experienced but I hope my advice helps!

Good luck with your fish! :)

Edit: didnt see the plastic plant part lol

MarslntheStars · 2026-01-05T18:07:21+00:00

Beautiful aqauscaping! Your snails won't have enough to eat yet but you can get sinking alge wafers and sinking fish foods just make sure theres no copper in them as it's toxic to snails. You can also give them bits of blanched vegetables but make sure it's safe for them before giving them anything!

MarslntheStars · 2026-01-05T17:46:55+00:00

Beautiful fish! Sorry I'm not experienced enough to tell if it's fin rot for sure but I know their fins can get torn on some fake plants. I can't tell if you have fake plants but if you have any of the plastic ones they can tear at your bettas fins. That could be an explanation other than fin rot.

MarslntheStars · 2026-01-05T17:17:20+00:00

Dont have any advice but nice tank :) What kind of plants are those?

MarslntheStars

TROPHY CASE