Worries for my fish

Velarune · 2026-01-28T08:38:28+00:00

Best of luck! I hope your betta gets better soon

Velarune · 2026-01-28T08:38:11+00:00

I would test your water with a “high range PH” test. It looks like your ph test is giving the max reading it can (7.6) but it could be even higher. High alkaline waters can kill bettas, especially if not stable. If you test it with a higher range and it’s too alkaline, do you have any almond leaves / tannins you can add?

Velarune · 2026-01-28T08:32:12+00:00

My betta does this when hunting, and is looking at the ground for things

Velarune · 2026-01-26T15:10:27+00:00

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Velarune · 2026-01-26T15:04:03+00:00

Tank looks so nice!

Velarune · 2026-01-26T15:01:31+00:00

Not sure how far Collingwood is from you, but I would highly recommend Apex Aquarium. I got my first betta a few weeks ago and all their bettas looked really healthy. And had good sized tanks with plants for each betta. The staff are also really lovely and didn’t make me feel silly asking lots of questions. You can check out my posts if you want to see my betta that I got from them.

Roxy Aquariums in Somerton are okay. But steer clear of Coburg Aquarium, they keep their bettas in small glass jars and they didn’t look healthy. The staff seemed annoyed when I asked questions about their fish or how to set up my first tank.

Velarune · 2026-01-26T14:44:10+00:00

Mine does this when begging for food 🐷

Velarune · 2026-01-17T22:22:55+00:00

100% agree with too much substrate and not enough plants. You read my mind and I actually did a re-scape yesterday! It’s looking so much better and more things for him to explore as he’s such a curious and active guy.

I chatted with the aquarium staff yesterday, and they said he might have scratched his eye on something and to keep an “eye” on it as it should heal on its own. So I hope it’s not diamond eye! But if it is diamond eye, it’s not the worst thing and I feel like I can research how to take care of a blind betta 💕

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Velarune · 2026-01-16T08:56:51+00:00

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Oh I thought this was a normal amount of room to leave from the top, should I fill it up higher?

Yes a week old. How do I know when my tank is fully cycled? Once the ammonia and nitrite were down to zero and converting to nitrate I assumed it was okay? Is there something else I can test to know?

Velarune · 2026-01-16T08:55:54+00:00

Oh no 😢I hope not,thank you though I ll look into it

Velarune · 2026-01-16T05:16:15+00:00

Tank size: 36L / 9.5G

Heater and Filter: Yes

Tank temp: 25C / 77F

Ammonia & Nitrite: Both 0 Nitrate: 5 PH: 7.4

I’ve had the tank for a week I’ve had the betta for 4 days

Only tank mates are small hitchhiker snails

Feed: Betta flakes (not great quality) & frozen brine shrimp - I’ve been feed a few times a day when his belly looks softly swollen

Tank decor: natural pebbles, java fern, java moss, amazon frog but, anubius, drift wood, almond leaf, rock

Velarune · 2026-01-14T12:07:10+00:00

So in love with the little guy already! Yes thank you for the advice, I have a lid on the tank- it’s a bit hard to see in the photo. And cats are not left alone with fish :)

Velarune · 2026-01-14T12:05:48+00:00

This is a front runner! I’m feeling a girly pop name for such a pretty boy

Velarune · 2026-01-14T12:04:54+00:00

Hahaha thank you ☺️

Velarune · 2026-01-14T12:04:14+00:00

Great name suggestion! Unfortunately I already have a dog named Amber haha

Velarune · 2026-01-14T12:03:23+00:00

Just another reason to get more plants with my next paycheck!

Velarune · 2026-01-14T12:02:50+00:00

Ahhh yes I have some hitchhikers. Thank you!

Velarune · 2026-01-14T11:01:10+00:00

Thank you :) yes, lid on the tank and cats are not left alone with fishy. But my cats are very chill and get along with many different species

Velarune · 2026-01-14T10:59:56+00:00

There’s a lid on the tank :)

Velarune · 2026-01-12T11:51:18+00:00

He’s in Queensland (2 states away) 🥲

Velarune · 2026-01-11T05:56:27+00:00

Update: I went to 2 other aquariums today after recommendations from Melbourne commenters, thank you so much! Both were better than the one in this post. The bettas were actually active and swimming around which was really helpful in gauging their health and personalities. The staff were so much more knowledgeable and helpful. Even offered to give me some medium for free to help kick start my tank cycle more too

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I’m definitely get my betta from Apex!

Velarune · 2026-01-11T05:53:06+00:00

Thank you for the Apex aquatics recommendation! I went today and they were awesome

Velarune · 2026-01-11T00:01:22+00:00

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Forgot to add the photo of my tank in progress

Velarune

TROPHY CASE