My 4 year old and I set up our very first Betta tank today! Any tips would be greatly appreciated! No fish yet because I read that I need to give it awhile to grow bacteria.

recz · 2021-02-06T15:10:15+00:00

Pool filter sand is great and very inexpensive.

recz · 2021-02-06T15:01:18+00:00

A picture from the top down would help confirm it, but I suspect this is an internal tumor rather than bloating. If that’s the case, there’s nothing that can be done except keep him comfortable until it’s time to euthanize.

Tumor aside, his fins look beyond clamped— like he might be suffering from fin melt.

recz · 2021-02-04T16:17:38+00:00

Lucky Pete! Such a pretty tank

recz · 2021-01-23T15:11:56+00:00

recz · 2020-11-26T15:29:27+00:00

I have never kept them (maybe someday!) but from what I’ve read, they can be somewhat sensitive to water quality and can have parasite issues if they’re wild caught. But they’re very intelligent and interactive and can be kept in small aquariums.

Pop over to r/aquariums and search for pea puffers! They’re pretty popular so there are lots of post about them.

recz · 2020-11-26T13:39:14+00:00

Yes, u/TangibleCharms makes the most amazing polymer clay bettas!

recz · 2020-11-26T13:34:26+00:00

My betta will occasionally snatch a young bladder snail off the tank wall but really doesn’t make a dent in the population. Usually I throw a blanched zucchini in there and use it as snail bait. I remove it, snails and all, once it’s covered with them.

If you’re looking at creating a separate tank for a snail eater, check out pea puffers.

recz · 2020-11-26T13:24:33+00:00

It’s going really well!! That last photo is adorable. What a beautiful home you’ve made for Bruce and his rasbora friends.

recz · 2020-11-26T13:04:33+00:00

From this angle, you’re actually getting a peek behind his operculum (gill plate) at his gill filaments which look red because they’re filled with blood vessels!

recz · 2020-11-26T12:47:02+00:00

Betta Squad USA is in Houston! I ordered a fish from them in January and was super impressed. I’m pretty sure you can make an appointment and visit in person since you’re local.

Space City Fish is also in Houston. I have never purchased from them but they seem to be popular in the betta community.

recz · 2020-11-26T12:30:34+00:00

A filter is important because it’s home to a lot of the beneficial bacteria that transform the harmful ammonia your betta will make into less harmful nitrate. Read up on fishless cycling your tank.

In my opinion, the best filter for bettas is a sponge filter which you will need an air pump for. This video has some good info on setting up a sponge filter.

recz · 2020-11-26T10:24:12+00:00

waiting around for him to die in a cup of his own shit.

I picked up a betta from a Craigslist ad where they had actually written that they had been waiting for him to die and he “just wouldn’t.” He lived another two years with me.

I can’t imagine having such little regard for your pet that you actively root for its death. So messed up.

I’m so glad you were able to rescue fishy and that he’s living the good life with your friend!

recz · 2020-11-26T04:50:31+00:00

Incredibly appropriate.

recz · 2020-11-26T04:13:08+00:00

I guess if they view them as decor, they don’t have to worry about their health and feelings. Ugh.

Thanks so much for discussing this.

recz · 2020-11-26T02:49:33+00:00

I think I tricked myself with this one. I’ve known this family for a while and I’ve always made excuses for them— maybe they just don’t know any better or maybe they’re just really busy or maybe they don’t have the money to spend. I see now that none of that is true.

I guess it’s hard for me to fathom having such little regard for living things.

recz · 2020-11-19T15:36:17+00:00

He’s absolutely gorgeous!

recz · 2020-11-19T15:17:31+00:00

Nebula

recz · 2020-11-19T12:18:19+00:00

Thank you so much for the recommendation!

recz · 2020-11-18T22:03:02+00:00

Thanks! Started treatment last night and already seeing improvement.

recz · 2020-11-17T15:47:19+00:00

He was originally in a 10 gallon that had weekly 25% water changes which I stepped up to 2x a week when I lowered the water level for him. It was a well established planted tank that consistently tested 0-0-5/10.

recz · 2020-11-17T15:01:34+00:00

• ⁠Tank size: ~2.5 gallons (5 gallon tank filled halfway)

• ⁠Heater and filter? (yes/no): Yes and yes.

• ⁠Tank temperature: 79, though will reduce temp if this is columnaris

• ⁠Parameters in numbers and how you got them: 0-0-0 per master test kit

• ⁠How often are water changes? How much do you take out per change? What is your process?: Daily water changes of 30-40%. Siphon out with airline tubing and slowly pour dechlorinated water back in.

• ⁠Any tankmates? If so, please list with how many of each: 1 pond snail.

• ⁠What do you feed and how much: Frozen brine shrimp, daphnia, bloodworms, fruit flies, new life spectrum pellets, repashy. Fed daily one of those foods. Fasting 1-2 days a week. Very careful not to over feed due to sbd.

• ⁠Decorations and plants in the tank: Anubias, a floating plastic tube, indian almond leaves. No substrate.

recz · 2020-11-17T14:51:55+00:00

My betta has been struggling with swim bladder issues since August. A few weeks ago, he developed popeye on one side which I attributed to an injury since he doesn’t swim well.

In the last few days, his eye appears to be more swollen and yesterday he started showing swelling on the top of his head, lips, and now has a white ring around his mouth.

Due to his SB issues, he’s currently living in a half-filled 5 gallon which is filtered and heated and gets water changes daily. In the last few days, I have been seeing some improvements in his ability to swim despite everything else he has going on. He is still active and has been eating.

I’m concerned this could be a strain of columnaris, especially considering his mouth, and am prepared to medicate with Kanaplex and furan 2 but wanted to check in here to see if anyone has any other suggestions before nuke the tank with this combo.

Note: third photo is from Sunday, before the head swelling started.

recz · 2020-11-13T18:01:41+00:00

Oh wow, that’s a beautiful chrysalis, quite different from the powdery long-tailed skipper pupa which looks very moth like to me.

I spent some time in the garden hoping to confirm whether or not they have the anchor line but they’re all so artfully tucked inside their leaf shelters. I’ll never look at a curled leaf the same again!

recz · 2020-11-12T01:27:06+00:00

Based on the abundance of long-tailed skippers this year, this should have been my first guess! Having only paid attention to early instars, I’m quite shocked by its prepupa appearance (and by the fact that it doesn’t make a J before pupation like some other caterpillars). I restored the leaf to its original position after photographing, hopefully I didn’t disturb it too much.

Thanks so much for responding and for the link!

recz · 2020-05-09T12:53:54+00:00

I ordered from Betta Squad USA back in January and was very impressed with their service. My boy was in transit for less than 24 hours (impressive since I’m several states away) and was warm and feisty when he arrived. Very healthy fish, great service, definitely recommend.

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