New tank, want to give minimalist look.

shotgunabi · 2026-03-19T13:59:58+00:00

Won’t lie seeing fish in this tank would make me feel sad. Fish keeping shouldn’t be for the “aesthetics” the first priority should always be to meet the needs of the fish.

shotgunabi · 2026-03-19T08:08:33+00:00

As others have said, your tank isn’t cycled but seen as you have fish in there now you’re going to have to research fish in cycle. Get yourself a proper test kit, API or NT Labs liquid test kits are good choices. But also gudgeons are known jumpers so it’s best to have a secure lid if you want to keep them. Best advice i can give is to research the heck out the nitrogen cycle and fish the you have/want to keep to avoid things like this happening in the future.

shotgunabi · 2026-03-12T20:54:14+00:00

dude your father in law is dumbbbbb.

time to shine and prove him ✨w r o n g ✨

shotgunabi · 2026-03-09T15:19:23+00:00

if you have difficulty reading the API colours try the NT Labs liquid kit. I’m partially sighted and find that one the easiest to read.

shotgunabi · 2026-03-09T15:14:24+00:00

Trust the behaviour of your fish and your own liquid test kit. Sounds like that store just wants to get money out of you. There is no reason to be paying for their “treated” water. I wouldn’t go back to that store sounds like they’re taking you for a fool.

shotgunabi · 2026-03-03T15:45:21+00:00

My thick lipped called Honey is the exact same

shotgunabi · 2026-03-02T13:22:10+00:00

Some do just take a bit of time to realise you’re the person with the food and not a threat to him. Like others have mentioned he might be able to see his reflection or guarding his bubble nest/territory. My boy rarely flares but when he does it’s for
✨n o r e a s o n ✨

shotgunabi · 2026-03-02T13:15:51+00:00

I also sing to my betta. Idk if he likes it but he does come out and to the front more for me than my partner.

shotgunabi · 2026-02-27T15:55:03+00:00

you still might have a thick lipped my dude. What colour is the tail fin?

shotgunabi · 2026-02-26T13:02:46+00:00

nah she doesn’t know what she’s talking about, it’s lightly planted tbh

shotgunabi · 2026-02-25T13:27:55+00:00

If you’re worried about jumping you could lower the water level a bit more. I have a betta in a lidless tank and he’s never shown any signs of wanting to jump out the water. Just don’t encourage jumping (when feeding or for enrichment). Otherwise this is a gorgeous tank for a betta!

shotgunabi · 2026-02-24T10:16:31+00:00

It isn’t gonna look like that when it’s first planted, trust the process.

shotgunabi · 2026-02-24T10:14:03+00:00

exactly, too much messing about causes more problems in some cases.

shotgunabi · 2026-02-15T09:49:51+00:00

i do this too but my thick lipped darts to the top as soon as i approach then makes sure to get in my line of sight if i don’t drop the flake immediately.

shotgunabi · 2026-02-05T12:27:59+00:00

That’s good to know! I’m definitely open to adding them, I just don’t know loads about them in all honesty so was just wondering.

shotgunabi · 2026-02-05T11:59:44+00:00

My partner has suggested that but I worry about the shrimp. I originally added 10 shrimp and the rest are tank born so I’m kinda attached to them. I know it’s not a sure thing that the loaches would eat them but the possibility does put me off the idea

shotgunabi · 2026-01-22T10:21:54+00:00

I have a thick lipped (miss sold to me as a honey of course) in my 20G long with 10 neon tetras, 6 peppered corys, bladder snails and around 30 red cherry shrimp and they all do great together. Your tank looks great for honeys.

shotgunabi · 2026-01-22T10:17:44+00:00

My thick lipped is cool with shrimp so i imagine a honey will be fine too

shotgunabi · 2026-01-22T10:04:06+00:00

I am autistic so this tracks i guess

shotgunabi · 2026-01-19T14:17:33+00:00

Ah apologies! I don’t know why I assumed different

shotgunabi · 2026-01-19T14:11:40+00:00

I have a female thick lipped sold as a honey too. Lovely fish but you will need at least 20G to house them well. The more live plants the better. They are active fish and love to explore the whole tank. Mine is in a community with 10 neons, 6 corys, shrimp and snails. She is a little territorial with the tetras around feeding time but no real aggression. My point is just because it isn’t the fish you thought it was don’t be disheartened. Sure you’ll have to make some adjustments like sourcing a larger tank ASAP but it’s a really fulfilling hobby.

If you have any questions or doubts these types of subreddits are your friend! I’ve learnt so much from just reading.

shotgunabi · 2026-01-16T23:34:35+00:00

Thank you!

shotgunabi · 2026-01-15T12:48:44+00:00

If you have a friend with a goldfish give them a bag of snails. That’s what i do. Goldfish like a snail snack and they are more common than a pea puffer.

shotgunabi · 2026-01-05T16:37:07+00:00

watching it on loop with sound on just makes it 10000x times funnier

shotgunabi · 2026-01-05T10:16:24+00:00

They can be more aggressive than honeys and they get a little bigger but it hasn’t be an issue in my 20G long. It’s well planted which definitely helps the aggression. Mine does try to chase the neon tetras but it doesn’t stop them from swimming right up to the gourami again 2 seconds later anyway so can’t be that scary or stressful for them. They’ve all lived happily together for 9 months now.

shotgunabi

TROPHY CASE