2 New Additions!
- Thread starter Sunnierhawk0
- Start date
Squee! Another newbie Betta owner (I just got Gerdy a few days ago 
).
Yes, they can definitely jump! Plakats have been measured jumping 1.5 feet straight up
If you're worried about oxygen you can get them a bubbler
And I would watch them to make sure they aren't constantly flaring at each other too much, it can stress them out to have constant access to another Betta. If they are, just stick a piece of paper between their tanks for a while. I can't even have my tank light on too long or Gerdy decides her reflection must die
).Yes, they can definitely jump! Plakats have been measured jumping 1.5 feet straight up
If you're worried about oxygen you can get them a bubbler
And I would watch them to make sure they aren't constantly flaring at each other too much, it can stress them out to have constant access to another Betta. If they are, just stick a piece of paper between their tanks for a while. I can't even have my tank light on too long or Gerdy decides her reflection must die
I love fish but let my old tank go to a good friend who already had one very large, gorgeous tank... as it was simply to time consuming for me with my pet level I need simple as possible... I have hesitated to get a Betta because I have never kept a fish tank without heaters, filters etc etc and was not sure how well they did... They really do well in a simple bowl with no lights, filters etc? How long do they live? I'd have to get a cover not only for the jumping mentioned above (Which I did not know about btw..LOL) but to protect them from the cats going fishing.....
Like Pam said, they aren't all that hard or time consuming. I clean Gerdy's tank twice a week because it is less then two gallons and I decided to not go with the filter. You do have to let the water sit out at least overnight to get the chemicals out and then I use BettaSafe in the water, but that's not hard. I feed a varied diet of pellets, flakes, and bloodworms.
I spent 3 years on a betta forum before I actually got my fish, just didn't want to sound like a know it all who's only had their fish a week.
I spent 3 years on a betta forum before I actually got my fish, just didn't want to sound like a know it all who's only had their fish a week.
I had a couple of small plastic tanks with a cover and a light. It was a couple of gallons. I put in some decorations, no filter, and I didn't use the light much. I don't know how long they are supposed to live, but my last one I had lived all throughout law school (3 years), and it only died during the move here I had some for several years in undergrad, too. It's important to not take out all of their water when you change it. Change half at a time or so and don't do it every other day or anything like that (I think that's why my friends' fish died).
I had some for several years in undergrad, too. It's important to not take out all of their water when you change it. Change half at a time or so and don't do it every other day or anything like that (I think that's why my friends' fish died).
They don't need filters if you clean their tanks enough and let the water sit out. The general rule is under 2 gallons you clean twice a week, 2-4 (I think) gallons once a week, and above that you only do 25% water changes once a week or so. Anything under 4 gallons should be 100% water changes.
I use a heater because the temps were lower then I wanted, but my room is always cold. It really depends on what temps the tank is getting as to whether you need a heater.
They are a murky water fish, so they don't need lights. I only have Gerdy's light on when I'm studying or feeding her, and that's for my own amusement. But as I said, I can't keep it on for long or she starts to attack her reflection.
Edited because I'm getting fish (gallons) and faw feeding (pound) talk mixed up. :rofl1:
I use a heater because the temps were lower then I wanted, but my room is always cold. It really depends on what temps the tank is getting as to whether you need a heater.
They are a murky water fish, so they don't need lights. I only have Gerdy's light on when I'm studying or feeding her, and that's for my own amusement. But as I said, I can't keep it on for long or she starts to attack her reflection.
Edited because I'm getting fish (gallons) and faw feeding (pound) talk mixed up. :rofl1:
I am on a well, Spring fed.. the water is a bit hard but there'd be no chemicals to deal with. I may look a bit closer at tank types the next time I am in town as I'd love to have one!! I like the idea of keeping one fish rather than trying to maintain several different types and balance them all, keep the water at the right levels, and so on... I was very green at keeping fish and once I bought this lovely, very large angel fish who promptly ate up half my tank:yikes:
I have been watching them, nad basically they seem to leave each other alone. I might just slip something between them, just to be sure.
Someone told me my red one, E.T was a pretty young guy. They seem pretty mellow, if fish can be LOL
I got the water conditioner, followed the directions, let the water set for a hour to get room temp, then took the plunge with them. I didnt put any of the water they came in with them, because honestly, it was dirty and nasty. So they started out with fresh, and hopefully seem to be doing ok. Fed them a litte, and they are just chilling.
Im pretty excited, I've wanted fish for along time.
Someone told me my red one, E.T was a pretty young guy. They seem pretty mellow, if fish can be LOL
I got the water conditioner, followed the directions, let the water set for a hour to get room temp, then took the plunge with them. I didnt put any of the water they came in with them, because honestly, it was dirty and nasty. So they started out with fresh, and hopefully seem to be doing ok. Fed them a litte, and they are just chilling.
Im pretty excited, I've wanted fish for along time.
LauraLeigh, this is Gerdy's tank:
I love it. It comes with a filter (it's in the pics, but I opted not to use it and took it out), and an overhead light that has a red and blue cover which makes the tank look pretty cool. It's 1.5 gallons. Got it at Wal-mart, made by Tetra.
With the blue light:
And my Gerdy:
<3
I love it. It comes with a filter (it's in the pics, but I opted not to use it and took it out), and an overhead light that has a red and blue cover which makes the tank look pretty cool. It's 1.5 gallons. Got it at Wal-mart, made by Tetra.
With the blue light:
And my Gerdy:
<3