fisharefriends

We bought a new betta about two weeks ago, and he is doing very well in a ten gallon tank with four african dwarf frogs for buddies. We do not heat or filter the tank, we feed them frozen blood worms, they all eat them up. My question is, do we need anything else in the tank, like an under gravel filter? I have had bettas for many years now, and it seems we never find the perfect home for them. We are already attached to this guy, my daughter named him Red Moe. Also, what else besides those store betta pellets do they like to eat? He loves the blood worms, but I would like to give him a variety. And last, how often should we feed? I have heard conflicting stories on this, we now give them a little pinch of worms every night and they seem to eat them all. Thanks and sorry for so many questions!

angelfish220

Bettas are TROPICAL fish. They NEED heaters AND filters. Hikari betta pellets are what I use. Give him a little bit of pea weekly as well. All of My bettas have loved eating little bits of garlic as well.

Lucy

I agree with angelfish

Someone said yesterday that you should have 1g of water per African dwarf frog, however, through my reading, the consensus seemed to be 2.5g per frog. I'd much rather err on the side of caution, so in my opnion, and I very well could be wrong, your tank is overstocked.

Good luck, as time passes, I'd be much interested in how your tank handles the bio-load, you can never learn too much

MinxMermaid

welcome to fishlore!!!

we found these really nice little hang in the tank filters that we use on our betta divided tanks, you could add one of those and a small heater in the winter. (with the heat right now, we have all our heaters off)

as for the feeding, we feed our bettas, 3 little hikari pellets in the morning and 4 bloodworms at night.

we fortify them with the "miracle 3" (see other posts on this)

0morrokh

Here's an article that covers most of what you need to know about Betta care. Welcome and Betta Care Guide - Please Read First!!!

COBettaCouple

Welcome to Fishlore.

A heater and filter would be needed for any tropical fish. The ADFs could use that too, although the Betta would be best in his own tank. Don't get a UGF, Bettas often sleep on the bottom of the tank and swim along the bottom often. A HOB filter, like a Penquin Bio-Wheel or Aquaclear would do a much better job for you.

fisharefriends

Thank you all for your interesting advice. What you have told me is very different from any of the many fish distributers in my area, but trust me, I take their advice very lightly. I had a violent allegic reaction to the blood worms last night, has anyone ever had this? My eye completly swelled shut...now someone else has taken over the job of feeding that particular food. I also will be putting one of my filters and a heater in our betta tank. Maybe I will move some of the frogs too. The betta is doing well, he is making a nice little bubble nest at the surface. Thanks! (Oh and by the way, I hope the "stupid people" quote above was not in reference to me, in my experience stupid people do not seek advice, they just blunder on in their blind ways

welshalien

Welcome! I've never (yet) had a reaction to the blood worms but I've heard of others having it.
Sounds like your betta is happy and healthy since he's bubble nesting! What's your little guy's name? Do you have pictures?
The stupid people quote is part of angelfish220's signature and wasn't in reference to you. I've never seen name calling on this forum when somebody asks a question! I've found everyone to be knowledgeable, helpful and extremely supportive of each other.

Kelly

Lonely Angel

Congrats on your new betta! Do you have pictures? We all love to see pictures of these handsome betta boys!

I've never had problems with bloodworms, but I know my jar of dried bloodworms has a warning printed on the label saying it could cause an allergic reaction.

And regarding the "stupid people" quote, as welshalien said, it's just a signature that appears beneath every post angelfish220 makes (like mine is a picture of my bettas) so it has absolutely nothing to do with you! I think you'll find that the folks on fishlore are very kind and helpful, and would never intentionally insult someone. Besides, you have given your betta a large tank, checked with experienced people to see if you're doing everything correctly, and seem open to accepting help to make your betta's life the best it can be - you are by no means a stupid person! In fact, I congratulate you on all of that, as many fish owners sadly do not treat their fish as living creatures.

fisharefriends

Duh, I should have realized it was not directed at me (the stupid people thing). I was fealing really out of it from taking antihistamines for the blood worm reaction. I am going to try to post pics soon, he is an active little guy so all I have so far is blurry pics. Thanks everybody, I love this website so far. I have now learned far more than I ever knew about Bettas, my all time favorite fish!

COBettaCouple

Both Stacy and myself have allergic reaction to touching the freeze dried bloodworms but for some reason have no reaction to thawed, frozen ones.

0morrokh

I've heard it's something to do with the dust...I don't ever have a reaction to bloodworms per se but they often will make me sneeze.

Lucy

Wow, sorry you had a reaction, I hope you're doing better.
A bubble nest, how cute! He must be a happy little man.

It's wonderful when people want to learn about the souls we've chosen to care for. You've asked questions and taking the advise by doing the best for Red Moe.

There's warning on mine too, I don't touch them, I use tweezers.

Yes! Yes, we want to see pictures.