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February 16th, 2008
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Fish Keeper
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Betta Fever
I have past these beauties a million times fearing that I couldn't give the attention and care they need. But with my 10 gal. tank and a divider, I took the plunge.  The males name is Starburst and he is so handsome! My lady is delicate and very outgoing, her name is Sweet Ums'. I spent all day watching them.  They really do have their own personalities. I'm just so excited. I have read all I could on fishlore about them, but if anyone has anymore suggestions I am more than ready to hear them. I want to do the best by my new fish friends. 
Last edited by kra-z-fishmumm; February 16th, 2008 at 10:33 PM.
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February 16th, 2008
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Master Of Fish Poo!
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Welcome to the Betta club!  I'm sure it won't take you long to see what makes them so appealing.
Well here I go with my Betta recommendations..
1) Flat glass marbles or smooth river rocks for the substrata. Bettas drag those delicate fins along the bottom and the only Bettas we've ever had fin rot with were the 2 who had gravel to begin with. Stacy likes matching the marbles color to each Betta.
2) Vita-Chem - 1 drop per gallon every other day. 
3) Bubbles - they love small bubbles that they can swim through. A gang valve will let you use one air pump for 2 air devices and control how strong the bubble flow is so you can adjust it for each of your bettas. Flexible bubble wands are a big hit with ours.
4) Safe decor - On plants, get either silk or real plants. Watersprite is a great floating plant if you can get some. On 'toys' just check things inside & out so that you can see if there are any rough spots that could snag those fins. They love to have a cave to sleep in.
5) Food - We recommend Betta Pro pellets, 3 in the morning, 3 in the evening and Hikari Frozen bloodworms (3 per feeding). You can use a small rubbermaid container with some treated tap water to thaw a bloodworm cube and keep it in the fridge for up to a week. We also like to feed our betta frozen pea once a week. Thaw it, peel it and feed 2-3 pellet sized pieces. (HINT: Put a dozen peas in a good freezer bag and cook the rest for yourselves or you'll end up throwing most of them away. If they show any signs of freezer burn, toss them.)
Last edited by COBettaCouple; February 16th, 2008 at 10:33 PM.
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February 16th, 2008
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Fish Keeper
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The gravel in the picture, too rough? I have some very nice smooth rocks, kinda big, but some smaller ones too, like the regular small smooth tank gravel. Would that be good? Oh,,, I do have some flat marbels too. Can I mix it up? What kind of cave? My fake one in the big tank is kinda rough. And I will have to go online to buy the Vita- Chem, not even the PS or the PC carries it! Thanks so much for the bloodworm hint,lol, I was hacking  away at it trying to gues how I could possibly determine how much I was giving!
This is soooooo great. I think they are happier and I know I am.  |
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February 16th, 2008
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Master Of Fish Poo!
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That gravel is too rough for us, but we're really out to make sure we have no finrot. You could layer glass marbles over that gravel or if you have a dollar tree, pick up the marbles for $1 per lb.. Most of our marbles came from there. 
The cave we like most for our Bettas are the neon caves they have at wallyworld. They may not be 'natural' but they're smooth and $3. The Bettas love them. Another thing that works as a cave are the hamster igloos - they just need some marbles on the top to keep them from floating.
I forgot to list the most important thing - each day, talk to each Betta for a little bit. They LOVE it and will learn to expect it. 
Last edited by COBettaCouple; February 17th, 2008 at 12:13 AM.
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February 17th, 2008
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Fish Keeper
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he he,,,, my kids think I'm loony (can't argue too much!), but ALL my fish get good mornings, how ya doings, etc... But these bettas, they are the only ones (have had them only a couple of days), who come up to the glass and LOOK at me. I can't believe how they respond (not my imagination right?!). Will lay some nice clear marbles down for them. I like the color of the gravel. Thanks so much. You all make my fish days so much more interesting and a lot less stressful. I'm a worry wart.  |
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February 17th, 2008
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Fish Mentor
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Hi!
I use a Coconut cave for Malachai - and my next Betta is going to have one to.
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February 17th, 2008
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Moderator
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Hi Debbie..
as nice and soft the marbles are, I have to say that IMO the small size gravel you have there would work fine if you didnt want to change it. (You mentioned you like the color of the gravel.) I have the same gravel in one of my betta tanks for almost a year now with no problems of torn fins or fin rot ever.
I have small size gravel in the other two tank as well, for almost a year now, again with no torn fins or fin rot. Just wanted to let you know this, in case you really didnt want to change the look of your tank and that a lot of us have small size gravel in our betta tanks.
Tho, as Dave said.. the marbles, being so smooth are good for bettas as well. My daughter has them in her betta tank too. Guess it can come down to a personal preference, is all.
Good luck with your new bettas, they really do have a personality all to their own as you will find out. And yes.. when they feel the vibrations on the floor that you are coming into the room they go right to the front of the glass. In my case, the girls get right into positions waiting for their pellets lol.... they each have a corner of the tank they go to, to be fed.
They are so silly these wonderful lil guys and gals.
 ~ kate |
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February 17th, 2008
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Fish Master
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Debbie2
he he,,,, my kids think I'm loony (can't argue too much!), but ALL my fish get good mornings, how ya doings, etc... But these bettas, they are the only ones (have had them only a couple of days), who come up to the glass and LOOK at me. I can't believe how they respond (not my imagination right?!). Will lay some nice clear marbles down for them. I like the color of the gravel. Thanks so much. You all make my fish days so much more interesting and a lot less stressful. I'm a worry wart. |
Betta are definite wet pets...you will see their different emotions/expression & get to know what they mean. My 3 are as spoiled as my 4 cats lol. |
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February 17th, 2008
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Fish Keeper
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More Pics; I feel like a new mum Does it look o.k., I really liked the color of the base rocks, so I tried to find smooth marbles that would inhance their color. Is this enough of the smooth ones to help prevent tail problems? Starburst loves the bubbles. He seems so layed back, but he got right into those bubbles and played. Sweet Ums' just investigates everything. She doesn't hesitate a second. Oh, is it ok that she rubs against me?
Last edited by kra-z-fishmumm; February 17th, 2008 at 07:05 PM.
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February 18th, 2008
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Moderator ~ Betta Mommy
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Of course it is okay that she shows her affection by rubbing your hand or occasionally even taking a small nip at you. They do this and it will not hurt them at all. The nipping will not hurt you either. They do it affectionately unless they are frightened and even then they really do not do more than a small kitten would. I always feed my guys their peas off of a clean finger and they occasionally get anxious for the next bite and decide the finger will do if the pea is not there fast enough but it just makes me laugh for being so slow. Handfeeding them is the greatest time for me as it is the time that is OURS. We do not let the world get in our way at this time and it is marvelous.
The more quality time you have with them the more personality you will see them develop and they will soon become real babies and parts of the family.
Good luck and welcome to you all. Congratulations and I do envy you the experiences of being a new betta mommy. There is nothing like it.
Rose
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February 18th, 2008
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Fish Mentor
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Hi!
Wow! That's a lovely Betta tank. I personally always use small gravel - you can grow Java moss which is the bets thing since FD bloodworms for Bettas I heard!
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February 18th, 2008
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Moderator
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Hi Debbbie
both my girls, Precious and Darling let me rub their sides. Its so funny that they do, and I believe they are interacting with me when they do.
My two males on the other hand, will have nothing to do with that lol...
Your little female is gorgeous.. I love all her coloring.. just like a gypsy girl.
~ kate |
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February 18th, 2008
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Fish Newbie
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With my tank I use small marble-like pebbles ( like you use). My Betta is a lazy one. He doesn't move very much. Your bettas look really great. Keep up the Good work. |
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February 18th, 2008
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Fish Keeper
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Happy Betta-Days to you..and your family. Aren't they fun? Your fin-babes  are great looking too, SweetUms color is fab. Starburst may change his tune, my male did a couple of weeks after he was in his 10g. I always have to put him in a fry net, when I clean his tank, cause he always wants to play around! |
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February 18th, 2008
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Master Of Fish Poo!
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They're such beauties!  Things look good in there and you can expect Sweet Ums to get even more colorful in time. It's great that she is an affectionate one - somehow ours just love to nip my fingers. 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Debbie2
More Pics; I feel like a new mum Does it look o.k., I really liked the color of the base rocks, so I tried to find smooth marbles that would inhance their color. Is this enough of the smooth ones to help prevent tail problems? Starburst loves the bubbles. He seems so layed back, but he got right into those bubbles and played. Sweet Ums' just investigates everything. She doesn't hesitate a second. Oh, is it ok that she rubs against me? |
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February 18th, 2008
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Fish Keeper
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Thanks everyone!!! Between my community tank and Starburst & Sweet Ums', my family thinks they have lost me for good  This is all so much fun talking with others who share the same 'fatal attraction' to the fish world. |
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