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June 1st, 2008
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Fish Helper
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Thank You!
I’ve been bitten by the betta bug! I’ve had fish off and on since I was a child … I’m in an “ON” phase big time right now! Have never had a betta.
Then a few weeks ago, I went into my LFS to get a new filter for my 29g tank. I always look at all the fish just to see what they have and I always look at the bettas even though I’ve never had any interest. Well, that day was different. This one little boy caught my eye. He seemed oddly colored compared to the other fish and he was the only one who showed any interest in me. The others were completely oblivious. We stared at each other for a couple of minutes and I moved on to the filters. After the filter selection, I found myself back face to face with the betta. He really did look pathetic – fins all clamped with that weird gold color to his body. But he had an attitude and he came home with me.
I had a 1.5 gallon tank I’d been using to temporarily house some baby platies sitting empty on my kitchen counter. I’d always heard that betta could be kept in small tanks with no heat or filtration and in he went. Then I started reading on this forum and realized he wasn’t much better off in the 1.5g tank than he’d been in his cup. The water was cold and he didn’t move around much. No filtration. BAD BETTA MOMMY!
We start our own garden plants from seed so I grabbed one of the seed-starter heating pads and put it under his tank. Raised the temperature 10 degrees. Still not warm enough but way better than before. The next day, I bought a 10 gallon tank, brought it home and set it up. I used the filter media from one of my established tanks and a panty hose bag of gravel from the other tank as well. A short mini-cycle later, I transferred my betta, now named Raymond (because everybody loves him!).
What a difference! His fins unclamped, he began swimming around and acting like a big guy. He now has a sterba cory cat as a roommate and has been building bubble nests like a mad man! I have ordered some Vita-Chem and Garlic Guard based on what I’ve read and I’ve actually been thinking of getting another betta! Thank you guys SOOOOO much for all the information you have given me as I lurked here (Raymond thanks you too!).
Kelly
p.s sorry the photos aren't better -- he's a wiggler!
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June 1st, 2008
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Moderator
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 Welcome to Fish Lore
 Nice save! Wiggley Raymond is a beautiful betta.
Isn't the transformation amazing once they get into a nice tank?
 And the powers they have when they pick us to take them home.......uncanny. lol |
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June 1st, 2008
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Moderator
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Such a beautiful excuse me Handsome Raymond too 
Carol |
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June 1st, 2008
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Fish Keeper
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Kelly, i could hug you!! TY girl for saving such a betta. Proud of you!!!
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June 1st, 2008
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Fish Helper
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Welcome!
That's an awsome colored betta. I am so glad he was rescued by such a nice person.
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June 1st, 2008
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Moderator ~ Betta Mommy
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 Raymond such a tranformation!! He hardly looks like the same fish! I am so proud of you both. Raymond you knew who to wiggle at and you definitely knew when to find yourself a quality boy betta. He is a keeper for sure.
He is unique and such a fine color combination. I just love his pattern. I do not think I have seen a Dalmation with such large spots before. He is a darling little guy.
Welcome and may he be just your first "potato chip"( you know bettas are like potato chips you can never have just onel.)
Rose
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June 1st, 2008
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Fish Keeper
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Very nice If you do have the chance, you may want to add a friend or two for your Cory. |
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June 1st, 2008
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Fish Master
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welcome to fishlore raymond!! and of course you kelly he is really an amazing handsome boy..thanks for sharing him! |
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June 2nd, 2008
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Master Of Fish Poo!
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Don't say 'chip' around a UK Betta! 
Quote:
Originally Posted by chickadee
Welcome and may he be just your first "potato chip"( you know bettas are like potato chips you can never have just onel.)
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Welcome to Fishlore & congrats on rescuing that handsome Betta boy! |
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June 2nd, 2008
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Fish Helper
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KonaBoy
Very nice If you do have the chance, you may want to add a friend or two for your Cory. |
I want to give the cat some playmates but once I start adding fish, I have a dreadful time stopping and I'm trying very hard to be better about overcrowding my tanks! Maybe if I walk into the LFS with $10 and no credit cards.....
Kelly |
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June 2nd, 2008
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Fish Helper
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chickadee
Raymond such a tranformation!! He hardly looks like the same fish! I am so proud of you both. Raymond you knew who to wiggle at and you definitely knew when to find yourself a quality boy betta. He is a keeper for sure.
He is unique and such a fine color combination. I just love his pattern. I do not think I have seen a Dalmation with such large spots before. He is a darling little guy.
Welcome and may he be just your first "potato chip"( you know bettas are like potato chips you can never have just onel.)
Rose
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Thank you, Rose, for identifying his coloration for me....I had figured out that he's a veil tail but wasn't aware that there was a special term for his coloring -- should have known better!
Kelly |
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June 2nd, 2008
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Fish Helper
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Great story! Great-looking betta boy!! Love his name too!!
I rescued one from a cup a few weeks ago too. I've since rescued another one and am now saving my pennies  so I can get a 20 gallon long to divide up and house more bettas in.
Be careful, these little guys (and gals) are addicting!!! |
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June 2nd, 2008
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Fish Keeper
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He's so pretty!!
And I love the name too, its so creative!
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June 5th, 2008
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Fish Helper
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KonaBoy
Very nice If you do have the chance, you may want to add a friend or two for your Cory. |
Quote:
Originally Posted by welshalien
I want to give the cat some playmates but once I start adding fish, I have a dreadful time stopping and I'm trying very hard to be better about overcrowding my tanks! Maybe if I walk into the LFS with $10 and no credit cards.....
Kelly |
ok -- just wanted to let you know I have added 2 pygmy cories to keep the Sterbai company. I also got another panda to go with the 2 in my 29g....I told you I'm not safe in that darn store! When my husband rolled his eyes at me, I told him "they told me to get more fish" (meaning you guys!). Of course he thought I meant "the voices". |
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June 5th, 2008
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Fish Keeper
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Those voices always tell me that I need more tanks and fish too! |
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