Are betta a lot of work?

HI all

Am contemplating entering the betta world. I have a 30L (6G?) tank ordered. I am totally new to Bettas. Are there any big do's and dont's I should know about? I was thinking of the betta living on its own in that tank. Oh, and I did already read the care guide section on this forum.

 

HI there and welcome.

Bettas require some work--not a lot but consistent. First of all since you've read the betta care thing I'll just cut to the chase.

1. Bettas need ideally for you to check them out once or twice a day. They like the attention and it also helps you notice if they are healthy. They should have a nice colour, no weird fuzzy stuff or puffed out scales or odd discolored patches. Their fins should be whole and flowing freely if they are male, extended normally if female.

2. You should watch them eat. Bettas may be finicky about their food or may really enjoy certain foods. If you are feeding them pellets or bloodworms feeding one at a time, giving them time to chew and swallow will help their digestion.

3. Keeping the tank clean at the least requires for the tank size you have a weekly water change and a monthly tank vacuuming and cleaning of whatever equipment is in the tank. That takes maybe half an hour.

4. Don't overfeed them. Probably the number one cause of betta illness.

A betta will probably be fine on its own in that size of tank. At most maybe get a snail but since bettas only rarely eat flake food the snail would have to be fed on its own as well.

 

HI all

Am contemplating entering the betta world. I have a 30L (6G?) tank ordered. I am totally new to Bettas. Are there any big do's and dont's I should know about? I was thinking of the betta living on its own in that tank. Oh, and I did already read the care guide section on this forum.

if shes putting one betta in a 6 gallon doesn't she definetly have room for some loaches or ottos or shrimp..could she get a betta pair like FLBeatta cou[ple

 

OK, so that doesn't sound too scarey. That's already what I do with my mollies. The only thing is attention. I give them laods of attention when am home, but am away 3 to 4 days a week for work, and I doubt the b'friend would pay as much attention as I do. Best wait I think. That's what I've been saying about my job for 5 years! Because of my job, I need to travel all the time and be away 2 to 3 days a week. It's a pain.

 

HI all

Am contemplating entering the betta world. I have a 30L (6G?) tank ordered. I am totally new to Bettas. Are there any big do's and dont's I should know about? I was thinking of the betta living on its own in that tank. Oh, and I did already read the care guide section on this forum.

if shes putting one betta in a 6 gallon doesn't she definetly have room for some loaches or ottos or shrimp..could she get a betta pair like FLBeatta cou[ple

To be honest, if it's happy on its own - without other species I mean, I'd prefer it. A couple would be great, but I guess they'd fight.

 

I doubt the b'friend would pay as much attention as I do.

You should talk to him, you might be surprised!

  My boyfriend is...how do I put it nicely?  Kind of a "typical macho male", I guess.  He can be a bit harsh, and my heart is a whole lot softer than his.  I had wanted fish for the longest time, but he kept saying no and said if I brought any home, he would flush them.   :-\   When he actually bought me a tank, I figured it was because he was just sick of me begging him, and he wanted to shut me up.   He made a big deal about how they were going to be my responsibility, I had to take care of them, etc (okay...DAD!!! ).  When I'm gone though, he takes care of the fish for me.  He really seems to enjoy them, I was very pleasantly surprised!

 

HI all

Am contemplating entering the betta world. I have a 30L (6G?) tank ordered. I am totally new to Bettas. Are there any big do's and dont's I should know about? I was thinking of the betta living on its own in that tank. Oh, and I did already read the care guide section on this forum.

if shes putting one betta in a 6 gallon doesn't she definetly have room for some loaches or ottos or shrimp..could she get a betta pair like FLBeatta cou[ple

To be honest, if it's happy on its own - without other species I mean, I'd prefer it. A couple would be great, but I guess they'd fight.

o no flbettacouple has machai(sp?) couple they can be kept together she just told me..and can be kept with fry..I think your tank would be perfect for a pair of those

 

the mahachaI bettas need special care and tank conditions, including lighting. They're not easy to find either and you would want to really research them well before considering a pair in at least a 10 gallon tank. A 6 gallon would be a good tank for a Betta Splendens, either a male or a female and a couple of little otos.

We feed ours a variety of foods, 2 times a day, 6 days a week. each feeding is half of what we would feed in a day - we split it into 2 feedings to aid their digestion. a pea dinner once a week is good for them too. vitachem is a great thing for their water and they will definitely love every bit of attention you give them.

 

Oh I don't think am about to buy a betta tomorrow. Will do plenty of research. Have learnt my lesson. Actually, still 'testing the water'. I really like the sound of these guys' personnality, but I want to give them a fair life.

So would it be possible to keep 1 male and 1 female together? Seems cruel to completely isolate a fish, but it could be a special case for bettas.

 

Seems cruel to completely isolate a fish, but it could be a special case for bettas.

It's definitely not cruel to isolate a betta. A betta has a lot less stressful of an environment on his or her own. No risk of fighting, no having to share space.

 

No, a male and a female together is only possible if you want a dead female betta. The male will kill the female.

 

No, a male and a female together is only possible if you want a dead female betta. The male will kill the female.

So I guess it is technicall possible... Right, I get the point: big no no to have them share.

 

the Betta Splendens that you buy at the store don't get lonely without other fish - they actually seem to prefer human interaction and ours love to be talked to. You'll find they can get excited when you walk into the room and when you're bringing food over. They'll sit there and soak up attention from you.. doesn't matter what you say and sometimes they'll swim around while you talk, but it's something they love and a good release for us.

 

Roooh. They sound like great fish. Fish that are easier to interpret than other fish, more expressive. When am up and running with the big tank, I'll start thinking about a betta. I already have a decent house for it but it's being used by my fry at the moment.

Do they like a lot of vertical swimming space?

 

They do enjoy some space to do laps, but are more into long tanks than tall. They're curious and love exploring.

 

Oh they sound soooo cool. Like super mollies. I found my mollies were also very curious and interactive with me. Very nosy fish. I love that.

I can feel an underwater castle with lost of holes coming!

 

Oh they sound soooo cool. Like super mollies. I found my mollies were also very curious and interactive with me. Very nosy fish. I love that.

I can feel an underwater castle with lost of holes coming!

Be sure any decorations you get don't have any rough edges inside or out. If it would snag pantyhose, it would snag and tear a betta's fins. You can sometimes use a nail file to smooth out rough edges. They're so curious and love to squeeze into small spaces so consider the size of holes in things. Caves with holes in them seem to be popular with the bettas - fun to swim through and a good place to sleep. They sometimes like swimming under bridges too.

 

Thanks for that! I've started an early mistakes section in the generic section (). That would fit right in there. Although I've made it species-generic so not sure if the sharp edges only applies to bettas.

Actually, it could really do with your input. You'd have lots of stories to tell.

Shouldn't you be in bed?

 

It looks like you're doing pretty good with it. Not all fish need the decorations to be as smooth as bettas.. it really depends on their finnage.

I get up early.