Atison's Betta Spa - Has anyone used it ??

???

Since I had to make the most of the $9.00 shipping on my last F&S order, I added some Atison's Betta Spa to my every growing repetoire of medications and potions. It has almod leaf extract, which among other amazing ( ya right) things, binds ammonia, has antibacterial qualities,lowers the PH, blah, blah, blah...but it discolours the water - well colours it brownee I think so it is "more natural" for the betta. Probably looks like tea, I don't think I would like that. Seems to me I saw a posting on it on this board once, ............

However, if anyone has any experiences that involve miracle cures, I may eventually give it a try. Thanks. Val

 

I want to order some of that too but I will probably not use it at it's full dose since I don't want dark brown water. I will add it in small amounts, over the course of a couple days to give the fish the chance to get used to it. That's what you should try.

 

I haven't used it myself, but I think I read that Rose has. If I remember correctly she said that her little guys didn't like the discolored water. But maybe if you do it gradually like Phlox says they won't even notice. I have seen on other websites that some breeders use the almond leaves all the time with good results.

 

I have some and have been using it. I use 10 ml for Spartacus's 5 gallon tank. It's good for them and is found in their natural waters.

I just found a correlation between the Indian Almond Leaf and disease. The Betta spa (Indian Almond Leaf) has tannins in it, that's what colors your water. The same thing that's in driftwood. The tannins are harmless and in fact have antibacterial properties. There's been a link found between those tannins and health. Fish that naturally thrive in waters containing driftwood and other tannins (such as Bettas and Indian Almond Leaf) are naturally resistant to disease. I think our fish club's guest speaker, who was talking about Killifish, said this. That those same types of fish, when not in those waters with the tannins, tend to get sick and disease much more frequently than ones in their own natural waters. I'm wondering if this is why Spartacus's fin rot won't go away. Ironically, since I've been adding the Betta Spa, his tail now seems to be healing again. I'm also going to find a small piece of driftwood to add to his tank. ( I like the look of it better and will be able to anchor down my Java Fern.)

Coincidence or not, I'm a believer in the tannin/disease resistance link.

 

That is very interesting information, thanks for sharing. Please keep us posted about Spartacus' progress. I'm wondering if this is something that would be beneficial for Cujo, since it is natural and I don't want to medicate him anymore.

 

yea, we're finding more organic and herbal treatments for our Bettas and other fish so we can use harsher meds less & less.. we'll be eager to see how it works for you and might add that to our fish cabinet as well.

 

I have some and have been using it. I use 10 ml for Spartacus's 5 gallon tank. It's good for them and is found in their natural waters.

I don't know if you read in the other post I did this morning or yesterday, but right after I posted, Neptunes tail frayed again. (!!!) Go figure....every time I tell someone he is healing or write it in a post, it refrays. Anyway, it is what it is, but I may try that in his Q tank for a while until his tank is done the neverending cycle.

Is your water brown? Do you use Vita Chem as well?? How long have you been using it? It may even have been your thread I read a while back. Please keep me posted over the next week or so...Neptune is due for a water change around Wed or Thur so I may add it then. A crystal clear tank looks so neat, however, in the Q I wouldn't mind for a while. Spartacus' tank is not cycled is it? Or is it?? I was thinking we were both having all the same problems, and now I think JendayI & Cujo are also. Val

 

Technically it is more for people who use the little betta bowls, but does not hurt a filtered and cycled tank and please do not think that this is natural for these bettas. The bettas we own have never been in any way related to the bettas who live in pools or puddles that have almond leaves floating in them in the rice paddies. I just had one horrid argument at the Petco store in Lincoln and nearly got escorted from the store the last time I was there when I heard that bunch of nonsense. Almond leaf extract will not hurt our bettas and yes it does have helpful qualities but it is not the back to nature product it is held up to be. It will also promote your bettas desire to mate if you add too much so for those of you who have divided tanks with Male/Female set-ups be careful about the concentrations you use or you may have them stressing over trying to get to each other to spawn.

It is a good product and good for antibiotic use but will not treat an infection that is already there. It is a preventitive instead. It binds ammonia but as I said this is advertised mainly for use in the "betta bowls and containers with no filters" Atison's makes an excellent Betta food line but also does not go along with the idea that bettas need warm, filtered homes. They sell small square plastic containers for them to be housed in just like a lot of the other idiots. While I do buy their foods, I do not agree with their ideas on betta life or treatment so be aware that the suggestions they make may not be in your bettas best interest. I also believe there was also a post somewhere here the other day where someone posted that the IBC had a post from them about Betta Fighting. I believe they do also condone this.

Rose

 

Thanks Rose, I remember reading the story of your incident at the pet store ( You go girl) It is one of my favourite stories. I trust what you say about this product, and I am not trying to get my bettas to breed..........I also don';t like the idea of brown water. My betta kids like clean and clear. Might use it some day..today isn't the day. Val

 

If you don't use the whole 20 ml of it,(which is the amount used to condition them to breed, it really doesn't darken the water that much. I use 10 ml in mine (the amount to maintain them with) and you wouldn't even notice the color that much if it wasn't right next to my 20 gallon, which has tons of light for my plants. Personally, I find it's good for them as it has trace elements in the water, too. And, if you want to get technical about it not being "back to nature", well then neither is Spartacus being in a 5 gallon tank, either. In fact, pet shop Bettas are raised in tiny containers and stay in there until they're sold, so if you want to get technical about it then keeping them in larger tanks isn't "natural" for them, either. All of our Bettas descended from the wild ones, they still carry the genes that make them Bettas regardless of how they're raised or housed. Either way it's not going to hurt them, and you can put in as little as you want.

I've been on several different forums and talked to experienced Betta breeders in the areas where the Indian Almond leaf is found and they use it. The choice is yours though, but I'd do more research on it instead of taking the words of one person on one forum. And that goes for everything by the way so I'm not trying to single out anyone. Always research for yourself.

 

We just ordered some for our MahachaI pair - their breeder recommended it to help get their tank water to the tannish, brackish conditions they like to live in.

 

As I and many others on this forum have said on numerous occasions, everyone is always and forever the last and final authority on what they will do in their own tank. I can and do only give my own experience and knowledge and research on the subjects that I answer about and if I do not know something I will say so. There are a lot of things I have not tried, this does not happen to be one of them and the opinions I gave do not even happen to be mine so much as those of my bettas. Now, I do not know about you but I really do not think that there are many human experts out there that I will listen to over the likes and dislikes of my bettas in my own tanks. This DOES NOT MEAN that you or anyone else should not use it. I stated that it is a fine product, but MY BETTAS did not like it and I am not going to force it on them. I do not consider that influencing anyone to do anything that they should not.

Of course, it is the responsibility of everyone to research for themselves, I have never said otherwise, but I find it a bit tacky to refer people to other forums when you are on this one. I believe it is a violation of forum etiquette. Our members are smart and discerning individuals who can figure out how to think for themselves without me telling them to or anyone else either.

Rose

 

I think i'd only consider using it with the mahachai. Re-reading the posts on this AFTER ordering , it's the last time i'd order it though if that company condones betta fighting. Looks like I'll need to find some indian almond leaves to order or keep using green tea leaves.

 

Contact Miami Aquariums and see if they will order you a supply of the Almond Leaves and just use them and forget the Betta Spa.  Almost any Transhipper uses them and will get you a supply if you ask. You used to be able to buy them on eBay, maybe you still can.

Rose

 

Rose, I don't see how referring people to another source of information is considered "tacky". I've learned that when it comes to the fish world, even the most experienced people can still get stumped. By exposing people to other sources of information with others who may have tried other methods or who may know a little bit more but are on a different forum, I believe it can be a win/win situation for the Betta. In fact, I think it's tacky to be offended when another source is recommended. This forum has helped me a little bit, but I discovered a different forum for local fish enthusiasts in my area, and I've learned so much more than could ever be learned on all the other forums I'm on. If I depended on soley one forum I would have missed out on a lot. It's selfish to try and tell people that only one forum is good enough, because it's not. You have to look around and talk to other people, just like the saying goes "Two heads are better than one", it can also be applied to online forums.

I'm not trying to say this forum isn't good enough. For example, if I want to learn all I can about Bettas I wouldn't just go out and buy one book and only one book. I'd buy several books and join several forums to get a consensus about things such as food, habitat, etc. Some books may not have accurate information and if that happened to be the book I bought, then I'd come to believe that they can live their lives in tiny little cups or something else along those lines.

Please don't be offended by me offering another source of information. It's just that, another source.

 

The particular source that we are speaking of is being offered as a source of information and is in actuality mostly a commercial source of income for this person.  She wants to make money off of her advice and I know this personally as I fell into the situation.  We have newbies on this forum and they deserve to know this before they are sent there.  If they are sent there for information and the help they are offered involves purchasing the supplies that are offered only through her then it is a bit of a trap.  She also will go so far in helping with sick fish and then want you to purchase a telephone consultation.  I am not slandering her, I had this experience when I was a younger betta keeper too.  If you want to go to her website and get off of it what you can then do it, but be aware that this happens and if you are going to recommend a site to someone else on this forum be sure that if they are a commercial establishment that they are identified as such.  It is not fair that we had to withdraw the priviledge of Miami Aquariums to post their offer to visit their site when they were at least up front about being commercial and then allow this person to come in through a back door and send people there not knowing that they are being sent to a "store".  When others have mentioned sites that are for supplies and merchandise that is exactly what they call it, not informational.

I am not calling you down, it is a problem that I have with her.  She is a bit two sided in her presentation and it is not something I can simply let happen here without at least giving those who are not familiar with her a warning.  ANYONE who STILL WISHES to visit her site with the information and knowledge given, HAS THE PERFECT RIGHT TO DO SO.  I AM NOT SAYING NOT TO GO I JUST WANT THEM TO KNOW WHAT THE SITUATION IS. 

Rose

 

Wow, I think that tirade was meant for me and not EskieLvr

 

I am sorry it is not meant to be a tirade, but it is a part of being a moderator in my opinion to see that things that may be misconstrued by the newer or younger members are fully explained and this was one of the truly very bad experiences that happened to me and cost me a great deal of money for very little return in the first little while of being a betta owner. The selling of hope is a sad thing. Betta medication and supplies are not cheap and to add to them things that can be purchased elsewhere for much less and with more effectiveness is even sadder.

Rose

 

Ok, I went on a closing LFS and got me a bottle of Attison's betta spa for 2 bucks! since I saw it in the list of betta meds I figured it couldnt hurt.

I read the label and understand that it is supossed to make the water "conditioned" specially for betta needs. I also understand the almond thing.. but other than that, what is it good for?

is it good as an antibacterial? vitamin suplement? (aside from calcium) also it says that it "lowers" the ph and binds ammonia... these two things concern me, the ammonia for obvious reasons, unless it works like prime in which case there would be no problem. the PH because I plan on keeping a snail in the tank with the betta and I know that snails need more than a 7.0 ph in order for their shells to be ok.

any light on the topic would be greatly appreciated!

 

I've only used it with wild bettas, to put tannins in the water.

 

when I had fin issues from rafikkI flying on the floor, and omone getting over the divider, if I remember correctly, betta spa wasn't reacommended for labyrinth fish .....it affected the organs with long term use...but don't quote me..cant find that thread to save my life LOL

 

Here are a couple of threadfs that refer to Betta Spa.





https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfishforum/threads/list-of-betta-meds-for-betta-disease.16170/

I hope they help.

 

Here are a couple of threadfs that refer to Betta Spa.





https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfishforum/threads/list-of-betta-meds-for-betta-disease.16170/

I hope they help.

ty lucy!! bettafix was what I was thinking of..so many darn meds...

 

It's a water conditioner that contains wild almond leaf extract. It comes in a pretty weird looking bottle and is a rich brown. It's suppose to mimic their natural environment. An employee at a pet store said she used it with much success on her bettas. I tried it on my roommates betta, a very sad looking fish in a gallon bowl, and he seemed to have a fairly decent response. He usually just sits on the bottom, but this extract got him to swim around a bit before sitting back down.

I guess I was just wondering if anyone had used this product, or a product like it, and what they thought about it.

 

Most water conditioners are just that... they condition the water not the fish... some even use salt to promote a slime coat response on the fish, this works but it isn't very nice to the fish. At any rate a water conditioner is not a substitute for a proper size aquarium, filtration, and heated water!

 

Pretty much, it adds tannins to the water, may lower the pH a little. I've never tried Betta Spa, but have used almond leaves in spawning.
The idea is very similar to blackwater extract, only specific to a type of plant (Indian Almond) that tend to grow in habitats bettas are found in the wild.

Definitely not a substitute for good water quality and care. Mostly, these sorts of products are helpful with difficult spawners, and some wilds seem to do better with the added tannins, though the almond leaves are supposed to have mild antibacterial/antifungal properties as well, and some people swear they help speed wound healing. It's certainly not going to hurt to use it, but I can't say that outside the realm of breeding it's really all that beneficial (and even for breeding help the jury's still out as to whether these things make a difference of if the fish just like to mess with our heads... ).

 

I guess what I forgot to mention is that I have a tank that is just over 3 gallons, and it has a water heater and an air pump. The gravel is pretty thin, but I'm going to try to add a plant or two. I planned on using the extract as a supplement every now and then while doing water changes. I was hoping it might help with color.

 

It probably won't do a whole lot for coloration, since it is only really affecting the pH, if you want better coloration then you should feed a wide variety of good quality foods, its also much healthier for your fish =)

 

as long as there isn't a filter and a heater in the cycled 3 gallons the betta will not have any significant improvement.

I have used the betta spa, in lower amounts... (enough to have a hint of it in the water but not so much that it makes it look brown). and my boy seems to like it, he is more active, and makes bubble nests the night after I add it!

The reason why you see a short-time response is that the betta spa locks ammonia for a period of time. And your friends betta must be suffering from ammonia poisoning in that non-filtered, non-cycled 1 gallon bowl.

 

I've only used it with wild bettas and didn't really see a difference from it.

 

Has anyone here used Atison's Betta SPA? I was just curious as to what you thought of it.

 

Sorry no one has gotten back to you about this! I have never used betta spa, but I am seriously thinking about using it due to some issues with the indian almond leaves. I personally have heard good things about the betta spa...

 

haven't used it but did find this thread for you

 

haven't used it but did find this thread for you

Oh, thanks. I didn't even look. Unobservant me!

 

I'm looking to buy Atison's Betta SPA for my betta, but neither petco or petsmart or the near by aquarium carry them, the only site I seen carrying it is petdiscounters, so are they legit? or good to buy online from?

 

Hello Sevenbetta and Welcome to Fish Lore!

I have moved your thread to the Betta section of the forum to help you to receive more responses.

I hope you enjoy the site!

Ken

 

I have no idea what that is but I'd try Ebay.

 

A few members have used this in the past, I hope they can shed some light on where they got it from.

 

I strongly oppose the use of any Atison products due to the fact that Atison actively advertises bettas for fighting on their web site. They make good products, but I feel the need to make people aware of this before they choose to give their money to this company.

 

Good morning,

You may find the above link helpful

Ken