2 Gallon Tank Brand new beta, Lookin to make it a hobby, help?

Hey there I've got a brand new betta I saved the little guy looked like he was dying the the Wal-Mart container D=! So I brought him home named him Raphael after the red ninja turtle =D and he's a crown-tail beta, I bought him some seeds that grow into live plants for him to hide behind, But the little fella seems to not want to eat and spends all his time at the top of his Tank. I only have the one decoration because the bulbs at the bottom are supposed to grow into what he'll hide behind. Any advice to help him feel healthy?

He currently ha an air-stone or something like that which keeps a lot of bubbles Flowing to the top of the tank, and the light gets warm up there so that may be why he stays up there? air and light? I honestly don't know and I'd like to be a good caregiver for him =P

Here's some pics I guess:





And a closeup of him:

 

to me he looks a little bloated so u can feed him a pea without the outside part and what size is the tank?

 

I tried to feed him the pea and he wouldnt eat it. Ill try again tomarrow and its 1.7 gallons I beleive?

 

a lot of people believe that 2.5g is the minimum for a betta, 1.7g to me is fine as long as it has a filter and heater, btw, is your tank cycled?

 

Good morning Tony and Welcome to Fish Lore!

Congrats on the new betta. Sometimes fish need time to acclimate to their new environment.

Here is a few links on Bettas that you may find helpful:

https://www.fishlore.com/Articles/betta-fish-care-guide.htm




A good place to start is learning about the Aquarium Nitrogen Cycle that is crucial to fish keeping:
https://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm

Best of luck!

Ken

 

Thanks ken, ill check out more of those sites when I get home from school. But as I woke up this morning I was shocked to find that as I slept raph covered the entire top of his tank with bubbles, isn't the cycle thing supposed to take care of bubbles? And now poor raph is leaning on his right side at the top of the tank rather than just sitting up there. I did drop the middles of two peas in there like I said I would today and he got my hopes up like he was going to eat them and he decided theyd go to better use batted around by his tail. Atleast he was energetic? The blue on his sides turned red like the rest of his body but now he has a hint of blue in his tail area?

 

Welcome to FishLore!!

Along with tank size, your aquarium info says the temp is 69F? That's rather cool for a betta. It should be closer to 79-80F.
He might be hanging near the top where the light is giving off a little warmth.

Do you know your readings for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate?
How often are you changing th water?
I notice you don't know about the nitrogen cycle. Please read this link:
Nitrogen cycle
It would be a good idea to get your self a good test kit.
Avoid the strips and invest in a good liquid kit like the API Master Kit.

Please read the links Aquarist48 provided.

Good luck, he's a pretty betta.

 

I just checked his water temp and now its at 75F, and he doesn't even swim around the top like he did an hour or so ago he just lies aroumd amd doesn't move. Not blowing bubbles or anything. And I'm going to try to get one of those test kits ASAP ^.^,I'm unsure if I should leave my airstone thing running or not either

 

Welcome to FL.

Make sure you don't get the test strips. The liquid test kit (API master test kit) costs most up front, but is very worth it. You get MUCH better accuracy, the right tests, and you get more tests in the long run.

The water conditioner most members use is called Prime, if you want to get that too. If you haven't read the nitrogen cycle link, make that a priority.

And I would go ahead and do a large water change with dechlorinator. Does your tank have a filter and a heater?

 

Hey Meenu, It does not have a filter but the light at the top heats up the whole tank near the middle of the day to like 75-82F from what I noticed yesterday, I'm staying home from school today to help the little guy. I went online and ordered some test Strips, but I just canceled them and ordered the liquid test instead. Right now i'm looking for a bigger tank, better filters? He's staying upright for the most part now, but I've noticed its taking a lot of his energy to do so i'm thinking of taking my truck and running him down to the vet and spending the last of my money on getting this guy surgery or something? His colors are getting brighter than the dull lifeless colors he had when I first got him yesterday but I don't know if he's supposed to. I'm unsure of whether to do a water change today or HOW to do one honestly.

 

Until you have a filter, Tony, you should be doing a daily water change that changes pretty much all of the water in the tank. If you are looking for a tank, 5 gallons is great for a betta. If should have a filter and a heater, and tall plants with broad leaves (can be real or silk).

I think you should be able to take a glass and pour most of the water into a bucket, dump it out. Then pour new water into the bucket with dechlorinator and pour it into the tank. Life will be easier, though, if you buy a small gravel vac.

You really need to read the links in the thread about betta care and cycling a tank. Your betta does not have issues that need surgery. He is most likely suffering the ill effects of an uncycled tank, and needs that addressed.

Oh, look for tanks and equipment on craigslist for your area. Make sure your parents are involved before you contact anyone if you are a juvenile.

 

Hey Meenu, It does not have a filter but the light at the top heats up the whole tank near the middle of the day to like 75-82F from what I noticed yesterday, I'm staying home from school today to help the little guy. I went online and ordered some test Strips, but I just canceled them and ordered the liquid test instead. Right now i'm looking for a bigger tank, better filters? He's staying upright for the most part now, but I've noticed its taking a lot of his energy to do so i'm thinking of taking my truck and running him down to the vet and spending the last of my money on getting this guy surgery or something? His colors are getting brighter than the dull lifeless colors he had when I first got him yesterday but I don't know if he's supposed to. I'm unsure of whether to do a water change today or HOW to do one honestly.

Can you get a heater for the tank? Also a filter for the tank?

 

Can you get a heater for the tank? Also a filter for the tank?

I don't know, I could get them if I could add them to my tank I think it has a filter already though, and it's a plastic tank would the heater hurt the tank at all?

 

If his colours are getting brighter, this is usually a good sign, but you will have to make sure you keep his home as clean and toxin free as you possibly can to see him make any recovery.

As meenu said, change his water every day. Take out the old water and replace it with conditioned water, this will lower the concentration of the toxins. Again another great suggestion is the one above to get a heater and filter. Once your filter is cycled, it will get much easier for you and him!

EDIT: No, the heater should be fine, I have heaters in my plastic (acrylic) tanks and they are just fine.

 

Okay I'll look into buying myself a heater today for my tank, if I can find one that'll fit. And how do I go about conditioning water? And do I change all of his water? or just a little of it?

 

I've heard, and always reccommend, to not feed new fish for their first day or two. If food is put into the tank and not eaten, it becomes biological waste that will decompose and create more ammonia in your tank. Ammonia = Fish poison

Water changes are a must! Keep up on those, but make sure to only add Dechlorinated water to your tank. Fish are much more delicate then humans, and even the amount of chlorine that we drink on a daily basis can be toxic to fish! To do a water change you want to change 20-50% of the water in the tank. You also want to make sure the new water is very close to the tempurature of the tank. Rapidly changing water tempuratures stressout a fish and will shorten their lives. Sometimes down to a couple minutes if the tempurature change is too extreme.



Definetly look around for a larger tank with heater/filter. Prime is what I would also recommend for use with dechlorinating your water supply. Prime is nice because it can also reduce ammonia levels.

 

Alright, but how should I go about changing the tanks water, I'm a complete newbie on bettas.

 

Okay I'll look into buying myself a heater today for my tank, if I can find one that'll fit. And how do I go about conditioning water? And do I change all of his water? or just a little of it?

Prime water conditioner is recommended. For water changes get a gravel vacuum and take 30% of the water out. Then get a new clean bucket that has never seen soap or anything like that and fill it up with tap water. Then put the recommended dose of Prime in the bucket. Then put it in the tank. Do this every day.

Once you get a filter the tank will start to cycle. After it cycles you can switch to weekly water changes.

I suggest returning the betta and cycling the tank without fish.
Here is a link on fishless cycling: https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfishforum/threads/four-methods-of-fish-less-cycling.48446/

 

Prime water conditioner is recommended. For water changes get a gravel vacuum and take 30% of the water out. Then get a new clean bucket that has never seen soap or anything like that and fill it up with tap water. Then put the recommended dose of Prime in the bucket. Then put it in the tank. Do this every day.

Once you get a filter the tank will start to cycle. After it cycles you can switch to weekly water changes.

I suggest returning the betta and cycling the tank without fish.
Here is a link on fishless cycling: https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfishforum/threads/four-methods-of-fish-less-cycling.48446/

The Thing is that at wal-mart they "destroy" the fish when you return it. I was going to return it and see if I could get a healthy one and re-buy this one too when it was healthy again after they cured it.. but they told me they have to get rid of fish returns. I couldn't let the little guy just get killed. :/

 

Ew, that's sick!

As long as you do daily changes just like fishingman suggests, then the Prime will keep everything non-toxic while still letting the cycle complete in the background

 

Where can I get ahold of this prime stuff? is there a website I can order it from? I live in the middle fo nowhere with no petco, petsmart or even a pet store close to me. the closest thing is walmart so I have to get all of his supplies online.

 

Since you don't have a gravel vac at this point, I told you in an earlier post how to do a water change now with a bucket and a cup. A very large water change, removing almost all the water. Please go back and read how I had said to do it. He would benefit from the water change now. It was post #11 in this thread.

You won't be able to get this tank cycled. It doesn't have a filter. So rather than worrying about that, you need to do 90-100% water changes daily until you get the filter and heater and larger tank and gravel vac, etc.

you said you ordered the API kit online - you should be able to get prime from the same place.

 

I just did about an 80% water change and I put warmer water in there, and I put him in the water in his wal-mart cup I kept for water changes, so I have him floating in that cup in his tank with his old water so he doesn't have to go through a dramatic change in temperature, I heard that's bad for him. I also dumped all the gravel into a strainer and cleaned it as best I could. without soap or anything. he did like 3 laps around his cup which I hope means he's feeling better? i've noticed he still hasn't eaten and he hasn't gone to the bathroom, so maybe he's constipated? or just has to get used to his new surroundings?

 

Probably getting used to his surroundings. What you did was fine. Never use soap in or around a fish tank or on anything that goes into the tank, so good call on that.

You don't need to rinse the gravel. Once you get a small siphon/gravel vac, you can use that to clean debris.

 

I'm still quite concerned about him, and how far to the top should I fill his tank? just above the tube for his air-stone? or to the top? I'll see if I can find a way to post some pics of how he's looking now

 

Fill it so that he can't jump out of the top if you have no hood, about 2-3 inches from the top. If you have a lid, then fill it to wherever you want it!

 

Oh, it seems Rapheal died while I was writing the last message... v.v Poor guy. :/

 

I'm sorry, Tony.
Which dechlorinator did you use for the water change?

 

I didn't use anything but water, I got the fish yesterday stupidly without planning ahead he just looked so sad in the little container. there were two dead ones next to him so I thought I'd try to save him... seems I failed. :/ Maybe I wasn't cut out to have a betta?

 

Um, I don't know... you seemed to care, but you weren't at all prepared. If you get another, I suggest you read up first. Fish MUST have dechlorinator - putting them in tap water is putting them in poison, since they cannot tolerate chlorine. I'm sorry that happened to you, but please take your time, read up, and get an appropriate set up and supplies before you try again.

 

Well I won't cancel the orders on the primer and liquid set ect, and when all that arrives with the heater and filter I'll go get another and try again ^^ I think I'll let the plants I got for Raph grow while I wait too. And I'll get a new tank if the next one goes well. I don't think I'll try to save a weak looking one next time though... I won't be able to handle another one dying id just get frustrated and give up... Mabe I'll get a female one? they look a lot healthier in stores than the males.

 

It's nothing to do with the sex of the fish, maybe they have not been in the store long enough to get as sick.

Before yo utry again, I strongly suggest you read the FishLore articles accessible from the home page and consult us here to find out exactly what you have to do in order to have a tank ready for a fish, what supplies you will need and everything else you think you missed, we can fill you in on.

When you've done a bit of work, come back here and we can let you know if you have everything you need and give you more info if you need it. Nitrogen cycle is a good place to start. Also have a look for freshwater tank starters, here's the link: https://www.fishlore.com/FirstTankSetup.htm

 

Well I won't cancel the orders on the primer and liquid set ect, and when all that arrives with the heater and filter I'll go get another and try again ^^ I think I'll let the plants I got for Raph grow while I wait too. And I'll get a new tank if the next one goes well. I don't think I'll try to save a weak looking one next time though... I won't be able to handle another one dying id just get frustrated and give up... Mabe I'll get a female one? they look a lot healthier in stores than the males.

Before you get another fish I would do a fishless cycle.

 

It's nothing to do with the sex of the fish, maybe they have not been in the store long enough to get as sick.

Before yo utry again, I strongly suggest you read the FishLore articles accessible from the home page and consult us here to find out exactly what you have to do in order to have a tank ready for a fish, what supplies you will need and everything else you think you missed, we can fill you in on.

When you've done a bit of work, come back here and we can let you know if you have everything you need and give you more info if you need it. Nitrogen cycle is a good place to start. Also have a look for freshwater tank starters, here's the link: https://www.fishlore.com/FirstTankSetup.htm

I've been using the links on this forum post here, and I just placed an order in for a good 25$ filter w/ heater attached that'll fit in this tank ^^ I'm also going to buy a silk plant for my next fishy friend so sleep on near the top of the tank. I've got the tank still set up next to my bed so I could check up on Raphael, but I think ill leave it there for my new fish too, it'll help me remember to feed him and shut off the light at night. Does anyone know how well Aponegeton bulbs/plants work for betas I grabbed some whilst I was at wal-mart.

 

I have a friend who dropped some of the lily bulbs into his tank and they've taken off really well. Not sure about their aponogeton bulbs, but it looks like they're from the same supplier/source, so I would guess they're pretty good too.

 

Okay, great. I'll keep you guys informed too. You've all been really helpful! I hope to one day have as many bettas as you guys and be as intelligent as I can, and even to become an active member of these forums. I'll keep you guys updated on my next betta I get! =D

 

Okay, great. I'll keep you guys informed too. You've all been really helpful! I hope to one day have as many bettas as you guys and be as intelligent as I can, and even to become an active member of these forums. I'll keep you guys updated on my next betta I get! =D

Good Luck!

 

Sounds like you're on the right path.

 

Good luck tony!

 

Oh, it seems Rapheal died while I was writing the last message... v.v Poor guy. :/

I'm so sorry.
RIP Rapheal