I finally got another betta!

My 10 gallon tank cycled a few weeks ago, so I’ve been looking for betta friends to occupy it! I was originally going to try ordering online, but my parents said they’d rather not deal with shipping stress oh well, maybe another time! My mom and I were both feeling kinda bored today, so we decided to get out of the house and look at the pet store. Well…. I saw an assorted female betta, and I couldn’t resist her! She was pretty washed out and had some stress stripes, but she looks healthy, has good form, and was super spunky and active. I could even see some alien patterns on her dorsal and tail fins! I quickly snatched her up and brought her home with me. One of the best parts is that she was only $4..!
Here’s a crummy photo of her, she moves around so much that it was hard to take a good one. She’s mostly settled into her temporary setup (I will be keeping her in there for a few days to make sure she’s healthy and let her settle in a bit). I’m thinking of naming her Stella or Esme, not sure yet.. I could also name her Pixie, Freya, Valkyrie, or Hope.. so many options I’ll try to get a better pic of her when she’s not so skittish!

 

Leia, Padme, Arowyn, Michonne, etc.

 

My 10 gallon tank finally cycled a few weeks ago, so I’ve been looking for betta friends to occupy it! I was originally going to try ordering online, but my parents said they’d rather not deal with shipping stress oh well, maybe another time! My mom and I were both feeling kinda bored today, so we decided to get out of the house and look at the pet store. Well…. I saw an assorted female betta, and I couldn’t resist her! She was pretty washed out and had some stress stripes, but she looks healthy, has good form, and was super spunky and active. I could even see some alien patterns on her dorsal and tail fins! I quickly snatched her up and brought her home with me. One of the best parts is that she was only $4..! View attachment 823656 Here’s a crummy photo of her, she moves around so much that it was hard to take a good one. She’s mostly settled into her temporary setup (I will be keeping her in there for a few days to make sure she’s healthy and let her settle in a bit). I’m thinking of naming her Stella or Esme, not sure yet.. I could also name her Pixie, Freya, Valkyrie, or Hope.. so many options I’ll try to get a better pic of her when she’s not so skittish!

Some places sell bettas so cheaply, I got mine for $2

 

I still haven’t managed to get a good picture of her- she’s so shy now that she’s in something other than her betta cup… I’m a bit concerned because she spooked last night when I tried to feed her and wouldn’t eat, so I just let her be to settle in.. this morning I peeked at her to make sure she was doing ok and she darted under a plant leaf. I‘ve never seen a betta this shy, all of my other ones settled in right away… I might just leave her alone today and not check on her to give her some more quiet time :/ any thoughts as to why she’s acting so skittish?

 

Update: I finally got her to eat a little bit! I moved very slowly so I didn’t spook her and used a syringe to squirt some frozen bloodworms in there.. she gobbled them right up! She‘s still very cautious and skittish, I did spook her once but she came right back out for more food a couple minutes later. She looks to be coloring up a very nice blue/ gray/ green/ lavender, but I still can’t tell all the way.. I’m thinking either Echo, Fey, or Serafina (Fina for short) would be cute names. I have a good feeling about her once I get her into her permanent home and she settles in a little bit more she looks very pretty and I like her temperament (or what I’ve seen of it anyway) a lot, even though she is a bit shy.

 

I love the name Echo It's what I named one of my goats. But Fey and Serafina are awesome names too!

 

I love Serafina! Gives me nostalgia from the Barbie movie version of Princess and the Pauper

 

I feel so bad for not posting pics of her I just can’t get a good picture! She’s so shy that if I move too quickly she’ll startle and dart away.. I can barely see her myself, even, because she’s still in the quarantine tank! She seems to be taking her food well though. I’ll move her to the 10 gallon in a bit because as far as I can tell, she looks pretty healthy!

 

Have you tried to keep her tank dark for the whole day? Just a suggestion because my newest boy was very stressed and skittish when I got him. That day I put some cardboard around, and a towel over his temp tank. The next morning was still pretty shy, but did come around to eating.

 

Any photos yet?

 

I love Echo for a name for her. My male betta is also on the shyer side and I found feeding him with tongs to work well. He's a lot more comfortable with tongs than my hand or a syringe I've found. Between patrols he hides/rests so I've even taught him that two taps with the tongs in the water = feeding time and he darts out to the front of the tank.

 

I’ll try to get a photo of her tomorrow! I’m thinking Echo as well, it’s just such a pretty name I’ll decide when I can finally get her in the 10 gallon because I can’t see her very well even when she’s out in the open (which is a lot more often now; I think she’s come to associate me with food lol)

 

I’ll try to get a photo of her tomorrow! I’m thinking Echo as well, it’s just such a pretty name I’ll decide when I can finally get her in the 10 gallon because I can’t see her very well even when she’s out in the open (which is a lot more often now; I think she’s come to associate me with food lol)

Not sure how you move your fish, but especially for a shy betta I would recommend using a cup. I use the clear plastic cup my male came in if I need to move him. He doesn't seem as stressed vs when I try to catch him with a net. Plus the cup won't damage her fins or slime coat at all.

 

Not sure how you move your fish, but especially for a shy betta I would recommend using a cup. I use the clear plastic cup my male came in if I need to move him. He doesn't seem as stressed vs when I try to catch him with a net. Plus the cup won't damage her fins or slime coat at all.

Thank you so much, will do!

 

Update: I finally got her in the tank! She looks like she may have a bit of ammonia burn, but she seems perfectly healthy besides that and I’m confident it will go away in a few days. She’s a lovely blue-purple with red ventral fins, and she has faint alien patterns on her fins. She’s so pretty! I’m so glad to finally have her in the tank. I still haven’t decided what to name her!
Sorry for the bad photo quality… she does not like posing for the camera lol. I’ll try to get more when she’s settled in a bit!
She’s very sassy and likes to attack the bladder snails and moss

 

My female was shy at first, too. She's gotten much better now that she associates me and me dipping my finger in her tank with food.

Do you have a pic of your whole tank? From what I see I'd like to see more

 

My female was shy at first, too. She's gotten much better now that she associates me and me dipping my finger in her tank with food.

Do you have a pic of your whole tank? From what I see I'd like to see more

Sure, here it is! Not the best aqua scape ever, but I like it a lot and am pretty proud of it

 

Sure, here it is! Not the best aqua scape ever, but I like it a lot and am pretty proud of it View attachment 824474

Thanks!
Is that one of those Pothos plants I'm always reading about? In the upper right?

I like your scape a lot. Especially because I always read about a "flow". Everything leaning in one direction, or the rock's texture always facing in the same direction. But I try to have a contrast. Something that doesn't fit. Whether it belongs or not, lol.
I like your driftwood breaking the surface out both ends of your tank. And only one has the plant. Really like that.

 

Thank you! Yeah, it’s a pothos it’s doing pretty well in there!

 

I think I finally decided on a suitable name for her: Andromeda! Maybe I could call her Eda for short..? I am a bit concerned because I can see a small white dot near her butt, but it doesn’t seem to be bothering her (she’s eating and acting normally, not itching or rubbing, not overly skinny or obese, etc.) I’m wondering if it’s just a strange marking or if I should be worried? Edit: after further research I’m pretty sure it’s just an egg spot, haha. I’m very new to bettas and still learning things every day!