I think betta is unhappy about something...

Hi!

Well, it's been about a week since MalachaI lost his light. I needed it for my other hobby - houseplants and it's not going to be finished with anytime soon. I figured he could survive without light...

But, all the time I've had him in his 3gal he's been going up and down the front of the tank, now according to Dave this means he want attention. I really hate having him in there - but I desperately need my 7.5gal for an RCS colony to get some cash for myself. I've been asking my mum and dad if I can get him a new Gooseneck (Rose - I found an adjustment that stopped him seeing his reflection!) but they just forget.

Also, I'm stuck on how to make him happy toy-wise as well. I'm going to try giving his tank a Make-over, I like Lalyna's similarly sized Asian style tank she submitted for last month Aquarium of the month. Any ideas on a cool tank that will give MalachaI sources of entertainment other than me?

 

Hatch, I just want to say that ive seen posted here somewhere, that you are 11..your intelligence amazes me...not to mention your love for animals...wish I had ideas for ya, but I'm so new to this...goodluck

 

Hatch, I just want to say that ive seen posted here somewhere, that you are 11..your intelligence amazes me...not to mention your love for animals

Shawnie, I have to agree, he's an impressive young man.

 

Hi!

Thanks Lucy and Shawnie!x

I managed to get dad to dig out his old light... It's so nice to be able to play 'catch the finger' with MalachaI again without debating whever he's acctualy trying to catch it?! It's the right shape and all! Now I have to entertain this little guy...

 

Hatch, I am so glad. I know that you love Malachai. He is so important to you and you care deeply for him and I know that it distressed you that he was unhappy. His happiness means a lot to you and you know that he is a very social little guy and needs your attention and you are absolutely the best toy he has. He needs your attention more than anything else to play with. He craves attention from you and loves you more than you will ever possibly realize. Bettas identify with their owners more than with other fish as they realize that their owners are the ones who have taken them from the environments they were in and given them a better home and are the ones who care for them. They are very smart and they know that this means love and caring. They are also very capable of returning that caring and love.

If he was unhappy it was probably due to not seeing much of you and your elusive finger and now that it is back he will be happy again. I am sure things are better with MalachaI now. I too think you are a remarkable young man.

Rose

 

11? Wow! I am impressed too.
Betta do like their routines and their attention. Like cats, dogs and humans.

 

I'm glad to hear that MalachaI has his light back. He sounds like a great little Betta and it really is fun to play the finger game with them. He is definitely an attention-loving Betta!

 

Hi!

Yeah, I'm happy to have 2 Bettas now! One is school, which is a female with Platys, Cheryy barbs and a BN (Gets along famously wit hall her tank mates apart from pond snails!) called Angel - who I play with as much as possible, and that little red devil Malachai! Also, my friend quit fishkeeping, and is selling their 11gal tank with filter and heater etc for 40 quid. (80 dollars!) My cousin will probably be getting it and a Betta for it - more Bettas! Personally, I'd prefer to buy it myslef and give Malachai's 3 gal to the cousin, along with a few RCS, a Nerite and perhaps a TakashI amano!

I was horrified when the light went on that Malachai's tail is ragged. I don't think it's fin-rott; it's only on his tail and he's still been flaring once in a while... Stress coat is going in every day with daily water changes. *WC time!* I also have fin-rott med if it really is bad. (eSHa 2000 for Fungus, finrott etc.) I really need some of that FishTamin which one of my LFS sells. I can't get to that LFS much though.

Any ideas for new toys for my little buddy then? I'm thinking get some Java moss, and maybe a piece of bogwood. MalachaI is on my Bedside table BTW...

And here are some blurs of him - for the first time ever! May I tell you the tower is out now, as the plastic plants are kinda sharp and could have hurt him... These pics where from a while ago and I just worked out how to make them work!

 

It's good you have the meds ready. If you see anymore fin damage, then you'll probably want to treat him for fin rot, but what you're doing now is good since he may just have fin tears.

 

Hatch, Please tell MalachaI that I think he is stupendous! I love his color. He is marvelous and so handsome! the tank looks lovely and I am glad that you have removed the plant if it was a source of danger for him. I am sure that you are on top of his fin problem. You know how to care for him and the clean and clear water is the most important thing. This can do wonders for him. A lot of the time it is all that is needed to completely heal them.

You are such a good betta parent and I am sure that MalachaI does appreciate it. He looks very happy.

Rose

 

Hi!

Well, the tower has been out for about a month. He's not a fan of standing still either! Any ideas for more to entertain him? All he has ATM is a Coconut cave...

 

Someone a long time ago on this forum spoke of putting in new popsicle sticks that floated and letting the betta play with them but I never had much luck with that. Ping Pong balls float and mine did play with those a bit (a couple of them liked them.. a couple of them were afraid of them) I had one that liked the little marbles. Dave has one that likes the floating Hampster tubing. I have seen the floating logs that they can swim through. Most of my guys like caves and castles that have many holes and they like those cheap multicolored jar type things that have a lot of holes to swim through. They love plants to swim through that are tall and have thick leaves. They like Valisnera Plants to swim around. They like bubbles to play in at least most of mine do. (not real vigorous bubbles but like a small spray of bubbles from a wand) They like to nestle into a wad of Java Moss or a nice Sword plant. They like to have things to investigate like things with lots of nooks and crannys to get in and out of but make sure that they have lots of ways in and out and all of them are big enough to fit your thumb in and out of easily. Also make sure nothing is sharp or rough. Otherwise it is fun for them to have toys and fun to watch them explore their world.

Rose

 

Most of my guys like caves and castles that have many holes and they like those cheap multicolored jar type things that have a lot of holes to swim through.
Rose

Cheap multicolored jar type things? Sounds like it might be what I've been looking for. Can you please describe them and tell where I could get one? Thanks!

 

They are not good pictures but they are they are the best I have for now. Walmart has them for around $4.00.

 

HI HH!
My bettas love java moss and tall plants. Most of mine like their caves too! Zeus is the only one who is not so interested in his... lol! Good luck with Malachai! He is a very handsom betta!

 

We love those neon rainbow caves.. about $3 and our bettas all love them.

 

Hi!

Well, as I have high lighting (Plantwise) I can probably propogate the Echindorus 'red diamond' I have on order for Malachai's tank. It's a 'Dwarf' echindorus, around 25cm high. I'd need some more substrate though (Thinking of grabbing up some of the stuff I chuck out of the 47gal for MalachaI - his current substrate is a little sharp!) and I'd probably have to put some of my Tropica plant substrate in. I was going to grow Java moss on top of his cave to see him nestle down on that! I'll look out for some castles - he never seemed interested in his tower though. I think some silk plants would be a thought as most plants will outgrow his tank.