I'm thinking of getting a betta! So many questions...! Calling all betta lovers!

I got plastic 5.5 when one of my platys got sick. I hate to see it so empty so I'm planning to get my first ever betta! I'm planning on a small barrel decoration with a few moss balls. For stocking a betta and 1-2 nitrate or mystery snails (which do you recommend). How much should I feed? How often should I clean? Do they like really hard water? So excited, after it cycles I'm planning to run to Petco and get one (no other way )

 

Does Infinite Aquarium sell bettas? If so, you might be able to get a cool one from them.

They do! Plus they sell them in the community 10gs! I'm going to bring fry and buy some betta things today so I will look! Unfortunately, they are usually pure black (not my style)
Oh, and Dr. Tims's aquatics has bacteria to cycle a tank in 5-7 days sooooooo! I'm gonna install a shelf this weekend and next weekend I will get him/her .

 

They do! Plus they sell them in the community 10gs! I'm going to bring fry and buy some betta things today so I will look! Unfortunately, they are usually pure black (not my style)
Oh, and Dr. Tims's aquatics has bacteria to cycle a tank in 5-7 days sooooooo! I'm gonna install a shelf this weekend and next weekend I will get him/her .

Just so you know, those bottled bacteria products do not always work. While they’re great to speed up the cycle, you still need to let the parameters be your guide for when you get fish

 

Just so you know, those bottled bacteria products do not always work. While they’re great to speed up the cycle, you still need to let the parameters be your guide for when you get fish

Ok

 

Bettas are fairly easy. 5 gallon for 1 male, or 2 females. Change their water weekly (10-15%). Feed Betta pellets once or twice a day. Give them some hidey places in tank. Should be good to go

You cannot do 2 females in a 5g. They will fight! Sororities can work, but they need at least a 20g (preferably a 29g) and 6+ sisters. You also need to change more water than that weekly for them to be healthy.

They do! Plus they sell them in the community 10gs! I'm going to bring fry and buy some betta things today so I will look! Unfortunately, they are usually pure black (not my style)
Oh, and Dr. Tims's aquatics has bacteria to cycle a tank in 5-7 days sooooooo! I'm gonna install a shelf this weekend and next weekend I will get him/her .

Oh nice! I have to check out their betta selection when I go.

 

You cannot do 2 females in a 5g. They will fight! Sororities can work, but they need at least a 20g (preferably a 29g) and 6+ sisters. You also need to change more water than that weekly for them to be healthy.

Oh nice! I have to check out their betta selection when I go.

Yeah, I also felt like that...
I will post up a pic of the tank today or tommorow

 

I dont know what other people think but I have both nerite snails and mystery snails and I would recommend mystery snails by far. Mysteries don't eat a lot of algae but they are so much more fun to watch. Mine is so cool he climbs on everything and sometimes he will go up to the top and let go then use his foot as a parachute to get down to the bottom. When I clean the tank he sometimes climbers onto my hand and explores it for a while too. I hardly notice my nerite at all. Mysteries are also a lot bigger. Mine might just be unusually big but his shell is almost 3 inches! Anyways if you want some more boring but that cleans some algae get a nerite if you want a snail as more of a colorful thing to watch get a mystery snail. (My mystery is a gold one named Pacman)

 

I dont know what other people think but I have both nerite snails and mystery snails and I would recommend mystery snails by far. Mysteries don't eat a lot of algae but they are so much more fun to watch. Mine is so cool he climbs on everything and sometimes he will go up to the top and let go then use his foot as a parachute to get down to the bottom. When I clean the tank he sometimes climbers onto my hand and explores it for a while too. I hardly notice my nerite at all. Mysteries are also a lot bigger. Mine might just be unusually big but his shell is almost 3 inches! Anyways if you want some more boring but that cleans some algae get a nerite if you want a snail as more of a colorful thing to watch get a mystery snail. (My mystery is a gold one named Pacman)

I personally agree and favor mysteries more than nerite snails. Unfortunately, bettas like to bite the mystery snail's antennae and I don't want the poor Lil guy to get hurt. But, I do plan on getting a mystery for my 15g. Do you have any experience keeping mysteries with bettas!

 

I personally agree and favor mysteries more than nerite snails. Unfortunately, bettas like to bite the mystery snail's antennae and I don't want the poor Lil guy to get hurt. But, I do plan on getting a mystery for my 15g. Do you have any experience keeping mysteries with bettas!

Yeah I actually have pacman with a betta right now. Although the betta has never hurt anything ever but even if their antennas do get bit or eaten they will grow back.

 

Yeah I actually have pacman with a betta right now. Although the betta has never hurt anything ever but even if their antennas do get bit or eaten they will grow back.

I will ask my LFS about it, see what they think!

 

i’ve had different bettas over the last few years in my 2.5 gallon tank they don’t mind hard water which snails need for their shell to stay strong. some bettas can be aggressive and territorial so i would add the snails once your tank is cycled. i feed mine 2-5 pellets at a time or a small pinch of flakes. i feed twice a day. once a week i give mine freeze dried brine shrimp for the nutrition. they say do a 25% water change a week to keep nitrates down but you may find you need to do more. snails like algae and can eat the algae off the tank or wafers i know their is some human food you can feed them. i had a miss ball and it turned brown because they like cool water and maybe my light wasn’t right.

Interesting. I’ve never seen a plastic tank before. I’ve seen plastic bowls but not a tank. If it’s meant for fish it should be fine but plastics leak chemicals in the water over time so if it’s not food grade plastic or made for fish I wouldn’t use it

All I ever see every day is bloated Betta threads so I thought I would add that on.

The water holds very little BB in it unfortunately. The majority lives on the surfaces in your tank especially filter media. What kind of filter is on the 5 gallon? Are there snails currently in the 5 gallon? If not I would try to jump start a fish-less cycle with a lot of fish food before adding him to increase ammonia. If possible I wouldn't use test strips in this situation, the API master test kit is far more accurate, but I understand if you can't get it. Just be prepared to basically do 20-40% WCs every single day. Not trying to scare you but a fish-in cycle is a lot of work and I personally hated it.

Bettas are fairly easy. 5 gallon for 1 male, or 2 females. Change their water weekly (10-15%). Feed Betta pellets once or twice a day. Give them some hidey places in tank. Should be good to go

Just so you know, those bottled bacteria products do not always work. While they’re great to speed up the cycle, you still need to let the parameters be your guide for when you get fish

You cannot do 2 females in a 5g. They will fight! Sororities can work, but they need at least a 20g (preferably a 29g) and 6+ sisters. You also need to change more water than that weekly for them to be healthy.

Oh nice! I have to check out their betta selection when I go.

Yeah I actually have pacman with a betta right now. Although the betta has never hurt anything ever but even if their antennas do get bit or eaten they will grow back.

Ok, I got some betta bio gold! I just need to get the betta leaf hammock. Then I can start cycling. I am going to choose a calm betta so it can go with a mystery snail. I really want to do 2 snails for breeding can I (It's a 5.5g)? And for plants, I got 1 moss ball

 

Ok, I got some betta bio gold! I just need to get the betta leaf hammock. Then I can start cycling. I am going to choose a calm betta so it can go with a mystery snail. I really want to do 2 snails for breeding can I (It's a 5.5g)? And for plants, I got 1 moss ball

You could add the hammock in during the cycle. Just so you can get it started faster

 

You could add the hammock in during the cycle. Just so you can get it started faster

Ok! So can I do 2 mysteries in my 5.5g?

 

Ok! So can I do 2 mysteries in my 5.5g?

Id wait for someone else to answer this. I know you can do one but I’m not sure about two

 

Ok, I got some betta bio gold! I just need to get the betta leaf hammock. Then I can start cycling. I am going to choose a calm betta so it can go with a mystery snail. I really want to do 2 snails for breeding can I (It's a 5.5g)? And for plants, I got 1 moss ball

IMO a 5.5 is too small for a mystery period. I strongly suggest you get a nerite.

 

IMO a 5.5 is too small for a mystery period. I strongly suggest you get a nerite.

I don't really want to get a nitrate since my last one died...
If I feel the mystery gets crammed I will move it to my 15g...

 

I don't really want to get a nitrate since my last one died...
If I feel the mystery gets crammed I will move it to my 15g...

The betta might also pick on the mystery. If you do get one, Be prepared to move the mystery snail, because that betta probably is going to pick at the mystery snail, and the mystery will need more space. I second the vote for a nerite. Much smaller, less likely to be picked on, and it will eat algae.

 

The betta might also pick on the mystery. If you do get one, Be prepared to move the mystery snail, because that betta probably is going to pick at the mystery snail, and the mystery will need more space. I second the vote for a nerite. Much smaller, less likely to be picked on, and it will eat algae.

ok yall are right...

 

I saw my dream betta at my local Petco. He is a double tail male! His colors are a little faded from the nasty cup, but I can heal him up. I got some betta water and some one and only dr. tims bac. I want him SO badly. If he is still there tomorrow I will pick him up. If not I will take another betta. Oh and my temp is about 78...do you think it will be ok?

 

I saw my dream betta at my local Petco. He is a double tail male! His colors are a little faded from the nasty cup, but I can heal him up. I got some betta water and some one and only dr. tims bac. I want him SO badly. If he is still there tomorrow I will pick him up. If not I will take another betta. Oh and my temp is about 78...do you think it will be ok?

Temp should be fine. Did you test your water parameters? If not, I would test and unless it’s 0 ammonia and nitrites, with some nitrates I wouldn’t get the betta,

 

Temp should be fine. Did you test your water parameters? If not, I would test and unless it’s 0 ammonia and nitrites, with some nitrates I wouldn’t get the betta,

Yep, the tank is ready!

 

Hey guys I got my betta and a nitrate snail! They get along great! He is a pink-purple-red-blue double tail mail! But he ignores the pellets! He only eats the bloodworms! What should I do? Oh, and if he starts eating can I feed him as treats for jumping (He already did a small one for a bloodworm)!

 

Hey guys I got my betta! He is a pink-purple-red-blue double tail mail! But he ignores the pellets! He only eats the bloodworms! What should I do? Oh and if he starts eating can I feed him as treats for jumping (He already did a small one for a bloodworm)!

I wouldn’t worry about him eating the first day. Also, right away I wouldn’t start trying to get him to jump for food. It’s stressful enough being in a new environment without learning new tricks.

 

I wouldn’t worry about him eating the first day. Also, right away I wouldn’t start trying to get him to jump for food. It’s stressful enough being in a new environment without learning new tricks.

Ok, I will wait a bit, but he isn't scared or anything. He always stays on view in the front!

 

fishbreeeder pictures please!

 

fishbreeeder pictures please!

This is a bad one...
BTW he started flaring for no reason at all A LOT! Puffing his gills! Is something wrong. Can he see his reflection in the plastic?

 

This is a bad one...
BTW he started flaring for no reason at all A LOT! Puffing his gills! Is something wrong. Can he see his reflection in the plastic?

He might be flaring at you, or his reflection. It’s hard to say.

 

He might be flaring at you, or his reflection. It’s hard to say.

He does it in front of me so...
Does he hate me ?
Oh and he ate 4 pellets today!

 

He does it in front of me so...
Does he hate me ?
Oh and he ate 4 pellets today!

I’m glad he ate! It’s perfectly normal for a betta to flare at you. It’s kind of adorable! They do it for different reasons, but none of them are hatred. If he hated you, he would hide every time you got near him. This is a sign that he isn’t afraid of you.

 

I’m glad he ate! It’s perfectly normal for a betta to flare at you. It’s kind of adorable! They do it for different reasons, but none of them are hatred. If he hated you, he would hide every time you got near him. This is a sign that he isn’t afraid of you.

Phew. I named him prince Richard the lionheart. And yeah it's soooo cute when he flares!

 

Hey I have a betta and two shrimps in. A 5 gallon and he's soooooo cool. I need to do frequent water changes with the 3 in there but they're good. The only advice I have is BE CAREFUL with decorations, not many are safe for betta fins . Wasted a lot of money on tank decor and now I have to do daily water changes to heal up his fins.

 

Hey I have a betta and two shrimps in. A 5 gallon and he's soooooo cool. I need to do frequent water changes with the 3 in there but they're good. The only advice I have is BE CAREFUL with decorations, not many are safe for betta fins . Wasted a lot of money on tank decor and now I have to do daily water changes to heal up his fins.

I read about that, his decor is perfectly smooth.

 

He does it in front of me so...
Does he hate me ?
Oh and he ate 4 pellets today!

He doesn’t hate you. However, his aggression levels should be taken into consideration when or if you get tankmates.

 

i’ve had different bettas over the last few years in my 2.5 gallon tank they don’t mind hard water which snails need for their shell to stay strong. some bettas can be aggressive and territorial so i would add the snails once your tank is cycled. i feed mine 2-5 pellets at a time or a small pinch of flakes. i feed twice a day. once a week i give mine freeze dried brine shrimp for the nutrition. they say do a 25% water change a week to keep nitrates down but you may find you need to do more. snails like algae and can eat the algae off the tank or wafers i know their is some human food you can feed them. i had a miss ball and it turned brown because they like cool water and maybe my light wasn’t right.

I like to rotate my marimos, coldish water (and brine shrimp marine salt culture) flushes seem to keep mine happy, I took into account their needs like I would a fish and I'm not having any of the browning issues folks mention. When I have more to spare I am looking forward to having some to give my little shubunkins in the pond to play with.
Oh! And bettas! Be prepared to fall in love, and mine looks sassy at me all the time trying to wave me down without the least aggression, I have never felt such pure trusting energy from a fish, when they come to your hand and swim in without a net. He's just trying to draw my attention, lol. 'Hai! I see you are thawing some Freshwater Frenzy over there...' My husband who hasn't much interest in aquatic matters flagged me down, 'that guy is trying to catch your eye' PS even given the variety of live foods I keep on hand for my Dario darios, should I still get the pellets? I have Fluval Bugbites, is that ok?

Ok, I got some betta bio gold! I just need to get the betta leaf hammock. Then I can start cycling. I am going to choose a calm betta so it can go with a mystery snail. I really want to do 2 snails for breeding can I (It's a 5.5g)? And for plants, I got 1 moss ball

I don't care for the artificial myself, and have found enough plantage (floating- I have dwarfed water lettuce with slightly submerged lower leaves- and broadleaf stem) and Indian almond etc leaves give mine plenty of places to chill.

 

Wow, there's an incredible amount of replies on this so mine will probably just get lost in the bunches. But honestly I would go no less than 5 gallons with a betta fish, and even then you're pushing it. Bettas need live plants and hiding places, and I barely got by with a 10 gallon when I started. Plus the other invertebrates and decorations you choose to keep. I'm currently at a 20 gallon high and it's perfect for my betta and snails and shrimp. Mystery snails, nerites snails, Malaysian trumpet snails, Ram's horns snails are all good choices. You can have shrimp, some bettas will eat them, some will not. My betta thinks they're a tasty snack and goes after them with instinct and an incredible haste. I usually have to buy more than I need just because I know he's going to eat a few. Also I suggest getting water wisteria, a super legit floating plant. When you float it it will grow nice long roots down towards the bottom of your aquarium. I have found my betta constantly sleeping and napping amongst the floating leaves and stems. I'm going to attach a picture of my current betta tank so you get an idea of what I have going on. I wish you luck in your betta endeavors, honestly I don't think I'll ever keep any other fish but Bettas lol