Planning to Rescue a Betta (But now they don't want to give him up!)

Hello!  I have been reading up on Bettas for a while, and was thinking of getting one someday.  Well, that some day may be closer than I thought.  There is a poor little Betta living in a fishbowl (no more than a gallon-size, I estimate) in the childcare center room my son goes to once a week.  He has no heater or filtration, so I really hope & pray they do frequent water changes!!  The room is fairly warm, but not "Betta warm."  I have a new 10 gal planted tank that I am setting up, and my filter & heater will arrive via UPS tomorrow.  I was planning to run a 2nd sponge & filter in my current tank/filter for a week or more to seed the new filter (and maybe transfer some of the water?).  My mini-cycle is done & I've done a thorough cleaning since I had a few fish die in January and medicated the remaining fish.  I would like to have 2-3 Otos in the tank with a Betta.  I know it would probably be better to have the Otos in there first, then add the Betta, but I really want to rescue this little guy soon!!!  SO, would it hurt to put him in the tank first, THEN add the Otos once they are out of quarantine?  Would he accept the Otos?  He is not in IMMEDIATE danger (other than the size and temp of the tank...) and they keep the water clean, but he deserves better than that little fishbowl (it does have a plastic plant & rock for him to hide behind).  Any advice would be appreciated.    Thanks!

Sharon

 

Re: Planning to Rescue a Betta

You may be able to add the Otos later by removing the Betta from the tank for a day or two, rearranging the tank and adding the Otos, and then after a while putting the Betta back. But that isn't an absolute guarantee. If you wanted to be safer and feel the Betta will be ok for another couple weeks, you could get the Otos and leave them in the tank for 2 weeks or so to make sure they aren't sick, and then get the Betta.

 

Re: Planning to Rescue a Betta

I have done it both ways and if the betta is not a little pill and territorial and nasty, you can get by with it but the betta is going to set the tone for the tank for sure. Maybe you could ask the people at the center how the betta acts. If he is docile probably you would be okay.

Congratulations on the idea. I think it is great!

Rose

 

Re: Planning to Rescue a Betta

Thank you Rose & Omorrokh! That makes me feel better that I am on the right track! I haven't approached the supervisor about it yet, and don't want to offend her, but I know she has her hands full with a few other tanks and would probably appreciate my taking him! (I also plan to volunteer to help maintain the tanks when my kids are there in preschool!) For now, I will keep getting both my quarantine & new 10 gal tank ready for the inhabitants! (He can always go in the 5 gal q tank while the otos are in the 10 gal for a couple of weeks...then merge them in the 10 gal.)

One more question! I know Bettas don't like much water movement. Otos seem to love airstones. Could I have 1 airstone on the far end of the tank where the filter is, and let the other end be more peaceful for the Betta? Or should I not put an airstone in at all?

Thanks for your help!
Sharon

 

Re: Planning to Rescue a Betta

I can't wait for you to rescue it I hope we can see his pictures once you have him

 

Re: Planning to Rescue a Betta

You'll want an airstone in there. Bettas like the water warm... about 80 degrees F. Warm water doesn't hold as much oxygen. Even though betta's take air from the surface, they will do better with the added oxygen from the airstone. I'd agree with you on the idea about keeping it off to the side... I keep mine on the same side that the filter disturbes, that way the other side is pretty still. I found that the air pump was to strong for my little five gallon tank, so I purchased a splitter vaulve thing that has a little lever on it to control the air flow. I keep it pretty low so the bubbles just ripple the surface. Hope that helps! ~J~

 

Re: Planning to Rescue a Betta

Timesdragonfly, thank you so much for your reply! That is exactly what I was wondering about and I appreciate your explanation!!

Sharon

 

Re: Planning to Rescue a Betta (But they don't want to give him up!)

Well, I guess that the childcare center does not wish to part with their betta.  I guess the one in that room was a gift to them and not donated, so they aren't looking to give it up.  It FRUSTRATES me that he is in a small bowl without a heater or filter (he does have a rock & artificial plant) and I have an empty 10 gal warm & waiting for him!!!  I gently advised the supervisor that bettas are tropical & need a bigger living space, but the gals who work in the room & care for him want to keep him!!  AAAAGGGGHHH!!   >

And to make matters worse, then I ran into my Walmart yesterday, and I THOUGHT they were getting out of the betta business, but there were 2 rows of female bettas in little cups & 3 rows of male bettas (and one was already dead but I couldn't find ANYONE who worked in that dept!!!).   >  >

I still plan on getting a betta, but I think I will get my otos first and let them acclimate to the tank before getting one so he has an easier time adjusting to them in there.

Thanks for listening!! 
Sharon

 

Well that's to bad that you couldn't adopt the Betta from the day care. One day soon you will get your Betta and you will be so happy when you do. They truly are great little fish. Natalie

 

Sorry to hear about it and sorry for the little guy at the school. It is definitely the little guy's loss.

Good luck with the search for a fish. Walmart is only closing 620 of its fish departments out of 3000+ stores so maybe yours will be one with the option to keep there's open.

Rose

 

Thanks to all. The consolation is that my son goes to that room once a week so I get to keep an eye on the little fish on those days. When I asked my son (who is 2) if he saw the fish in the room, he replied "I go talk to the fishy." How sweet--I just hugged him! He really likes to go to our tank and talk to the fish we have here--and he is soooo good about not hitting the glass or messing with it! He does try to show them his airplane, though!! Having fish has become such a family thing for me, and my kids really enjoy helping as much as they can, and they really enjoy watching the fish!

Sharon

 

That's too bad that they won't give you the Betta. Poor guy. Well, at least now you can rescue another one.

That stinks Walmart is only closing some of its fish sections...

 

You can ask them if you can give him a more suitable tank and still keep him there and do the maintence or something.

 

That's exactly what my husband suggested atm!! Great minds think alike. I already have an extra filter & 2nd cartridge seeding in my established tank, so all I need is a heater & new tank for him and we're set!!