What Products/plants/other Does Your Betta(s) Love?

HI all!

I am a brand new, first time Betta owner and I'm really excited!

His name is Dilo (Dilophosaurus), and he is a Halfmoon Dumbo. He's absolutely beautiful and I'm completely in love with him and his laziness

I just wanted to hear about everyone's experience with bettas, particularly what things your betta seemed to enjoy the most!

He is currently in a 5 gallon tank that has been cycled for 2 months now, with some fake plants (that are soft, but I'd like to replace them eventually with plants so I don't worry so much), and a fake decor arch made of rocks.

The flow, I've managed to make minimal by placing the heater at a 45 degree angle in front of it, as well as placing a fake plant upside down against it. I need a more practical solution for that.. lol

He's got a little bit of fin damage, I'm sure from exerting either too much or self injury.. Hopefully that heals up quickly.

I've heard things about the betta hammock, floating logs, exercise mirrors, amazon swords, ping pong balls, marimo balls, etc. I just don't know what is actually worth it!

So, what's your go-to item for bettas?

Side Note: Favorite food to feed them, as well? Currently he's enjoying some minI veggie pellets (I could have sworn bettas were carnivorous but he won't touch freeze dried brine shrimp. He'd rather gobble up the pellets). I'd like to get him some variety in his diet to help his colors come out.

 

Live plants, preferably taller and leafy ones are great. Frozen brine shrimp are far better than freeze dried, same for blood worms.

 

mine loves Northfin betta bits and really loves omega one frozen bloodworms, although he likes trying to eat the shrimp and snail food but always spits it out because he doesn't like them but still tries to eat them anyways. the floating betta log by zoomed is his favourite sleeping spot (sulks when he doesn't have it). he doesn't really care for plants or his moss ball all that much

 

Hey Kaitlyn! I recently got a betta as well! While I've only had him for a little under a month, I can definitely say that he enjoys my water wisteria the most, as he will swim through it, weaving between the stems and sleeping under the leaves. I'd also REALLY recommend Indian Almond Leaves (I think they're also called catappa leaves, if that's easier to find), because not only does my betta enjoy building his bubble nest around them, they also release these chemicals called tannins, which are really healthy for your betta. They're also pretty cheap, and as someone who's on a college student budget, that's something really valuable to keeping my tank in top shape!

I also have a tiny mirror that I'll put in the tank for a couple minutes every day. My betta had lost a lot of his tail before I rescued him, and I've found that when he gets the chance to flare it makes him a lot more active, and it seems to be helping his tail heal up nicely (I have no idea if that's supported by factual evidence or not, but it definitely makes him a more energetic fish, either way). Leaving a mirror in the tank for too long could risk stressing him out, though, so you'll definitely want to limit his time with it.

Now, I wouldn't follow my example when it comes to food, because I mistakenly bought my betta tropical fish flakes, thinking that they were betta pellets. Now, my betta refuses to eat anything but the tropical flakes, so once he's a little healthier tail-wise, I'll make an attempt at readjusting his diet. I'd go with Demeter's and Jamie's advice on feeding your betta.

Every betta has a different personality though, so what makes some people's betta go absolutely crazy might cause your fish to go, "...meh." If there's a toy the forum hasn't mentioned that you'd like to give a go at, definitely try it! New forms of enrichment will do just that—enrich the quality of your fish's life. Even if he doesn't wind up liking the toy you've gotten for him, it will be a new experience for him, and it'll add some spice to his day-to-day life. If you have a bunch of toys he only slightly enjoys, you could alternate them out of the tank every week or so to keep him stimulated!

So go with whatever your heart desires, and make sure you enjoy whatever you choose as much as Dilo does!

 

Mine like the large leafed Anubias to rest on. Indian almond leaves for tannins. They eat Omega One Betta buffet pellets.


For my short finned females, they have a yarn spawning mop that they like to swim through.

 

Thanks for the replies everyone! I will have to go buy some more IAL- I used the last of mine to make a tea for a different tank!

Question though: Should I boil the leaves and just put the tea into the tank, or should I just go ahead and stick the leaves in? Not sure it matters but thought I'd ask regardless.

I think I'm going to go ahead and get some Anubias plants, and some amazon swords.

About how long do you think it might take for his fins to heal up okay? They're really not terrible, a little droopy, and his side fins (the big ones that Dumbo's have, I forget the terminology at the moment), are split in a few places. I'll see if I can post some photos..

 

Thanks for the replies everyone! I will have to go buy some more IAL- I used the last of mine to make a tea for a different tank!

Question though: Should I boil the leaves and just put the tea into the tank, or should I just go ahead and stick the leaves in? Not sure it matters but thought I'd ask regardless.

I think I'm going to go ahead and get some Anubias plants, and some amazon swords.

About how long do you think it might take for his fins to heal up okay? They're really not terrible, a little droopy, and his side fins (the big ones that Dumbo's have, I forget the terminology at the moment), are split in a few places. I'll see if I can post some photos..

you can just put them in, there isn't any point in boiling them unless your trying to get the tannins out

 

Here's some photos of him

 

Here's some photos of him

he is really gorgeous <3 I really love the colouring on his fins. as long as there isn't anything sharp and the water is clean they should heal up, might a few weeks

 

Here's some photos of him

Cutie! The split fin thing is common. It should heal with time and clean water.

 

Thanks Sometimes he looks red, sometimes blue, and sometimes all purple! He's quite the interesting guy.

 

Floating water sprite, but I've just thrown it out of one tank as it kept dying. It's doing well in the other.
Tiger lotus, the wide leaves make a nice resting and hiding spot.
One of my bettas will swim and out of his floating log, the other wasn't interested.
Neither of them liked the betta hammock but I'm sure some do.
They like people. As my SO said to me the other day, "That fish is looking at me!"
You don't need to buy a special mirror, any will do. You can also film them and show it to them. That can get them quite riled up. I think a bit of stress is good for them, but not too much.
They like frozen bloodworm. I feed them with tweezers and make them chase it or jump for it.

 

They like frozen bloodworm. I feed them with tweezers and make them chase it or jump for it.

Do you worry at all about them hurting themselves on the tweezers?

 

Do you worry at all about them hurting themselves on the tweezers?

No, they aren't sharp. They are tweezers for planting.

 

No, they aren't sharp. They are tweezers for planting.

Ah, I see. So I may need to go buy different tweezers then. I have tweezers that are like, facial tweezers and I think they might be sharp..

 

HI Kaitlyn! Congrats on getting your first betta. Dilo is very handsome

Here's a guide on slowing down your filter output so your fish doesn't get tossed around: Betta filter baffle - Bettaboxx

Tank stuff/food that my bettas have enjoyed in the past-

• Marimo balls - One of my bettas in particular really liked sitting on them. I've also heard some bettas like to push them around. Even if my fish aren't the type to use them for anything (my current betta just ignores them), I really like having marimo in my tanks because they look nice and are practically indestructible. I have six marimo that have been with me for 2 years or so...these things are harder to kill than they are to keep alive.
• A teapot - Yes, a teapot (albeit a small one). I gave this to my first betta to use as a hide and he was in or around it like half of the time. He really liked swimming through the handle for some reason. After that fish died, the teapot went back to its intended use so I don't know how other bettas like teapots...maybe I just had a really weird fish.
• Marker drawings?! - My current betta seems to find these entertaining. I use a whiteboard marker to draw or write on the tank wall and he investigates the mysterious markings that appear on the tank wall. I try to vary what part of the tank I draw on for added novelty.
• Sword plants (in general) - The leaves seem to make a good resting place for bettas. Amazon swords get pretty big, so you may need to look into a smaller variety for your tank.
• Omega one betta buffet - This kind of food comes in pellet and flake form. My last two fish ate the flakes enthusiastically, but I'd recommend getting the pellets if you can because flakes are just really messy and lose their nutritional value over time.
• Freeze dried blood worms - My fish have all really liked these, but these should only be used as a treat because freeze dried foods lack the nutritional value of frozen or live foods and also are more likely to bloat your fish. Soaking them can help reduce risk of bloat.

Stuff that I haven't personally tried but generally have a good reputations with bettas:

• Anubias plants - Hardy, good looking plants that are generally a reasonable size for the small tanks bettas are usually kept in...it's almost too good to be true
• Northfin betta bits - Seems to be good at getting picky bettas to eat. Also has a good amount of protein. More info
• Fluval bug bites - Relatively new line of food that's making a splash (a witch cursed me to make one crappy fish joke per post, sorry) in fishkeeping communities. It comes in a couple different varieties but the one best suited to feeding bettas (until fluval comes out with a betta specific version) is the "tropical formula for small fish." What's great about this is that their main ingredient is bugs, which is what bettas are supposed to eat. They have a lot of protein too, and some vitamins thrown in for extra goodness. Ingredient list and more info

That's all I can remember off the top of my head, but I hope some of this was helpful! Best of luck with your handsome new fish

 

HI Kaitlyn! Congrats on getting your first betta. Dilo is very handsome

Here's a guide on slowing down your filter output so your fish doesn't get tossed around: Betta filter baffle - Bettaboxx

Tank stuff/food that my bettas have enjoyed in the past-

• Marimo balls - One of my bettas in particular really liked sitting on them. I've also heard some bettas like to push them around. Even if my fish aren't the type to use them for anything (my current betta just ignores them), I really like having marimo in my tanks because they look nice and are practically indestructible. I have six marimo that have been with me for 2 years or so...these things are harder to kill than they are to keep alive.
• A teapot - Yes, a teapot (albeit a small one). I gave this to my first betta to use as a hide and he was in or around it like half of the time. He really liked swimming through the handle for some reason. After that fish died, the teapot went back to its intended use so I don't know how other bettas like teapots...maybe I just had a really weird fish.
• Marker drawings?! - My current betta seems to find these entertaining. I use a whiteboard marker to draw or write on the tank wall and he investigates the mysterious markings that appear on the tank wall. I try to vary what part of the tank I draw on for added novelty.
• Sword plants (in general) - The leaves seem to make a good resting place for bettas. Amazon swords get pretty big, so you may need to look into a smaller variety for your tank.
• Omega one betta buffet - This kind of food comes in pellet and flake form. My last two fish ate the flakes enthusiastically, but I'd recommend getting the pellets if you can because flakes are just really messy and lose their nutritional value over time.
• Freeze dried blood worms - My fish have all really liked these, but these should only be used as a treat because freeze dried foods lack the nutritional value of frozen or live foods and also are more likely to bloat your fish. Soaking them can help reduce risk of bloat.

Stuff that I haven't personally tried but generally have a good reputations with bettas:

• Anubias plants - Hardy, good looking plants that are generally a reasonable size for the small tanks bettas are usually kept in...it's almost too good to be true
• Northfin betta bits - Seems to be good at getting picky bettas to eat. Also has a good amount of protein. More info
• Fluval bug bites - Relatively new line of food that's making a splash (a witch cursed me to make one crappy fish joke per post, sorry) in fishkeeping communities. It comes in a couple different varieties but the one best suited to feeding bettas (until fluval comes out with a betta specific version) is the "tropical formula for small fish." What's great about this is that their main ingredient is bugs, which is what bettas are supposed to eat. They have a lot of protein too, and some vitamins thrown in for extra goodness. Ingredient list and more info

That's all I can remember off the top of my head, but I hope some of this was helpful! Best of luck with your handsome new fish

Wow thanks for this! I've purchased some plants for him, and he's obsessed. Constantly swimming circles around them! Or maybe he's just still investigating. Oh well!

Also got a sponge to fit over the outtake- he has also investigated the sponge. The sponge is no longer a threat. Lol.

Got some of these things called "Betta Bulbs"? Not even sure, supposed to be plants. I put some in just to see what happens, along with some root tabs and a dose of flourish.

Also have IAL in the tank.

He hasn't recognized the hammock yet- it probably will take time.

I may have to try out the marker thing!!

 

Congrats on your new betta boy!

Got some of these things called "Betta Bulbs"? Not even sure, supposed to be plants. I put some in just to see what happens, along with some and a dose of .

I've tried out betta bulbs! Mine grew into aponogetons, and my bettas love them:


Here is Kylo Renfish leaning on the stems.

Huxfish likes to hide in the leaves.

Renfish II uses the leaves as a blanket.

So far as the other questions you asked in your initial post:
- I had two betta hammocks in my tanks, but the plastic on the suction cup started to turn yellow and smell funny, so I removed them. My bettas liked them a lot, but I think live plants are just as good (if not better). Anubias has worked well for me!
- I use a toothpick to train/feed my bettas, so I guess that's my go-to play item, haha. For in-tank decorations, I say go with the live plants.
- Food-wise, a couple times a week I'll soak my betta's food in Garlic Guard. They love the flavor! After conditioning them to eat anything off the toothpick, they'll pretty much eat/jump out of the water all the stuff I feed them. If your new betta is kind of picky, it might be due to their previous diet. Most of my bettas didn't understand that things that were not pellet-shaped were still food, so it took a few weeks of getting them used to being fed by me, and then mixing in different foods with the ones they were used to.
- My three fish enjoy/enjoyed different things. Kylo liked to sit and watch me move around in the room (he was basically a tiny wet fish puppy), Huxfish likes to lie down on his tower decoration and judge people (he's a cat), and Renfish II likes to wiggle into small spaces to hide.

Congrats again on your lovely new fish! I hope to hear more stories about his shenanigans in the future.