Will my betta be ok in a pretzel jar for a couple of days?

I stopped at Walmart on my way home from work this morning. I went to the pet department to pick up some black gravel and there on the top shelf were about 6 containers of the some of the most pathetic looking bettas I have ever seen. I am getting another 5 gallon tank in the next day or two, but couldn't help myself. I picked out what I thought was the worse looking one and brought him home.

So now what do I do? I have an extra 10 gallon, but I didn't really want to use that. So after scrounging around I found a round pretzel container that we had gotten for Christmas. It only held about 1-1/2 gallons after I got putting in some gravel, which I know isn't enough, but it was what I had. I cut the side out of a small oleo container for a cave.

I don't have a filter that will go on it so I put in a round airstone and buried it under the gravel. And I don't have a heater so I put him in a room that we keep the door closed on so he wouldn't get a chill from the air conditioner.

I used water from an established tank and put some API Startright in it. Then in he went. I figured he couldn't be any worse off than he was before. And he instantly started exploring and when I dropped a couple of pellets in there, he was right on them.

Do you think he will be ok for a couple of days until I get the new tank? I will be changing the water every day until I get it.

Oh yeah, he is a magenta colored crowntail. I think he will be a beauty when he gets back on his fins again.

 

I find that the bettas don't really require the worry you are putting in. Your temp set-up would be good for years. However you might want something more attractive. BUT, I don't think they need constant water changes , they can even take straight tap water because they are air breathers. I could be wrong but I have kept bettas for years. My Walmart has the same pathetic display and I always feel so sorry for them.

 

I find that the bettas don't really require the worry you are putting in. Your temp set-up would be good for years. However you might want something more attractive. BUT, I don't think they need constant water changes , they can even take straight tap water because they are air breathers. I could be wrong but I have kept bettas for years. My Walmart has the same pathetic display and I always feel so sorry for them.

I have no clue where you heard straight up tap water and no water changes are good for Bettas or any type fish for that matter. 95% of the tap water in the world has chemicals in it that can very harmful for fish. And container 3 gallons and under DOES need daily water changes and a 3 gallon or more needs 30% water changes if it does not have a filter to keep the ammonia levels down and all tap water needs a water conditioner like Prime to make tap water safe for ANY fish. You might of got lucky with your Bettas but I know for a fact my tap would kill my Bettas cause of the very high lvls of chemicals in it.

 

I stopped at Walmart on my way home from work this morning. I went to the pet department to pick up some black gravel and there on the top shelf were about 6 containers of the some of the most pathetic looking bettas I have ever seen. I am getting another 5 gallon tank in the next day or two, but couldn't help myself. I picked out what I thought was the worse looking one and brought him home.

So now what do I do? I have an extra 10 gallon, but I didn't really want to use that. So after scrounging around I found a round pretzel container that we had gotten for Christmas. It only held about 1-1/2 gallons after I got putting in some gravel, which I know isn't enough, but it was what I had. I cut the side out of a small oleo container for a cave.

I don't have a filter that will go on it so I put in a round airstone and buried it under the gravel. And I don't have a heater so I put him in a room that we keep the door closed on so he wouldn't get a chill from the air conditioner.

I used water from an established tank and put some API Startright in it. Then in he went. I figured he couldn't be any worse off than he was before. And he instantly started exploring and when I dropped a couple of pellets in there, he was right on them.

Do you think he will be ok for a couple of days until I get the new tank? I will be changing the water every day until I get it.

Oh yeah, he is a magenta colored crowntail. I think he will be a beauty when he gets back on his fins again.

He should be fine until you get the new tank. If the room is above 75 he should be fine in it . And yes daily water changes will be great to keep the lvls down with a water conditioner like Prime.

 

That is a bit small, but he should be okay in there for a short time assuming the container isn't made from harmful materials or have any harmful coatings or anything like that. Daily 50% water changes with a conditioner that neutralizes ammonia will be good in the meantime, as the "aquarium" is uncycled. When you get your new tank, place some filter media from an established aquarium in the filter to seed the nitrifying bacteria. If your filter media is in a cartridge or something, and is unaccessable, give it a good squeeze in the new aquarium to at least get some bacteria-laden water in there. Then just monitor for ammonia and nitrites, doing water changes and treating with something like prime as needed. You should be okay.

 

Thanks for the quick reply.

It is a plastic container. And I used water from a cycled tank and put conditioner in it.

I realize I am probably worrying for nothing, but with having no filter or heater, I wanted to make sure he would be ok.

His name is Simon and here are a couple of pictures.

His new temporary home:


And a close-up of the little guy:

 

Thanks for the quick reply.

It is a plastic container. And I used water from a cycled tank and put conditioner in it.

I realize I am probably worrying for nothing, but with having no filter or heater, I wanted to make sure he would be ok.

His name is Simon and here are a couple of pictures.

His new temporary home: View attachment 90409

And a close-up of the little guy: View attachment 90410

He looks good I would just poke a few more holes in the top to get airflow in there other than that he looks real good and he is a beautiful crown tail.

 

I did poke several holes in the top. They're not huge holes - the diameter of a screwdriver - but there are 7 open ones and one with the air line run through it.

 

I found a round pretzel container ... I cut the side out of a small oleo container for a cave.

How did you clean the pretzel container and the oleo container?

 

I just used really hot water on both of them. No soap or chemicals at all.

 

I don't have a filter that will go on it so I put in a round airstone and buried it under the gravel.

I'm so glad you've rescued him. I think he'll be just fine for a couple days, until you get a real tank set up for him, but I'm just wondering about the use of an air-stone, especially in such a small container. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable about bettas will correct me if I'm mistaken, but being anabantoids (air-breathers), bettas do not really require oxygenation, and, since they prefer still water, an air-pump might not be the best thing for him. Otherwise, I think you've done the right thing by adding cycled water from another aquarium and keeping him in a place he won't get cold. I agree with JessieNoel in that you will definitely need to change the water daily and use a water conditioner to remove the harmful chemicals in your tapwater. If your tap water contains chloramine as well as chlorine (most tap water does nowadays), you'll need to make sure the conditioner you use will neutralize it as well. I agree, the bettas sold in those little plastic cups always look so sad. Poor things. I think Simon is one lucky fish! Good work. - frogbreeder

 

We have well water so chlorine and chloramine isn't a problem. I didn't think about him being an airbreather. I have the stone turned down really low so it just gives off a few bubbles but I thought maybe there should be a little agitation in the water with there being no filter.

The more fish I get, the more I learn. Husband's lucky I haven't taken up birds. Fish take up a lot less room .

 

Yes, aquariums don't take up a lot of room, unless you have MTS (multiple tank syndrome) like me. I guess, the air-stone is alright turned down really low, but I think Simon might be happier without it. Having said that, admittedly, I'm not an expert on bettas - what do I know? I'm a frogbreeder. lol. - so hopefully one of our other members will suggest what is best for Simon. He certainly is a beautiful fish. Once his fins perk up, he'll look absolutely amazing! I'm glad he's found such a good home. - frogbreeder

 

I have two bettas in 2ish gallon containers with no filtration or airstone. The containers sit in a sunny window with plants, and I do daily WC watering the plants with the waste. I also use the same containers to grow out snails, but in those I put tiny air driven filters. DIY sponges are an easy way to go, but you could also rig up a large babyhood jar with media/lift tube/airstone if you wanted. When the betta jugs get too much algae, I switch with the snails.

 

Hello oscarsbud I was just wondering how your boy was doing?

 

He is doing great! The tank deal fell through. I should have known it was too good to be true. Guy had a fluval chI 5 gal brand new on craigslist and he said I could have it for $10. But he never called me back and no replies to emails.or.phone calls. So now I am waiting for a.store to open so I can buy him a heater and put him my spare 10 gal tank. Dilemma though - do I put in a divider so I can get another one or just give him the whole tank LOL.

 

Shame about the chI I've got one and it's perfect for mal I think we both know you'll be wanting another betta don't fight it and technically it's not another tank it's another little betta buddy an existing tank doesn't count

 

Shame about the chI I've got one and it's perfect for mal I think we both know you'll be wanting another betta don't fight it and technically it's not another tank it's another little betta buddy an existing tank doesn't count glad to hear Simon is doing well

 

Yes, I will probably pick up a divider too. It's only been 2 weeks but I think I'm coming down with MBS - Multiple Betta Syndrome. Sadly there is no cure, but happily who wants one ?

 

Lol bettas are like Pringles I wish I had a bigger house even a bigger table so I could fit another little tank on it lol. I'm getting a 200 litre for Christmas but I'm not planning on putting a betta in it I'm also addicted to corydoras too

 

So am I. I love the little critters. I have 6 albinos and 6 pandas in my 70g and 6 albinos in my 45. I could.watch them scurry around all day.

 

I can't wait to get mine I've had them in the past and miss the little looneys

 

Well, Simon is officially in his new home. He has the whole 10G tank to himself. He is wandering around like, what the heck is going on here. I was going to get a divider, but all they had was the kind you can see through and I didn't think that was a good idea with a betta. I didn't have enough sand so I put a layer of my leftover fine black gravel on top. I figured it would show off his colors really good. The water's a bit cloudy yet, but when it clears I will post a picture.

I can't wait until my husband comes home tonight and sees that the toaster-oven has been replaced with a 5G fish tank. I wanted to put Simon where Max had been and ran out of small tables with outlets close by so the kitchen counter seemed like a grand idea - to me anyway

 

Lol good news glad he has got his new bachelor pad can't wait to see a picture

 

Here are a couple of pics of Simon in his new digs. I couldn't get enough light to show off his colors. The tank is a bit bare-bones right now but he seems to like it.

 

He looks like he is enjoying his new pad he has so much space he is one handsome lucky man

 

Wow! Nice.

A see through divider works okay with bettas. If you have plenty of hiding places and decorations that break up line of sight, they will feel secure and not flare at each other constantly.

Have fun with him!

 

Thanks for the info. I didn't realize they wouldn't really be seeing each other all the time. And a big "DUH" to me for not thinking about putting decorations there to block their view. I'll keep that in mind for "next time". Now that's he's got the whole place to himself, I don't think I want to cut his space in half. But there will be others, I'm sure .

 

You're welcome! We're all learning so glad to help.

I just clicked on the photo...what a great looking crown tail!

 

I have a feeling another betta might be finding a new home

 

I have a feeling another betta might be finding a new home

 

Shame about the chI I've got one and it's perfect for mal

My son thinks I should let him put his half moon in my ChI (and move my celestial pearl danios to his 5 gallon.) I hate to tell him he won't want the ChI in his bedroom. It gurgles like mad! I don't think it was that noisy before. Maybe it's got plant bits in the filter intake? I'll check it with my w/c this week.

I've used all sorts of containers as temporary homes. I have a garter snake baby in a sandwich box! (Don't worry, it has holes drilled in it for airflow.)

 

Mine used make the gurgling noise I took out the impeller cleaned it down and reset it in there and it stopped being so noisy also there could be air in the filter if u tip the filter cube to the left once u have filled it and re started the filter until u can see the light through the water then it may be quieter