Betta bowls
I recently bought a Betta. While surfing your site to find the answers to some questions about overeating, I saw some comments about Betta lily bowls.
<I assume you mean the vase-type containers, with a plant (peace lily, usually) growing out?>
Are they really bad for the fish?
<Well, not directly....  But you'll need to provide as large a volume of water for the fish as you can, and be sure to change a little bit of water out for new dechlorinated water every few days.>
If so why, and is there any way I can safely keep my lily and my Betta together?
<Use only dechlorinated water for your Betta (a trip to the fish store will show you a wide array of things you can choose from - get something that treats tapwater for chlorine and chloramine), make sure when you do water changes to exactly match the water temperature, so as not to shock your fellah, change a third or so of the water every few days, and provide the largest possible container to keep him in.  I've seen some nicely done things like this that had more than a gallon of water volume for the fish.  If done properly, it could be a nice fishy home for your dude.  -Sabrina>

Bettas don't like nitrites!
<Hi! Ananda here tonight...>
I have a 2 week old tank containing a Betta splendens (male), 2 zebra Danios, 2 platy and 2 black molly.
<Ack! Your tank is far too new to be holding that many fish. You should have let it cycle first.>
Everything was fine for the first week and a half until the nitrite level raised to about 5ppm. I carried out a 25% water change and then things started to go wrong with my Betta. He started to turn white, loosing his colour, his skin is rough and raised and he sits lifeless at the top of the tank refusing to eat. As the black mollies started to pick on him I put him in a large isolation net but it has made no difference. His fins appear thin and straggly. What can I do? It's my daughters fish and I can't let him die.
<Your Betta can *not* survive in water with nitrites. You need to temporarily move him into his own tank, or, if you must, a bowl or something that can hold at least a half gallon of water. There is a nice little 1-gallon tank with a filtration system for under $10 that I've seen available at chain store pet stores and even Wal-Mart and Meijer's stores. Or if you can't do that, cut off the top of a milk jug! This guy really needs pristine water conditions, pronto, if he's going to survive. You will be doing *daily* partial water changes to keep his water quality good! I would change about half of it a day, or more if necessary. You need to keep the ammonia at zero, too, or his gills will get damaged. Mollies, platies, and Danios are hardier fish, but I would continue with daily partial water changes in the main tank so they are not stressed too much. --Ananda >

Betta's First Day Home
To whom it may concern,
<Hi, Peter,>
Today we got a Betta fish. I rinsed the tank (about 1/8 gallon in size) with tap water and then filled the it with bottled water. I then put my fish in and after about one hour, I came to check on the critter. It was at the bottom of the tank (still alive) and almost never swimming around. I know this is the first day but is it normal for the fish to do this?
<No, not at all.>
Also I'm worried about the little amount of chlorine from the tap water. Will this harm the fish?
<I sincerely doubt it.  I trust you did not use any tapwater to fill the tank, correct?  Just the bottled water?>
It's a very small amount of chlorine.
<If the tank was only rinsed in tapwater, agreed.>
I also tried feeding it a little and it still wouldn't budge. I really need some advice from the experts.
<It sounds perhaps that he didn't get a chance to acclimate to his new water.  Was there a temperature difference between the water he came home in and the water in the tank?  It could also be shock from differing pH, in which case, the best thing you can do is let him recover on his own, changing the pH again could cause more problems.  Of course, it is also possible that he may have been sick when you got him.  Is there anything visibly wrong with him, physically?>
Thank you very much for your time!
<Sure thing.  Hope all goes well,  -Sabrina>
Thank you,  Peter

Hexed Mini-Hex (1/20/04)
I received a 2.5 gal hexagon tank for Christmas it came with water conditioner an undergravel filter and pump. I set it up and let it run without fish for 2 weeks. <Actually a good idea to put a pinch of food in there to generate nutrients for bacteria.> that's where everything I did right ended.
I went to get a single male Betta <good plan> for the tank (because I thought they had to live alone) When the store attendant pointed out all the fish that would live with the Betta I wanted them all! <They just wanted your money...> On her recommendation I came home with 4 small zebra Danios 2 ghost shrimp the male Betta and a heater, they also recommended adding a small algae eater when algae started to develop. <...and they got it.>
Through the 1st week everything was normal ( I found out through research) the water clouded then cleared on its own which I understand it part of the cycle process and the water tested ok for a cycling tank. <Yes, but not normal for a tank with fish in it.> Into week 2 the Betta became lethargic laying on the bottom with an occasional swim to the top for air and back down again. I suppose this is a good time to mention that I also way overfed these poor little guys (They always seemed hungry and I didn't want them to starve). 2 days ago a test of the water showed the
ammonia and pH through the roof, searching the web for answers led me to believe a 50% water change with vacuuming would help the problem. <A temporary fix> things seemed better in the tank for a day, when I retested the water today the results were the same. So a trip to a different pet store <steer clear of the other one in the future> this morning sent me home with Amquel <helps a bit>, ph down <why?>, and an undergravel upgrade kit with a carbon insert. <Zeolite would be better for ammonia>
I added the ph down and the Amquel, the carbon filter attachment is
for a 1" lift tube which they assured me was standard but it seems my lift tube is only 1/2". so my 1st question: I have the top with the carbon insert sitting over the lift tube is this inhibiting the way the filter works or is it still working properly? <Should work some, but flow through it will not be ideal.>
2nd the water seems to be clouding again is this normal? <No. You need good bacteria. If you could get a hold of some Bio-Spira, this may help.>
3rd the Betta seems happy and active again, the ghost shrimp are
more active then they ever were climbing the sides of the tank up and down and the Danios have all gone to top of the water. Is this normal behavior? <Danios love to swim actively in the upper tank. They are very active and do not belong in such a small tank. Also, they will stress your low-moving Betta out. Were I you, I would return them and stick with just the Betta in this tank. The "algae eater" you bought is likely the king that will suck the skin off of your Betta when it grow bigger. Otocinclus would be better.>
Last should I be doing something else at this point or just wait and see what happens? <Patience is important. Consider doing what I mentioned above. Buy a good book about freshwater aquaria or a good book about Bettas.> Thank you for your help! Cathie

Water For A Betta - 08/05/2004
What type of water should I use for a male Betta fish in a fish bowl with a plant?
<Just conditioned tapwater will do fine.>
Arrowhead type bottled water or distilled water?
<If these are the ONLY options, do NOT use distilled water; at least use drinking water.  However, it would be better for the fish (more constant pH, etc.) if you simply use tapwater - just be sure to use a conditioner that removes chlorine and chloramine in the water before using it for the Betta.  Wishing you well,  -Sabrina>

Betta system
Hi Chuck
Thanks to your recommendations I will house my 1 Betta splendens alone without Otocinclus
I'm getting a 10 gallon aquarium a small Marineland (brand-if possible) outside power filter with the bio wheel sand for substrate a few plants that you've mentioned...You've mentioned to "tie" the java fern (attractive plant) to driftwood - if I want a plant that seems grounded-will the roots take hold on the wood being that they can't in sand?
< Java ferns roots often rot in sand so many aquarists tie them on to rocks and driftwood fore awhile until the new roots take hold.>
The plants you've mentioned: hornwort, Naja grass are all floaters? - do any of them have long reeds that grow down to bottom.  And sand is preferable to gravel for my Betta being more good bacteria can colonize..
<These floating plants eventually will send down runners that will root in the gravel. Probably not where you want then. A good choice for a plant that is anchored in the sand would be a Crypt wendtii. Not too particular about light or water. Grows best in a Fluorite substrate by SeaChem. I have one in a 50 gallon tank that gets to be the size of a basketball every year under ideal conditions. It won't grow that fast in a small 1o gallon>
I'm glad you've mentioned these varieties of plants I'm not clear on the "Pothos plant" you mean to just have its roots in tank - the plant itself is not submerged in water?
< You can get then at any nursery. Wash off the roots or break a stem off and place the lower end it in the aquarium in the corner out of the way were it will get some indirect light. Eventually it will start rooting and the plant will take off.>
would I have to secure the plant tie it to something,
<They do like to grow so a trellis of some sort would help support it.>
you like the Pothos cause its roots suck up the nitrites very well. Just trying to picture the image - hope it wont be an eye sore.
< This plant is not needed, but it is an option. It is just a suggestion to try something new. Other people have done this in those jars/vases with a Betta in the bottom and a plant growing out of the top. It is the same idea.>
So I take it you recommend "sand" for substrate and the plants that go with it for my one Betta in 10 gal tank. Just noticing the plants seem to be mostly floaters  - I would like some long reed-like or plants which start from bottom-up-(rooty plants) if that's possible with sand.
< The Val's or sag's produce long grass like leaves and many runners. The do well under bright light conditions, but may require occasional fertilization.
You've also mentioned when I vacuum - to do 1/2 the tank 1st my Betta will move to other side. Do you mean I should vacuum only 1/2 the sand for a week then the other (side) 1/2 sand following week?
< Just alternate from side to side every time you do a water change. This will keep the bacteria healthy and the sand clean.>
I called my aquarium store they don't carry Bio-Spira by Marineland, they carry: "stress zyme", "cycle" and "Bactervital" which would you recommend?
< The rest of these are all equal in their effectiveness.>
this might seem like silly ques. - sand wont irritate his gills -do I need a certain grade of sand maybe medium?
< Bettas are not sand sifters. Some species of fish do mouth sand and gravel for food but you don't have to worry about this with Bettas.>
And is it better to use a starter solution for cycling along with my one Betta I'm buying the whole package any day now being that fall is setting in thanks again Diane
< The starter solutions would definitely help.-Chuck>

Betta Questions
Hello,
<Hi...Jorie here tonight.>
I have recently purchased a Betta and got him settled into his tank. He was very shy at first and refused to eat.
<This is altogether normal, as long as it doesn't go on for more than a few days.  It takes Bettas a little bit to "settle in".>
I tested the pH of the water after a couple of days and found that it was extremely low (around 5-it turns out we have very soft water here, which I didn't know before) I did a half water change with bottled water to try to raise the pH.
<Although we humans love it, bottled water isn't the greatest thing for fish, as it is missing important trace elements and minerals.  Perhaps look into an inexpensive water filter such as the one put out by Aquarium Pharmaceuticals...this unit will produce what's known as de-ionized water, and you can purchase a couple of supplements to add the necessary elements back, and adjust the pH (the pair sold by Aquarium Pharma. are called ElectroRight and pH Adjust, respectively. Simple to use and very accurate - I used them for a couple of years without problem.>
He's been fine since the water change, began to eat (he was spitting his food out at first), built a bubble nest, etc., only now he's become extremely aggressive. While he still doesn't react if I put him in front of a mirror, he flares up if he sees my fingers near the bowl or if he sees my face when I'm  trying to look into the bowl from the side. Is this normal? I'm just worried that since he's flaring so often he's going to get stressed out.
<This is completely normal, don't worry! Bettas are such neat little creatures, and each one really does have his own personality.  I've got two Bettas right now (separate tanks of course!), and one is meek and timid, and the other is just as you describe.  Both are quite healthy.>
I looked all over for an answer to my question and couldn't find one, so  I'm hoping you can help me. I don't want to hurt him if I can help it.
<It sounds like you are taking very, very good care of your guy...what's his name? Bubble nests are always a good sign...usually means near-optimum conditions, so kudos to you for that.  Also, it's great that you pay such close attention to your Betta's actions.  Have fun with him...since he doesn't respond to the mirror, just put your face or finger in front of the tank a few minutes each day to let him exercise.  Sounds like he has a very nice home!
Thank you,
Ashley.
<You're welcome, Ashley.  Take care, Jorie>

Betta Questions
Hi Jorie (or whoever reads this, I suppose :) )
<Yep, it's still me, Jorie>
I wasn't sure what to do about the water issue because I knew that  bottled water takes out some of the minerals but I wanted to get the pH up since it was so low. I thought that since I don't really have the resources here at college to deal with a filter that making a half dechlorinated tap water/half bottled water combo would be the easiest way to up the PH and try to make sure that D'Artagnan has everything he needs. I will look into all that you suggested, though, and see if it would be possible for me to prepare large quantities of water while I'm at home on Thanksgiving break and bring it back in  gallon
jugs for class.
<Hi Ashley.  Sounds like you made a wise decision having weighed the options.  I haven't tried it myself, but you could investigate whether a product like ElectroRight would add essential elements back into bottled water, in addition to reverse osmosis and/or de-ionized water, as it's meant for.  That might do the trick.  Or, in all reality, you may be OK with your "half and half" theory...sounds reasonable and smart to me. And yes, you could, if you wanted to, prepare water at home and store it in gallon containers, if you had the space...>
Thank you for your prompt reply! I haven't owned a fish in a very long  time, and I've never owned a Betta, so I'm kind of nervous. :)
<You should be just fine. Bettas are relatively easy to care for, and you sound as though you are doing a great job. Please let me know if you have more questions, though, and good luck in school! Jorie>
And I'm very glad to hear that it's not a bad thing that he's started to flare up at me. I was concerned that it was a bad sign.
<Not at all. Just a feisty little guy you have!>
Thanks again,
Ashley
<You are welcome. Jorie>

Betta Habitat
I just lost my Betta, Sam.  Sam and I had been together for a year and I talked to him all the time.  I was amazed at how much he understood.  I am a teacher, and deliberately tried to teach him by saying the same things in the same way and same tone of voice, much as I had done when I had a dog.
<<Ok.>>
I thought I was doing him a favor two months ago, when I purchased a ten-gallon tank with a heater and filter.  And I bought three Neon Tetras to keep him company.  But he seemed to be jealous of these little guys and chased them around and ate their food.  (He stopped chasing them when I told him to, and I told him what a "good fish" he was, but of course he started again when he thought I wasn't looking.)  He may have been eating too much, which may have led to his demise.  ?????????????
<<Bettas can be kept successfully with many other species of fish. I doubt the overeating led to his demise, unless the uneaten food at the bottom of the tank helped contribute to deteriorating water quality.>>
When he lived in a (one gallon) bowl, I cleaned it every week, including his plants, rocks and gravel.  I changed out two cups of water each morning and one cup at night.  I let the water sit around for a couple of days, but did not use dechlorinator.  I fed him five pieces of Betta bio gold one piece at a time first thing in the morning.  (I called them "dried bugs").  I tried to do the same thing in the aquarium, and fed the tetras flake food.  It worked for a while, but then he figured what I was doing, before they even knew I had fed them; he swam to the opposite end and ate their flakes.
<<Most tetras are faster than Bettas. If these tetras were not fast enough to snag some food, then perhaps they are weakened by toxins in the water:
please test the water for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrates. By the way, tetras and Bettas eat the same foods in nature.>>
Anyway, I now have this tank and equipment, plants, gravel and three little tetras.  I am wondering whether to buy another Betta.  And if I do, should I keep the tetras, or would he be happier alone?  What about a mirror?
<<No mirror. Get the water tested for the above things, and buy a new Betta only if the water quality tests fine. I don't mean a pH test, you must ask to have ammonia, nitrite, and nitrates tested. You need to know these values.>>
In the aquarium I changed out maybe a gallon and a half of water each week.
I know I need to clean it; I don't know how often.????????????????  
<<A nitrate test kit will tell you this. Regular water testing will give you test results, which you then compare to the color charts they come with. Keep your nitrates in the 5-20ppm range by doing partial water changes.>>
Do I clean the tank as I did his bowl?  Do I rinse the plants and clean the rocks?  
<<Buy a syphon at your LFS to vacuum your gravel with.>>
I used dishwasher detergent for his rocks and bowl, then rinsed three times as the dishwasher does.  I certainly would need to clean the gravel.
Nedra
<<Never use detergent in a tank, or on the decor. This is poisonous. All you need to do is vacuum the gravel weekly, and remove about 25-50% of the water, which you will replace with dechlorinated water at the same temperature. You can rinse plants and other decor with tapwater ONLY. Good luck.
-Gwen>>