. - Topic The People of Pluba Land

quote:
Originally posted by Adrianne:
Bettas are agoraphobic, which I learned in a physcology class means very afraid of large of unfamiliar spaces. In this case, it would be large. A 10 gallon is PLENTY big for a betta. Anything larger than that could stress the betta out too much and cause for a much shorter life, and even the recourse of a sickness they've had in the past. As far as tank mates go, I've never had any problem with white clouds. I've never tried anything other than that, but those have always been great. Also, I'm glad to hear you're using live plants. Plastic plants can beat up their fins very badly. Silk and live plants are definitely the best way to go.

quote:
Originally posted by CHCanine:
Any betta people out there? Ive never been much of a fish person but I recently purchased a gorgeous Betta and set him up in a nice little 10 gallon tank with a filter, heater, and some live plants--I couldnt bear to plop him in a little bowl...

In all that I have read, I never heard of them being agoraphobic!!???? How on earth would they survive in the wild if that was true. I wouldnt keep a Great Dane in a one-room apt nor would I keep a fish in a tiny bowl or tank less than 10 gallons.

The Mollies are still thriving 7 months later and I have been adding about 1 tbsp of salt each water change. After doing a lot of reading, I found out that most Mollies are raised in fresh water so they live fine without salt, however I decided that I would add a small amount salt for the minerals and electrolytes it adds to the water. So far so good; even the Cory Cat and Betta have remained disease free and are really thriving. My Cichlids are also really vibrant and thriving so im really liking the affect the salt has had on both tanks. I have also found that feeding fresh Bloodworms makes a HUGE difference in growth and condition.

I agree about PetsMart treating their animals well. They also put fresh vegtables in their African tanks.[/QUOTE]

Kinzel's

Newba Pluba
Picture of Kinzel's

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Anybody got anymore pics of their fish?? I love the pics!!

Posts: 249 | Registered: Thu April 21 2005

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Doxiechick

Grand Pluba

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quote:
Hey dont support petco or petsmart they treat animals porley

Any "pet", be it fish, hamsters, birds, whatever, that you buy from a petstore are going to be treated a certain amount of poor to begin with. Petstores buy from places that breed in volume, yes there are hamster mills, fish mills, etc they just are not typically referred to as such.

As far as Betas, yes, they like to troll around in a small space as their original environment were rice patties. They LOVE worms. Hartz makes a variety of a blood worm that comes in individual packets...squeeze a small amount of that worm and blood in there and watch your betta practically SING!!! Yeah, it sounds gross, but come on, its a fish and that is what they like. I give mine this treat on occasion to stir things up, as life is boring in a bowl with the same diet everyday.

The whole peace lily/flower vase phenonema was the worst thing to ever happen to the poor betta fish. People buying them as an ornament are not usually as likely to care for them properly. And some of these do it yourself packages even say "you don't have to feed the beta it will live off the root". Oh my God I wonder how many of these poor fish died a slow and painful death. Bettas are not Vegetarians!!!
They do not eat plants or roots!!!

Since they do NOT like moving water, your best bet is to assemble a non filtrated tank in a gallon (no less please!) or two gallon tank preferably and fill it with some live plants and on occasion put in a drop or two of aquarium bacteria to keep it all in check. WHomever said something about plastic plants is correct - because of the small space to begin with the fish will graze against those plastic plants and the scales will become irritated and fins will shred. The fins are very delicate and give them their beauty.

A betta really does not need more than a two gallon tank. More than that and it really does stress them out.

And if you want to see a betta in all of its splendor and glory, put it in a two gallon tank with a mild aquarium heater and watch that baby stay puffed out. They love warmth. Ever see a betta just limp and lifeless hanging in the bowl? It's too cold. That is why.

They are such a beautiful fish. I just hate the way this fad has exploded as so many of them sit in that little dish in the petstore and most die before finding a perm. home. Just because THEY CAN breathe in such a small space does not mean they WANT to or that it is not very cruel.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Be more concerned with your character than with your reputation. Your character is what you really are while your reputation is merely what others think you are." -Dale Carnegie

Posts: 12495 | Location (City, State): Somewhere over the rainbow | Registered: Mon July 28 2003

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Doxiechick

Grand Pluba

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Ok, my Betta is an oddball. He adores the Mollies that he lives with and often gently rubs up against them and leans.

All bettas are not the same that is for sure. Some are SUPER aggressive. I had one that bit the tentacles off of a snail i put in and killed it. Had others that were oblivious to a snail. Just different personalities i guess. But as a norm they usually do NOT like agitation in the water. You must have a very soft filtration system CHCanine. Their fins are so delicate and plentiful that filtration usually drives them nuts. Plus their natural habitat is very still water.

They are beautiful fish tho. My very favorite. I love my goldfish and Koi too that are out in my pond. But i think goldfish and koi are akin to the dog and betta to the cat (if you ever thought of comparing them to mammals. LOL). Ever notice that? The goldfish are hyper and always looking to eat, much like a dog. Bettas are more methodical and slow moving, predators, like the cat.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Be more concerned with your character than with your reputation. Your character is what you really are while your reputation is merely what others think you are." -Dale Carnegie

Posts: 12495 | Location (City, State): Somewhere over the rainbow | Registered: Mon July 28 2003

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Sure is nice to have somoene that knows a lot about them as well. THank you for posting!!!

quote:
Originally posted by Doxiechick:
quote:
Hey dont support petco or petsmart they treat animals porley

Any "pet", be it fish, hamsters, birds, whatever, that you buy from a petstore are going to be treated a certain amount of poor to begin with. Petstores buy from places that breed in volume, yes there are hamster mills, fish mills, etc they just are not typically referred to as such.

As far as Betas, yes, they like to troll around in a small space as their original environment were rice patties. They LOVE worms. Hartz makes a variety of a blood worm that comes in individual packets...squeeze a small amount of that worm and blood in there and watch your betta practically SING!!! Yeah, it sounds gross, but come on, its a fish and that is what they like. I give mine this treat on occasion to stir things up, as life is boring in a bowl with the same diet everyday.

The whole peace lily/flower vase phenonema was the worst thing to ever happen to the poor betta fish. People buying them as an ornament are not usually as likely to care for them properly. And some of these do it yourself packages even say "you don't have to feed the beta it will live off the root". Oh my God I wonder how many of these poor fish died a slow and painful death. Bettas are not Vegetarians!!!
They do not eat plants or roots!!!

Since they do NOT like moving water, your best bet is to assemble a non filtrated tank in a gallon (no less please!) or two gallon tank preferably and fill it with some live plants and on occasion put in a drop or two of aquarium bacteria to keep it all in check. WHomever said something about plastic plants is correct - because of the small space to begin with the fish will graze against those plastic plants and the scales will become irritated and fins will shred. The fins are very delicate and give them their beauty.

A betta really does not need more than a two gallon tank. More than that and it really does stress them out.

And if you want to see a betta in all of its splendor and glory, put it in a two gallon tank with a mild aquarium heater and watch that baby stay puffed out. They love warmth. Ever see a betta just limp and lifeless hanging in the bowl? It's too cold. That is why.

They are such a beautiful fish. I just hate the way this fad has exploded as so many of them sit in that little dish in the petstore and most die before finding a perm. home. Just because THEY CAN breathe in such a small space does not mean they WANT to or that it is not very cruel.

Doxiechick

Grand Pluba

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Some of the fish should not be together but how do you tell a 4 year old no to a fish she "must have".

Trying to figure out how to not be blunt with this one, but i can't. How about just "no".
I guess that is just a peeve of mine - kids that young and pets. My rule in my house is they don't get one until old enough to care for it properly.

The concern is those small fish in there with that betta. You may think they are doing fine, but i will bet there are plenty of times the small ones, especially the neons, are plagued to death by some of those bigger fish. Just not fair to the Neon.

Someone mentioned a fantail goldfish in their tank...that is typically bad, bad news as the betta thinks it is another male betta because of the fins and such.

Adrianne, you are very welcome for my posts!

Also, about salt in the water, all fish, even non tropical, can stand some salt in the water. It helps promote the slime coat that they need to keep healthy and disease resistant. Just always do a search on how much salt to use in your size tank. And always NON IODIZED. You don't even have to buy the stuff from the petstore. Canning Salt works great and you can get it from the grocery store.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Be more concerned with your character than with your reputation. Your character is what you really are while your reputation is merely what others think you are." -Dale Carnegie

Posts: 12495 | Location (City, State): Somewhere over the rainbow | Registered: Mon July 28 2003

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I used to breed bettas, and they actually do quite nicely in a community setting, stay away from clown knifes,gourami, oscars and the like, goldfish, mollies, guppies, some of the less agressive tetras and most catfish species as well as a lot of other little community fish do quite well as they have are fairly peacable and don't antagonize the betta into attacking them.