Bettas?

[Jane]

I saw some pics on another forums and bettas are sooooo cute. :P Anyone have any? Does anyone know of any half-decent betta (or just fishy) forums?

Cheerios :P

Jane

[Tom_cat]

www.fishcrazy.co.uk I use this forum

[kellyandpiggies]

What's them?

[Jane]

Fishies :P

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betta

Thanks tom cat :)

[Tom_cat]

Its ok

[NikiG]

Hi Jane, do you mean the Betta Splendens (Siamese fighting fish)?
They are so beautiful they are anabantoids, part of the gouramis family which mean they can breath atmospheric air, they have what's called a 'labyrinth' behind their gills, which gives them the edge over other fish, they can survive in poorer water conditions but it's not advisable!

If you have a new aquarium don't introduce one for at least 4 weeks so that your water and filter and good bacteria get chance to build up.

You can also only have one male as they fight each other to the death, but you can have as many females in with him as you want, in fact it's advisable to have a couple so that he will show his fins off most of the time! Otherwise he will sulk in the plants and hide most of the time. They are peaceable with other community fish but beware you don't put any fin nippers in with him like some of the Barb and Tetra families can, otherwise they will hurt him, tear his beautiful finage and probably kill him.

They also like higher temperatures than other tropical fish.

I had a beautiful blue/purple one that i called 'indigo', but i changed my filter and had loads of trouble getting the water right and had to do a water change nearly every day cos the ammonia level was continually too high, this stressed him so much he died. :'(
Try these;

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/bettasplendens/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betta_splendens

http://www.bettysplendens.com/articles/home.imp

http://www.bettatalk.com/

If you need any more help, just give us a shout!
have fun, they are beautiful to look at!
Niki x

[Jane]

Yep that is what I mean Niki, I've only ever seen them called bettas ;) Thanks for all of that. I don't plan to get one/some soon but they look soo cute so I'm doing some research. How many gallons does the tank need to be? Thanks for all of that :D I'll have a look at those links!

Jane

[NikiG]

You could put them in any size tank as long as you can fit a heater and filter, but just remember that the smaller the tank the less fish, a lot die due to overcrowding tanks.
People don't realize that your fish grow and need more space (just like the piggies! :)) so just be carefull how many fish you put in with him, if he is your main fish just pop a few commuity fish i with him,
Niki x

[Tom_cat]

If you put in an angel fish, The betta will think it is another male betta because of its fins, so just watch out with them, dont put any fish with big flowing fins, he will attack them.

[NikiG]

You shouldn't put Angelfish in a community tank anyway, they should really just be with other Angel fish as they themselves are fin nippers and quite aggressive,
Niki x

[kellyandpiggies]

LOL oh! Fighting fish! We had one!

[NikiG]

They really are beautiful, what colour was yours Kelly?
Niki x

[NikiG]

Here are some pics of my Betta, 'Indigo 2'.

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k150/tgpf/BettaSplendensIndigo2015.jpg
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k150/tgpf/BettaSplendensIndigo2014.jpg
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k150/tgpf/BettaSplendensIndigo2011.jpg
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k150/tgpf/BettaSplendensIndigo2020.jpg

[Jane]

AWw Niki he(?) is beautiful :D What size tank is he in?

[NikiG]

Yes he's a he! He's in an 80 litre tank,
Niki x

[miss_piggy]

My sister had some of these. They died very quickly infortunately. They are very beautiful fish though.

[NikiG]

That's a shame, as i agree they are very beautiful. This is my second fighter, my 1st 'Indigo 1' was also blue (hence the name!), but i've seen alsorts of colours; red, purple, orange, white etc.....
Niki x

[miss_piggy]

My sisters were purply/blue too. Red one's must look awesome!

[Jane]

Yes he's a he! He's in an 80 litre tank,
Niki x


Is that about 20 gallons? Does any other fishies else live with him? Any photos of his tank? :D