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Yes the sponges the pet store sells can be cut to size. Look for course sponge and a small pack of ceramic rings for extra surface area for your BB. Wasmewasntit posted more examples of media you could use. I like to layer my media with course sponge first, filter floss then the ceramic rings...

You could also try DIY media so you don't have to keep buying cartridges. I like to use some course sponge, filter floss and ceramic rings in my HOB. I have yet to replace any media in the 3 years my tank has been running. Except for the filter floss which start to disintegrate after a couple of...

Yes, bettas rest a lot. It's normal for them to rest in different areas of the tank as long as they also still explore and swim around. It sounds like your filter is too strong for your betta. You might want to look into a getting a sponge filter instead of the one that came with the tank or try...

No problem. If you need any other help or cycling advice let us know.

Btw my blue marble has a slightly wavy dorsal fin but no deterioration in the 3 years I've had him. In my opinion it's most likely a deformity from bad genetics. Betta splendens are mass bred these days and chain stores don't care about the source as long as they get the bettas they need. As a...

I don't see any fin rot. The crinkles are just his rays with a possible deformity. If you got him from a big chain pet store then he likely has poor genetics so this kind of thing is to be expected. On a side note, it's super important with longer finned bettas to keep their water extra clean...

I also wanted to add onto to what Byron is saying. In order to properly understand how to manipulate pH you need to to understand kH and gH. Though imo kH is more important when it comes to raising and keeping pH stable because it acts as a buffer.

Honestly I would just stock it with cichlids that prefer a lower pH so you don't have to mess with your water chemistry.

I do a weekly 50-60% water change and vacuum the substrate in my 5 gallon betta tank. The filter media gets rinsed every couple of weeks to de-clog it. The hob filter itself gets taken apart and thoroughly cleaned maybe every month or so. Since it's a small tank if I have time I sometimes also...

Negotiation (because the AH JD trial is on in the background at work)

Large water changes will not cause a mini-cycle since most of the beneficial bacteria are ON surfaces and filter media not in the water column. Mini-cycles happen when people throw away filter media or over clean the tank.

Never change the filter media or throw it away. That is where the majority of your beneficial bacteria will colonize and reside. I would recommend adding sponge and ceramic rings instead of filter cartridges. You'll have to cut out the carbon and keep the filter floss anyway since carbon becomes...

I assume you are fishless cycling? I would definitely do a large WC to lower your nitrates. This will not negatively affect your cycle. You can use fish food as a substitute for pure ammonia, but it will be harder to dose accurately and it will take a couple of days to decompose and produce...

Nevermind

It could be the early stages of hexamita.

Yo

Hey everyone! I have a betta named Spike and he's my first and only fish which I've had for almost 3 years now. A true pandemic fish lol. I've learned so much during my fish-keeping journey and I can't wait to learn more. Here's a picture of the old man:

Prawns aren't a good staple for bettas... maybe as a treat. They are insectivores so mosquito larvae, black fly larvae, tubifex worms, daphnia, brine shrimp, bloodworms etc are much more nutritionally sound options to feed.

Never deliberately. If I'm too busy he may miss a meal, but I don't purposely fast him, never needed to.

You might get lucky and he has the marbling gene where he will change colour. I've seen some pale bettas like that when placed in optimal conditions change to dark blue or red and continue to change throughout their lives. I'm not 100% on betta genetics but it might be a possibility. Could also...

Side note, I thought scientists refrained from naming their specimens?

Yeah I wouldn't call him an "experiment". That's a life your dealing with, and I surely hope as a "scientist" you've done your research regarding how to properly take care of him. In the best of conditions they can live 3 years even 5, so buckle up. If you actually know what you're doing this...

Agree with a tumor, but as a side note the PH of 8.2 is very high for a betta's liking unless he's already acclimated to that PH. They prefer 6-7. Other than that I have no idea what is going on with your beautiful boy.

Noted to limit the frozen blood worms after he's sufficiently chunky. Also brine shrimp is annoying to feed, I usually only do so if it's before a water change or If I have time for a tiny water change after to vac any remnants. What are the other foods you feed if I may ask?

Do blood worms and brine shrimp really have that much fat? If so i'm cool because i'm trying to get his weight up a little (and it's working), but I was just wondering. Brine shrimp should be a lean protein shouldn't it? What's the fat % for the frozen foods mentioned VS betta pellets? I have so...

I'm glad to hear it, it must've been a minor injury. My guy took a week to grow his 1 scale back, must've been a deeper wound.

Definitely seems like fin rot. What is the size of the tank, and how often do you do water changes? What are the parameters? When he is kept in ideal conditions his colours will become more vibrant.

75% water changes is a bit excessive. What size is the tank? If you do water changes every 2ish days and put a drop or so of stress coat on him it'll help with healing. Avoid the salt for now and just keep the tank warm and clean.

You need a water conditioner.

Personally, I feed mine pellets, frozen brine shrimp, frozen blood worms and occasionally bug bite flakes as a "snack".

Thank you this was very helpful. I have a 5 gallon for him right now, would a 3.5 gal be an okay holding tank? Side note, I strongly agree with both quotes in your signature.

Me too :) I'm kind of hoping with time his whole body will turn blue (it seems to be) and his fins will still be whiteish.

Another thing to consider is that some bettas just have crappy genetics and are more prone to tail splitting than others. Especially Halfmoon tail types.

Here's an updated picture of Merlin after about a month. Wow I forgot how dull he used to be.

I want to switch to a darker substrate and I came across this in my research: "Because changing gravel can be invasive, it's advisable to move the fish into a temporary holding tank. If you don't have a spare tank, purchase a 10-gallon tank. It only costs about $10 and can be used as a hospital...

This is Merlin. I've had him for 3 days now :)