Bettas - Questions On Care....

Bettas dont need to be fed every day... if you visit as often as you say you would I would just feed it every time you're there or maybe do one or two feedings every 2-3 days.
As far as fish go they arent very demanding, they arent known to be extremely active so you can feed less, and are relatively hardy

if you follow the basics, and if theres no freak occurrence, itd be pretty hard to not take good care of a betta.
 
I don't know much about betta myself but I know for both my cichlids and crayfish I feed twice a day every second day leaving one day with no food. My reasons behind this are that they are natural hunters/ scavengers so it mimics their habitat. But to answer your question I do not see why this would hurt the fish in the long run to miss a day or two of feeding, just make up for it the next time you feed it cause he is probably gunna be hungry :p
 
Yes they will scavenge if not fed and that will help to clean up some of the uneaten food that may have been missed. Also there are microorganisms growing on things esp plants. I personally wouldn't increase the feeding when you are there - they can manage on 1 feed every couple of days. Whilst it's might be nice to think they are fed every day, it isn't necessary.
 
Starletta said:
 
I'm wondering what happened that your mum ended up in a nursing home for. Is she really capable of care for the fish? Are her roommates/nursing staff capable of not killing the fish? Seriously on these two questions. You dont want to know why I have to ask.
 
I can attest that most nursing homes have the heaters set to 75+ in the rooms... If anything the water could run hot. Goldfish would be a bad suggestion based on this.
She is 84 yrs old and had a number of hip surgeries, which keep her from living on her own again.  Basically, wheelchair bound at the moment.  My sister and I visit her often (the facility is close by), and my Niece (her Grand daughter) is a Nurse at the same Nursing Home. Great for my own peace of mind, and for the fish. So between the 3 of us, it will be fed properly.
 
I would take care of ALL the water changing and ask my sister and Niece to help with feeding the fish.   In fact, I was going to draft up "Rules", print them out and post it by the fish tank. And a small calendar to keep track of feedings.
 
I'm not worried about the other Residents, as the rooms are on the small side and you have to literally squeeze between her bed and the window. Although, I am going to put the tank on a small dresser in the same area and not on the window sill.  They have Parakeets in the hallway and no one seems to bother them, plus a huge tank in the hallway with Angel fish.
 
Which leads to another question before I get her a Betta.  I have a guide book to fish keeping and the Author says fish can go for over a week without food?   I've also read it on here to stop feeding for a small time, when people get high ammonia levels.   Would this apply to a Betta as well?  
 
Again, I won't get it unless it will be properly cared for. I just want to get all my answers before I proceed. Thanks!
 
A lot of people at the home change rooms because of their roommates. Some roommates can be violent, confused or both. I have seen residents throw things across the rooms, knock things over, and generally cause havoc. If you feel it's a safe place, well then I'm not going to tell you not to do it. Just be aware there is some risk at these facilities.
 
And putting a typed note above/around the fish tank is smart! Nurses use notes around residents rooms all the time for health particulars.
 
Good luck!
 
DreamertK said:
 
 


I'm wondering what happened that your mum ended up in a nursing home for. Is she really capable of care for the fish? Are her roommates/nursing staff capable of not killing the fish? Seriously on these two questions. You dont want to know why I have to ask.
 
I can attest that most nursing homes have the heaters set to 75+ in the rooms... If anything the water could run hot. Goldfish would be a bad suggestion based on this.
She is 84 yrs old and had a number of hip surgeries, which keep her from living on her own again.  Basically, wheelchair bound at the moment.  My sister and I visit her often (the facility is close by), and my Niece (her Grand daughter) is a Nurse at the same Nursing Home. Great for my own peace of mind, and for the fish. So between the 3 of us, it will be fed properly.
 
I would take care of ALL the water changing and ask my sister and Niece to help with feeding the fish.   In fact, I was going to draft up "Rules", print them out and post it by the fish tank. And a small calendar to keep track of feedings.
 
I'm not worried about the other Residents, as the rooms are on the small side and you have to literally squeeze between her bed and the window. Although, I am going to put the tank on a small dresser in the same area and not on the window sill.  They have Parakeets in the hallway and no one seems to bother them, plus a huge tank in the hallway with Angel fish.
 
Which leads to another question before I get her a Betta.  I have a guide book to fish keeping and the Author says fish can go for over a week without food?   I've also read it on here to stop feeding for a small time, when people get high ammonia levels.   Would this apply to a Betta as well?  
 
Again, I won't get it unless it will be properly cared for. I just want to get all my answers before I proceed. Thanks!
 
A lot of people at the home change rooms because of their roommates. Some roommates can be violent, confused or both. I have seen residents throw things across the rooms, knock things over, and generally cause havoc. If you feel it's a safe place, well then I'm not going to tell you not to do it. Just be aware there is some risk at these facilities.
 
And putting a typed note above/around the fish tank is smart! Nurses use notes around residents rooms all the time for health particulars.
 
Good luck!
 


Agree..  I am a CNA, but do homecare.   Too darn hot in the Nursing Homes for very little pay.  Although, I am going back to school in September and train to become a EMT (Emergency Medical Technician)   Homecare is very boring...   zzzzzz
My mom's roommate, sadly has Alzheimer's and is extremely quiet. And as stated before, the rooms are on the small side and it would be a squeeze to get to the spot where I plan on putting the Betta.
 
Whilst it's a lovely idea Starletta, it is beginning to look like there are probably going to be too many variables for you to try to control when you can't be around all the time.
We have fish tanks at work and there are still some staff who think that it's ok to feed the fish whenever they come to the front of the tank when approached because " that must mean they are hungry"! All the notes in the world won't stop someone giving your fish extra feeds when they are sentimental about fish.
 
Starletta said:
Agree..  I am a CNA, but do homecare.   Too darn hot in the Nursing Homes for very little pay.  Although, I am going back to school in September and train to become a EMT (Emergency Medical Technician)   Homecare is very boring...   zzzzzz
My mom's roommate, sadly has Alzheimer's and is extremely quiet. And as stated before, the rooms are on the small side and it would be a squeeze to get to the spot where I plan on putting the Betta.
Well then it seems the only factor left is getting a fish that prefers cold water, though the filter is a pertinent item that every tank should have... I'd vote against the goldfish since they outgrow the tank. Perhaps maybe some cardinal tetras if it's a 10g?
 
...My gourami is staring at me...he's thinking "who are you talking to?? ...this plant sure looks tasty".
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