Do bettas need a heater?

[Skylar]

I am going to Wal-mart today to get a 1 gallon tank (or a 2 gallon vase type thing if there is no 1 gallons. Mom would rather I get a vase to put on the mantle.) I am also going to get a rescue boy. Got a few ?'s though.

1) Do bettas need a heater?
2) Would he prefer a small plant or a large plant? xD Just wondering if bettas prefer to lie on them closer to the surface or not.
3) what sort of things should i look for in a fataly sick betta?

 

[Skylar]

B-U-M-P!!

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Heaters benifet all tropical fish and bettas are technically tropical- a heater will not only heat the tank but also help prevent large fluctuations in tank temperature, which can cause stress for the fish if left to fluctuate.
It depends if you want live or fake plants; plastic plants can tear a bettas fins but silk ones don't, live plants are always good as they help maintain better water quality- i would personally go for a larger plant instead of smaller one as im sure he/she will apreiciate it.

As for the illnesses, some deseases which may be totally fatal to one betta may be easily cured in another so it depends on the betta, but some things to look out for;
a. Ragged/torn fins or ones with white/grey lining to edges or are fluffy- this usually spells finrot.
b. large white patchs/fluffy white or grey growths, white or grey slimey or flat looking patches can all mean fungus or columaris or slime coat disorders.
c. small white spots can spell white spot of velvet.
d. inability to maintain balance/stay upright in water means a swim bladder disorder- i would personally avoid as the recovery rate from this is very slim at best.
e. eyes popping out- pop eye
f. pine cone effect on scales- dropsy, avoid as very slim recovery rate at best.
g. inflamed gills, flicking or rubbing on objects, can mean a variety of things like gill parasites or velvet for example, but usually just bad water quality.

These are just a few things to list, but there are many more to look out for.

 

[Skylar]

I'll be keeping the betta in the warmest spot possible in my house. Would it be okay if I kept him near a sunny window?

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

No not realy as during the day the light from the sun will heat the tank up and at night it will make it cold- the same is true if the weather suddenly turns cold. The problem with temperature fluctuations is the stress they cause to fish can often bring on illnesses.
I would fill the tank up with water as see what temp its at after a day just to see what temp it will roughly be at anyways in the room

 

[Kinda Fishey]

Skylar
I wouldn't depend on a window for warmth . I believe it will be too hot during the day, then the temps will fall at night . One extreme to the other. Your betta can probably stand 74F water, or 84F water but he can't stand it all in one day.
If it were me, I would get the vase/bowl/tank , and heater first . Set it up moniter the temp, until it was just right for about a week. In the mean time you can use water from an established tank to get your betta's home started, and read up on sickneses
If your not going have light, I would use java moss, or fern .They can stand low light.
Take your time , your betta and you will be happier in the long run.
Happy Bettas
KF

 

[guppy_man]

well i have had my middle age female plakat betta in a 5 gallon tank with just a filter a floating plant and a terracotta pot in the tank for about 3 months and she is doing fine.

 

[Skylar]

I don't quite like the idea of having a large clunky heater going down the side of my betta "vase". I can take the thermometer outta my large tank and plunk it inside the "vase/tank" and monitor the temperatures in certain areas.
Also, I don't plan on putting water from an existing tank in there as; a) it provides no bacteria for the new tank and B) I dont want to cycle it, because it's easier to clean it every few days.

Skylar

Going to pick up my betta boy tonite hopefully!!!!!!!!

 

[Kinda Fishey]

Of course adding water from a healthy , cycled tank , provides bacteria, to help take care of amonia , and nitrites. That way the new water dosen't have to cycle while your fish sits in waste and amonia. If you filled his vase with clean cycled water ,there would be no break in period , and he would have much less stress.
If you've allready made your mind up about the tank, and heater, why did you ask for advise?
The only reason I made this last post, is I don't want any
lurking new person to be misled by your statements.
Good Luck with your fish
KF

 

[cation]

Of course adding water from a healthy , cycled tank , provides bacteria, to help take care of amonia , and nitrites. That way the new water dosen't have to cycle while your fish sits in waste and amonia. If you filled his vase with clean cycled water ,there would be no break in period , and he would have much less stress.

Actually, tank WATER contains very few beneficial bacteria. Most of the bacterial colonies are found onsurfaces - they like to be in one place, it's not like they're plankton!

This is why transferring gravel or filter media IS an effective way to transfer beneficial bacteria - there will be colonies of bacteria growing on these surfaces.

Either way, transferring bacteria to an unfiltered, unaerated tank/vase is an exercise in futility. The bacterial comonies need oxygenated water - more oxygenated then simple o2 surface exchange provides.

The only reason I made this last post, is I don't want any
lurking new person to be misled by your statements.

Right back atcha, tiger. Make sure you know your info before you incorrectly "correct people", especially if you're going to be obvious about calling them on it.

 

[Kinda Fishey]

Cation
There are a lot of opinions. I don't know any experianced aquarist who wouldn't use aged, or " old" water if given the choice. I believe the fish is stressed less , and thats the way I do it.
Do you also approve of setting the tank in a sunny window ?.
Are you counciling her to get the fish and tank and set it all up at one time. What happened to patience , planning. You and Skyler may not like clunkey heaters, but I bet the betta likes them . Starting a thread asking for advice, when your aim is really to tell everyone you are about to get a betta , and then dismissing good advice , and doing what you knew you were going to do all the time , is rude. And a waste of time.
As is calling me names.
Have a good day
Kf

 

[cation]

There are a lot of opinions. I don't know any experianced aquarist who wouldn't use aged, or " old" water if given the choice. I believe the fish is stressed less , and thats the way I do it.

Aged water traditionally means water that has been left in a holding container, not water that comes from a tank.

Do you also approve of setting the tank in a sunny window ?

Nope. But Tokis had already appropriately answered that question, no need for correction there...

Are you counciling her to get the fish and tank and set it all up at one time

Why not? It's a small container, s/he's not cycling it, and is going to be doing 100% water changes at least 2x a week. This is how many pros care for their bettas. None of my bettas have filtered tanks, except the female community. The same is the case for the majority of betta keepers on this board.

You and Skyler may not like clunkey heaters, but I bet the betta likes them

Who said anything about my tanks? All my fish have heaters, and don't live in vases. However, normal temp fluctuations of a few degrees are normal, can even be healthier for the water and better then the fish. This is due to the fact that many common bacterial colonies flourish in a narrow temp range. By allowing small to moderate temp fluctuations, you lower the chances of any one type of bacterium taking over.

Perhaps more the pertinant action might be to ask Skyler what the temperature range in his/her house is. If it stays above 75 and below 83, he doesn't need a heater.

Our very own wuvmybetta raises IBC championship bettas, and does not use heaters. In much of Texas, it makes no sense to use them!

As is calling me names.

Who's calling you names? Sounds like someone needs a tougher skin....

 

[Kinda Fishey]

Well casion , since you called into question my info
What I advised Skylar on was the knowledge that every fishkeeper is expected to know nowadays . Begginer to Oldtimer . Cycling aquarium water ,
Old hands had been doing it for years , without knowing why , It worked.
When I learned the principals of cycling, I found that fish have an easier time adapting to cycled water. ( I mean cycled water, old water, aged water,used water)Water that has adapted to turn fish waste into , nitrites, then nitrates.
I found from experts , pinned articles,, ( right here) that cycled water produces less shock. easier break in period, less stress, no or little new tank syndrome.

No one said " Except bettas"

When I decided to get back into bettas ,I applied the cycling plan to some ten gal, divided tanks with hang on back filters , covered and with heaters.
I did about the same thing I advised Skylar to do. Some old water , fresh water,I even squeezed an old filter pad into the water.
Got everything up and running , filters , temp, for about three weeks. Every now and then I would pour in a Qt of water from an established tank.
There was a slight rise in ammonia , not a spike , then averything leveled off with AM 0 , Nitrite 0 , nitrate 1-5.0 .
Put in the fish . After their three day trip , they never missed a beat . Next day they were flareing , building nest , active and heathy.
I've done three other tanks the same way , one still fishless , all healthy, clear/amber water ( almound leaf ). I don't see any bad info here. Proofs in the pudd'n.
Now if I had 250,000 , or even 250 jars facing me, I might see things different , but I don't . These are pets.

Now whether I'm filling a jar for the first time , or replacing water after cleaning , I have a choice. I can pour old cycled water into the betta jar , and replace the water in the large tank , with new water, or I can do it backwards . Pour the fresh new water on the fish. Then have to come back and clean the old water tank each week anyway,with weekly water changes.
If anyone sees this as bad advise, please dissregard it.
If you would rather buy the fish ,and jar at the same time then pour them all together, then sit them in a warm spot. Well I agree it does sound a lot easier.
Sorry for the long post.
PS
If Wuv keeps bettas in Texas w/o heaters, I bet a Lone Star, she uses a heated room , or closet.
Anyway
Happy bettas
KF

 

[Skylar]

Well, I bought my betta. He is a purple veiltail that has a white head with a few brown speckles on it. His home is a LARGE fish bowl with 3 silk plants, black shiny stones and a mini castle.

Any name suggestions?

 

[wuvmybetta]

If Wuv keeps bettas in Texas w/o heaters, I bet a Lone Star, she uses a heated room , or closet.

During the winter I use a space heater and keep the room at about 76 merely because that room has insulation problems, but as soon as it slightly warms up outside,they are on their own.
I'm definitely against heaters for bettas in most situations.I sincerely believe that if YOU (a warm blooded animal) are comfortable at the room temp,your fish will be too. For a better example of why go read my post in bettamommas swim bladder thread. I believe fluctuation keeps them healthier. But it all boils down to location and different enviromental situations that are unavoidable (for example, your parent controls the thermostat and keeps it at 60 24/7 or something)