first fish

[One_Trick_Pony]

is a betta a good first fish for my firend, she has seen me with my fisg and knwos whats invovled with fish and would like one?

so what do u think, and a couple of Q's

1 what kind of size tank is best say 5/10 gl?

2what if any tank mates would work, i suspect not many,

3 would it be ok in a biggish tnak wiht a bit up drfiwood and some plants?

4. and prob most impotant a list of what she will need.

OTP

 

[Kiarra]

A Betta would probably make an excellent first fish for your friend, as long as she would be committed to his or her care.

1. A 2.5 gallon tank for one Betta is ideal. 5-10 gallons is even better.

2. Bettas have been known to successfully live with African Dwarf Frogs, White Cloud Mountain Minnows, and Cory Catfish, though I'm sure other types of catfish may work, too.

3. Absolutely! Just make sure there's no sharp points on the driftwood where he could snag his fins. The fins (especially on the long-finned males) are very delicate, and very easy to damage, so all tank decorations must have no sharp points on them.

4. Dechlor is an absolutely necessity. Fish food---betta pellets, or live or frozen food. Flake food is sometimes taken, though it can't really be counted on. A heater. The IDEAL temperature range for Bettas is 76-80 degrees, leaning more towards the higher end of the range. A filter is not NECESSARY, per se, because usually the current causes great stress to the fish, causing illness. Any filter that is obtained should have little to no current, or will do more harm than good. Plants and little "caves" are a good thing. Bettas do like heavily planted tanks, even if the plants aren't live. They don't require them to be heavily planted, but they do enjoy it.

 

[One_Trick_Pony]

cheers that great any idea on total cost of this? not a big probleme unless we talking 100's i not made of money, which is a shaem i could pay for things with nail clippings then but i digress.

thanx for help

 

[Kiarra]

Sorry, no clue how much it would cost in the UK, but, here in the U.S., all of this could easily be obtained for under $50, depending on tank size, and how much decoration is used.

 

[basia]

I live in the UK. I bought a small tropical starter tank which came complete with light, heater, filter, gravel even fishfood and a fish net. However I have since spent a fortune on dechlorinator, filter booster, water testing kits, plants and other decorations, I should think I have spent £100 and I haven't got the fish yet!

 

[LoachLover]

A Betta was my fish and look what happened to me, I turned into a loach obsessed fish keeper

 

[The_Gilly]

you can get a complete setup for less than 50 pounds. Go for a fish are fun 5 gal which comes with filter and light. Get a heater for this from ebay for 10 pounds. about 2 pounds for gravel. 5 pounds for the fish. 2.5 pounds for a plant. Abit of stress coat and some food. Hey presto.

If you like send me 50 pounds and I will send you everything you need less the water! I'd even include the fish!