Getting Back To Form

[Pugbrat]

Hello all,

Glad I found this site. Your bettas all look incredible! I'm a newbie and just took up bettas only recently. So far I'm learning a lot.

Let me share my story:

Perhaps I was too eager and I did not really know much. I now realize how inexperienced I was with Betta
Splendens when I posted the pics of my crowntail in another forum 3 weeks back.
Perhaps I handled it wrong, but it was only through helpful friends that I was enlightened. My crowntail was
stressed and became sick. Probably from the abrupt water changes I was doing and the wrong food I was giving.

I was very lucky that there were good friends who helped me get my betta back to form.
Patience and following the advice of the good people is paying off.

Here's a comparison of pics of my crowntail (from two weeks ago and just recently).

I think I did a pretty good job, don't you think?

Here are more pics of "Kraven"... getting better each day.

 

[Pugbrat]

A big thanks to cracker for helping me get my CT back to form.

1st step: water change... the water has to be clean, clear aged water.
My mistake: Too much Indian almond leaf extract in the water. The acidic water caused a slight fin rot and weakening of the fins and ray extensions.

The solution is to alternate clear water for a week and Indian almond leaf (slightly acidic) water the next week.

2nd step: Good diet. I needed to fatten up my CT. Mosquito larvae, frozen bloodworms, frozen brineshrimp and (this is only my own experimentation) raw frozen ground beef- muscle part. I give one only as big as my fish's eye.

My mistake: relying on pellets alone.

I now alternate dry prepared food and the others I mentioned for variety. I think the beef giniling really "beefed up" my CT's body. Try it at your own risk!

3rd step: Morning sun. I now expose all my fishes and let them play and flare in the morning sun (by the window, of course... in their own tanks) from 8 am to 10am. Makes the water warmer too.
My mistake: keeping the tanks in a cool place without the benefit of vitamin D.

I do this painstakingly and consistenly every morning. Transfering the tanks by the window and returning it back.

4th step: A bigger tank. My CT now stays in a 2.5G tank. His usual 1G tank was ok but, I needed him to swim about and flex those rays.

5th step: Listen to friends and don't be afraid of negative comments. They only want to help.

My fish is still a long way from top shape, but we're getting there slowly but surely.

Bathing in the morning sun...

even my female CT became healthier... shiny scales, better colors, sturdy fins and lively attitude...

... so did the resident VT "Blue".

Makes my tanks look good

 

[Joby]

Wow! He looks great now

Good that you had Cracker to give you some help

 

[Miss Dib Dabs]

Wow, the change is remarkable. Well done. He truly is a beautiful fish too. Absolutely georgeous. I love mustard gas bettas.
Hugs,
P.

 

[_cRaCkEr_]

PugBrat you're also here .... good deal

 

[Pugbrat]

PugBrat you're also here .... good deal

Of course m'man cRaCkEr!

I want to learn and learn and learn.
Besides, this forum is way cool and very active.

Oh... and thanks Joby and Miss Dib Dabs for appreciating.

 

[_cRaCkEr_]

PugBrat you're also here .... good deal

Of course m'man cRaCkEr!

I want to learn and learn and learn.
Besides, this forum is way cool and very active.

Oh... and thanks Joby and Miss Dib Dabs for appreciating.

Yeah all of us should keep on learning things and share it to the others.

Knowledge is useless if you will not share it

 

[Elise]

You're crownie looks lovely!

 

[happyannie]

Wow. They are really beautiful and coming along just fine. You should be applauded too for your willingness to learn! I, too, am relatively new at this and learn more everyday. This forum is a really good place to do that thanks to those who are willing to share their experience and knowledge with all of us.

 

[Synirr]

Wow, he looks fantastic!! Great job!

 

[Pugbrat]

Thanks much Elise, happyannie, Synirr. )

 

[Pugbrat]

Took pics this morning...

Told ya he's getting better and better.

Getting too dragonish in the looks department... but I like it!

I might pair him up for breeding soon... with my Kylin.

Good match?

 

[_cRaCkEr_]

Took pics this morning...

Told ya he's getting better and better.

Getting too dragonish in the looks department... but I like it!

I might pair him up for breeding soon... with my Kylin.

Good match?

Condition both of them and they will surely produce nice babies...

 

[Pugbrat]

Condition both of them and they will surely produce nice babies...

Yesiree! Will probably get a breeding tank ready in a couple weeks.

 

[Bubblegrrl]

Beautiful fish! They're gonna make lovely babies I'm sure Good luck with the breeding

Deb