I feel so bad...

[Jess]

Hey,

Some of you may have read some of my earlier post about my male betta Arnie! Well, he'd be living in one of those Plastic 'Betta Hex' things, it was nearly 2 gals but it still didn't look so good... So, today i went to the LFS to try and find him something better!!! I got him a proper tank this time. Its only small (but bigger than the other one!lol) but its glass and stuff and looks a lot nicer... anyway, when i put him in it he seemed so happy!!! He flared his fins out and everything - i didnt know he was so pretty!!!lol I feel so bad now for keeping him in that little bowl Poor Arnie...

I thought id show you a 'before and after'... The picture below is of Arnie in his old tank...


Jess

 

[Jess]

This is Arnie in his new tank about 10 mins ago! Do you think he looks happier??

 

[Jess]

Ok, last one! This is Arnie in his new tank!! Better? lol

Thanks for looking anyway!! any suggestions about anything else i could do would be much appreciated!

Jess

P.S. sorry about the quality of the pics... left the flash on!lol

 

[cometcattle]

He looks much happier, but I don't think the hex was that bad.
I think he has a good home either way.

 

[Jess]

I think it was the shape of the hex.... i dunno... He used to just sit at the side of it 'pushing' at the plastic side... it was really odd!!! Ive just worked out that the old hex was 1.4 gals and this new one is 3.6 so he's probably just liking the extra space!!!

He looks prettier with his fins all flared out like that... i think anyway! lol

 

[BeccaBlain]

Well, I don't think it was a problem with your hex tank.

I think it is more the aspect that glass is more reflective. Put him in glass, he sees his reflection in the glass. When he sees his reflection, he gets mad, and flares

And therefor, he is a happier fish because he has a friend.

He'd love you foreverif you divided that tank in half and put a friend next door. My fishies adore their next door neighbors Napoleon and Eddie I wouldn't dream of seperating because they are either flaring at each other, or resting and being companions. (Yeah, its the strangest thing I saw. They'll "lie" side by side, no flaring, and just veg out. Then they'll decide its play time again.)

Good luck!

 

[clutterydrawer]

Well he looks happier to me, but then what do I know Also I can't tell how wide the hex was cos it's not all in the pic. is that a tea towel under your tank?

 

[Jess]

Well he looks happier to me, but then what do I know Also I can't tell how wide the hex was cos it's not all in the pic. is that a tea towel under your tank?

Lol... yeah... ) Its temporary... Its too hot in my bedroom for him so he's been moved into the living room..... He seems ok in there though!! And the Hex was about 6 inches wide at the widest part. Ive gotta admit though, i do prefer the look of a glass tank to a plastic bowl if its going to be in my bedroom!


BeccaBlain - I was thinking of dividing it... Would he have to little room then though? Are dividers easy to make?! I shall get him a friend if it'll make him happy!

Jess

 

[clutterydrawer]

The reason I was asking is cos my friend has an extremely similar betta setup and she has a teatowel under hers aswell!


...hers is green checks though.

 

[Jess]

Lol Its nice to know im not the only one that uses them!! I shall be getting some polystyrene stuff to put under it soon!!

 

[BeccaBlain]

Yes, one and a half gallons or so is plenty of space per Betta.

I usually buy my dividers, as there is less chance of "escapees" but it is not too difficult to make one. You just need to make certain it fits the tank -perfectly-, as your fish will do almost anything to get at each other. The beauties really do love to fight.

If you make your own, just be careful that it fits the tank perfectly, so your fishies don't hurt each other.

 

[Jess]

Ooh... well, im not so good at DIY so maybe ill try and buy one! Im not sure from where though. Over here we dont seem to have as much stuff for bettas and when i asked at my lfs about divided tanks they didn't know what i was talking about!!! If i cant buy it i will certainly try and make it though!

Oh, i saw a picture of Napoleon earlier... Im SO jealous... he is beautiful...

Jess

 

[GP]

You spoil Arnie!


What I would do to that tank is put new, finer gravel in, raise the water higher (right below where you can't see it anymore) and get some fake plants..

 

[clutterydrawer]

RE: tea towel - we were in a hurry setting up and it was the nearest thign to hand

I would put some broad leaved plants in there because I've noticed my friend's betta likes to sit on anubias leaves.

 

[Jess]

Hey

Yeah, i do spoil him terribly, but he's such a cute little thing, who wouldn't? lol When i put my hand in his tank he either gets really cute and starts nudging my hand, or gets really cheeky and bites me! lol Adorable!!

I was going to buy some really nice black gravel that was quite fine but the guy at the lfs said i mustn't buy that cos he'd eat it (Arnie not the guy at the lfs....lol) and told me that one was the only one suitable!!! Never listen to lfs idiots....

And i also tried to get fake plants but they only had those plastic ones which rip his fins! Im going to try some more places and see if i can find some nice silk plants With broad leaves!!! He'll love that!! It'll be the perfect little home for him in there.... Well, add some guppies and he'd be in heaven... BAD Arnie!!!! lol (He ate my guppies btw!)

Jess