Hey there,
Following my introduction post I wanted to share my first experience with becoming an aquarium owner and how I ended up with my current tank setup. I am aware that I will have made some novice mistakes over the last two months, but I want to be a responsible fish owner and an advocate for my new group of girls!
A few months ago, where I work I bought (in UK) on impulse a 'starter set' aquarium that was 18L. Everything you needed to start a tropical fish tank, heater, filter etc.
I have always had a passion for marine biology and used this excuse to make a foray into become a fish keeper. After much DYOR I settled on acquiring a single male betta. I went to the local pet store chain, pets at home and they operate a fish point policy for tank size and was informed my tank could house fish of up to 10 points.
Due to lock-down there stock was very limited and the only bettas were 2 red females in a large tank with no other fish, and that they were going to be taken out of display. (I am curious as to what big chains do with fish that don't sell.) In the store females are worth 2 points, and was told I could keep 4 in there easily by staff. So naively they came home with me.
The larger (Darlagh) was pristine and healthy, with no signs of stripes, full fins no black marks. The smaller red (Scarlet) had signs of fin fraying and clear nips, due to them being a pair but no stress lines.
I have cycled my tank and have all the necessary products and treatment of the water for responsible fish ownership. I put them in and left them to their new home.
I left them over a week feeding them every other day, and noticed that this paired relationship was clearly causing Scarlet to suffer, The fin nipping and tatteredness of her in comparison was way worse than insertion in the tank. However both fish showed no signs of dark lines, nor did they become inactive etc. Just Scarlet taking all the aggression alone.
They appeared larger over this fortnight period and brighter, move vibrant.
My initial DYOR was male focused so I re-educated and knew that I needed an odd number of fish and a third would be needed. As odd numbers prevent constant harassment in the hierarchy, with five being preferred. Enough time had passed to introduce new fish.
I also learnt that bettas need way more cover, hiding places and plants than you expect. So i re-positioned my existing plants into a denser, more central arrangement. As well as purchasing more fake plant foliage. To provide cover at different heights in the tank.
I also acquired 4 betta hammocks and had them scattered near the surface throughout the tank.
I have yet to purchase but feel I need more foliage cover with small plants at the lower depths of the water.
Upon returning to the store, I discussed with the staff and concluded 4 for a sorority creates 2 pairs of dominance and not a hierarchy and I felt my tank is too small for 5, despite the points system. As they are young and will grow larger. So was going to take one more female.
The store had restocked and its female betta tank was swarming with them, 15-20 in a medium size tank, all were showing signs of stress, stripes and tattered fins. It was quite a full tank, but in the adjacent which had Danios, I noticed this small dark blue betta swimming near the bottom.
She had escaped and when I asked the staff for the one in that tank, she seem surprised.
So that is how Bloo ended up coming home with me.
Tank 1.0 -
The above 3 pictures are of tank 1.0.
---
After a couple of weeks the level of aggression in the tank had decreased, but I was still uncomfortable as I delved deeper in owning a sorority. As well as the golden rule of tank size, is if you get the biggest tank you can afford. So I did, and purchased a 70L kit and cycled this tank through.
Tank 2.0 was born!
---
I purchased more fake plants and eventually transferred the existing girls and Endlers boys into the new tank after I had cycled in through.
I also have returned to the same pet store and was informed a tank of this size is worth 30 points. I now have two more bettas, a deep purple one and a green one who both remain unnamed. Bringing the total up to 5, which from my research is the minimum recommend for them to form a proper hierarchy.
I also over these past months added 2 more male endlers guppies, and a school of 8 cardinal tetra to the tank, and remain at my maximum point value.
Tank 2.0 Pics above
---
I think I need more plants and cover at the top of the tank, as there is a lot of open water. I also have the filter facing angled upwards and towards the back of the glass. It is on the lowest setting but the flow rate is probably too strong.
I need to jungle up the tank some more, I think i lack the taller plants due to the first tank not being as high dimension wise.
I am loving owning these fish and have watched it for hours! They consume time, but I am trying to keep vigilante and learning each fish behaviors & personality.
---
I came to this forum seeking help and to be the best fish owner I can, all tips, comments and advice is greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
Following my introduction post I wanted to share my first experience with becoming an aquarium owner and how I ended up with my current tank setup. I am aware that I will have made some novice mistakes over the last two months, but I want to be a responsible fish owner and an advocate for my new group of girls!
A few months ago, where I work I bought (in UK) on impulse a 'starter set' aquarium that was 18L. Everything you needed to start a tropical fish tank, heater, filter etc.
I have always had a passion for marine biology and used this excuse to make a foray into become a fish keeper. After much DYOR I settled on acquiring a single male betta. I went to the local pet store chain, pets at home and they operate a fish point policy for tank size and was informed my tank could house fish of up to 10 points.
Due to lock-down there stock was very limited and the only bettas were 2 red females in a large tank with no other fish, and that they were going to be taken out of display. (I am curious as to what big chains do with fish that don't sell.) In the store females are worth 2 points, and was told I could keep 4 in there easily by staff. So naively they came home with me.
The larger (Darlagh) was pristine and healthy, with no signs of stripes, full fins no black marks. The smaller red (Scarlet) had signs of fin fraying and clear nips, due to them being a pair but no stress lines.
I have cycled my tank and have all the necessary products and treatment of the water for responsible fish ownership. I put them in and left them to their new home.
I left them over a week feeding them every other day, and noticed that this paired relationship was clearly causing Scarlet to suffer, The fin nipping and tatteredness of her in comparison was way worse than insertion in the tank. However both fish showed no signs of dark lines, nor did they become inactive etc. Just Scarlet taking all the aggression alone.
They appeared larger over this fortnight period and brighter, move vibrant.
My initial DYOR was male focused so I re-educated and knew that I needed an odd number of fish and a third would be needed. As odd numbers prevent constant harassment in the hierarchy, with five being preferred. Enough time had passed to introduce new fish.
I also learnt that bettas need way more cover, hiding places and plants than you expect. So i re-positioned my existing plants into a denser, more central arrangement. As well as purchasing more fake plant foliage. To provide cover at different heights in the tank.
I also acquired 4 betta hammocks and had them scattered near the surface throughout the tank.
I have yet to purchase but feel I need more foliage cover with small plants at the lower depths of the water.
Upon returning to the store, I discussed with the staff and concluded 4 for a sorority creates 2 pairs of dominance and not a hierarchy and I felt my tank is too small for 5, despite the points system. As they are young and will grow larger. So was going to take one more female.
The store had restocked and its female betta tank was swarming with them, 15-20 in a medium size tank, all were showing signs of stress, stripes and tattered fins. It was quite a full tank, but in the adjacent which had Danios, I noticed this small dark blue betta swimming near the bottom.
She had escaped and when I asked the staff for the one in that tank, she seem surprised.
So that is how Bloo ended up coming home with me.
Tank 1.0 -
The above 3 pictures are of tank 1.0.
---
After a couple of weeks the level of aggression in the tank had decreased, but I was still uncomfortable as I delved deeper in owning a sorority. As well as the golden rule of tank size, is if you get the biggest tank you can afford. So I did, and purchased a 70L kit and cycled this tank through.
Tank 2.0 was born!
---
I purchased more fake plants and eventually transferred the existing girls and Endlers boys into the new tank after I had cycled in through.
I also have returned to the same pet store and was informed a tank of this size is worth 30 points. I now have two more bettas, a deep purple one and a green one who both remain unnamed. Bringing the total up to 5, which from my research is the minimum recommend for them to form a proper hierarchy.
I also over these past months added 2 more male endlers guppies, and a school of 8 cardinal tetra to the tank, and remain at my maximum point value.
Tank 2.0 Pics above
---
I think I need more plants and cover at the top of the tank, as there is a lot of open water. I also have the filter facing angled upwards and towards the back of the glass. It is on the lowest setting but the flow rate is probably too strong.
I need to jungle up the tank some more, I think i lack the taller plants due to the first tank not being as high dimension wise.
I am loving owning these fish and have watched it for hours! They consume time, but I am trying to keep vigilante and learning each fish behaviors & personality.
---
I came to this forum seeking help and to be the best fish owner I can, all tips, comments and advice is greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
