New Here. Need Some Info

[Mc-B]

Hi im new here. I just recently got a male betta and i thought i would try this site out.

I have a beautiful red male betta that i got at petco. He seems active and healthy. He is in a fish bowl with a fake plant. (i need to get some stuff for the bottom of the bowl....???) I just wanted some information on about some other fish that i could add to the tank that he would get along with and that would be just a good addition.

Thanks =D

 

[CathyGo]

How big is the bowl in gallons?

 

[Mc-B]

i would say about 2. Is that enough?

 

[Amunet]

Don't add anything else with him. 2 gallons is just enough for him.
If it was a 5 gallon, you could try a snail, but even then you might have a betta that won't tolerate anything in the tank with him.

You don't have to have any kind of gravel on the bottom. It would probably be easier for you if you didn't since you'll have to do 100% water changes often to keep the water quality decent. It will just be unsightly when you see the fish poop on a bare bottom heh.

 

[Mc-B]

ha ha ya. Well im going to the pet store tomorrow is there anything i should buy?
I think i need a new plant. And some gravel.
Is there anything im missing?

 

[Amunet]

Dechlorinator- for water changes
SILK plants- plastic ones are usually too sharp and can cut into their fins
A small cave- doesn't have to be anything fancy. Alot of people use those clay plant pots. Just something he can go in to and hide.. just make sure he can either swim through it or he has enough room to turn around in it.
Thermometer- you'll want to keep an eye on the temp to make sure his water isn't getting too cold. If your petstores sell one, a very small heater you can put into the tank would be great. If you get one though, test it out in a different container first to make sure it works properly. You don't want to wake up one day to a boiled betta

Maybe some different foods you can give to him. What are you feeding him now? Most bettas seem to like Hikari Bio-Gold betta pellets. And maybe later on, you could give him some frozen bloodworm or frozen brine shrimp to vary his diet some


I'd also get something to cover the top of the bowl. Doesn't have to be anything fancy. Some sort of net, mesh or something easy. Bettas can jump and if ya don't have something to prevent them from jumping out, you might come home one day to a dryed up betta on the floor

 

[Mc-B]

Okay i will be getting those. Thanks for your help. =D

 

[Monty2451]

Water conditioner is a must (anything that gets rid of chlorine and heavy medals), Melafix is always handy to have as a handy cure-all, freshwater aquarium salt, and food (Hikari Betta Bio Gold seems to be the resident favorite of most here, including myself ) and some freeze dried blood worms for a treat to give him one or two once or twice a week as a treat. If you have a dollar store or craft store near you you can buy a bag or two of colored glass stones, marbles, or river rock for the tank instead of just gravel if you like, just make sure whatever you buy you wash it really well in very hot water. Also, I wouldn't recommend sand as your substrate (stuff for the tank floor), as it can be difficult to clean if you're not used to it and with such frequent water changes (once a week at least for a 2 gallon bowl) it'll just be a pain. A thermometer to keep track of the water temp. Finally, a small terracotta pot or some other small, opaque cave like place for a nice hiding spot when he feels like it. That should cover it, GOOD LUCK AND WELCOME TO THE FORUM!

from Drs. Steve and Foster's website:
MelaFix
Contains the natural botanical extract from the Tea Tree (Melaleuca, an excellent alternative to resistant strains of bacteria that are unaffected by traditional medications. Treats bacterial infections such as red ulcers, fin and tail rot, cloudy eyes, mouth fungus, and others in as little as 4 days. Also heals open wounds, ulcers, and damaged fins. Doesn't affect pH; safe for invertebrates. 8 oz doses 480 gallons of marine or freshwater. 64 oz is a concentrated formula and doses 19,000 gallons.

*For this be sure to only use 10 drops per gallon as bettas are sensitive to it. You can get a dropper at the pet store, a pharmacy, or even an arts and crafts store.*

Freshwater Aquarium Salt
All natural Freshwater Aquarium Salt serves as a general tonic and stress reducer for freshwater fish. During disease and stress, healthy gill function of fish is disturbed. This can lead to the loss of electrolytes through the gills (sometimes called osmotic shock), reducing the intake of oxygen and release of carbon dioxide. Freshwater Aquarium Salt replenishes natural electrolytes and promotes healthy gill function. Temporarily blocks the toxic effects of nitrite to freshwater fish until water quality improves. Made from evaporated sea water – contains no artificial additives, sugar, or artificial color and will not change pH. Use Aquarium Salt with tropical fish, goldfish, and koi but should not be used as a substitute for marine aquarium salt.

*I recommend you use 1/2 teaspoon per gallon for bettas.*


Amunet beat me to the punch. LOL

 

[Amunet]

Yeah but your post was much more specific! heh

 

[dzsigmond217]

everyone else gave you all the info already so just saying welcome!!

 

[devon_charm]

Dito, hi and welcome

 

[dusky]

Wonder how long it will be before 1 turns into 2 and another tank appears and so on and so on lots of luck

 

[Mc-B]

soon i hope. Thanks everyone

 

[CathyGo]

Bettas are NOT "sensitive" to Melafix. Use the recommended amount on the bottle to cure something like finrot then back down to a half dose to prevent an infection while their fins heal. Used it all the time on bettas in cups where we were probably overdosing it without any problems. And one of the bettas was treated daily for a few months because of the extensive fin damage.

MTS=Multiple Tank Syndrome mostly happens when you buy a "quarantine" tank and then stock it and then buy another, and another, and another, etc.. enjoy every minute of it.

 

[Amunet]

Bettas are NOT "sensitive" to Melafix. Use the recommended amount on the bottle to cure something like finrot then back down to a half dose to prevent an infection while their fins heal. Used it all the time on bettas in cups where we were probably overdosing it without any problems. And one of the bettas was treated daily for a few months because of the extensive fin damage.

MTS=Multiple Tank Syndrome mostly happens when you buy a "quarantine" tank and then stock it and then buy another, and another, and another, etc.. enjoy every minute of it.

I've read from multiple betta owners that Melafix can cause harm to bettas. Of course that's heresay though since I've never used it on my bettas, but I wouldn't just completely throw out the arguement that it could possibly be bad for bettas (it's supposed to mess with their labryinth organ.. fyi for anyone that didn't know).