new, what am i doing wrong?? *UPDATED* *AGAIN*

[babygal827]

Sorry, another update, 5 minutes later! Ha!

I just went into my attic and found a brand new unused 10 Gallon!
It was probably up there because my older sister has lizards, and keeps
her extra tanks at my house. This one is brand new though

New set of questions, lol.
Is a 10 Gallon tank too big for one Betta? Should I put other fish in there?
If so, what type of fish should I buy for it?

Also, how do I do water changes for a 10 gallon? Do I NEED a filter/pump/heater/or any of the other things I've heard about, or is simply changing the water and keeping it at room temperture good enough? Also, what type of plants should I put in there for him?

I almost feel bad asking so many questions,
But you all seem to know what you're talking about!

Thanks so much for any help,
I'm quickly turning into a Betta Fanatic!!!!!

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(I left the original post underneath this incase anyone needed it for refrence )

I did what was suggested and just turned out the lights. I went to bed, and when I woke up maybe 5 hours later, praying not to see him dead, I discovered him swimming around in his bowl like he usually is. He wasn't hangin out at the bottom anymore. He seems to be getting his color back and he doesn't have that 'weighed down' look to him and all his fins and stuff. He looks back to normal!

He got like this once before too, I think I do need to change the water more often. As is I do a full water change once a week, but I'll change that to every 3 or so days. I am going to look into getting an actual tank rather than a bowl. My parents may get a little angry, because they see a fish as more of a 'disposible pet' and don't see the point in me wasting so much money on him. I love my betta though and I want to give him a great home.

What size tank would you guys suggest (on a 16 year old's budget) and what type of plants are safe to put in there? Also, when using a tank, what's the maintenence difference between that and a bowl? Do I still move him, dump all the water, and refill it every week?

Thanks for the help,
and thanks in advance for any further help


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For my birthday my brother got me a betta, which I had been wanting for a while.
We used to have one, as the ''family pet'', and we all loved it very much. Clyde, as me and my mom named it because it looked like a Kalidoscope, lived about 2 years and died of most likely old age (no symptoms of anything else wrong).

The fish my brother had gotten me about a month ago, Julio Sanchez, was very pale when I got him and wasn't ever completely normal. He died exactly a week after I got him.

The day after he died, I went back to the fishstore and got Tequila, also named by mom because his colors reminded her of the song Tequila Sunrise (or atleast that's what she wants us to think... lol).

This fish has been doing great since I got him. He was picky about his food at first, but now he eats his food fine. I feed him 2 pellets in the morning and 4 pellets at night (The Hilarki Betta Gold food). When I change his water he gets 2 pellets at that time as a treat for being a good boy

I have him in a bowl, I believe it's a half gallon bowl.
The temperture in my room is at a constant 78 Degrees, so I'd assume the water is a little cooler than that. When I change his water, I let water sit covered in my room for a day before to get to room temperture, and then I add a Bowl Buddies Fizz Tab to make the water safe for him.

He's been doing great up to this point, and so I figured that the other fish had just been sick when it was bought. However, yesterday he started acting strange. He stays at the bottom of his bowl and wedges himself into his little plant at the bottom. His deep deep teal color has faded a lot, but he's not VERY pale. The bottom of his head is white, but not a fuzzy white, it's just very faded. He doesn't have any strange marks or spots or anything like that, he's just faded.

I changed his water tonight, and that didn't help any. I also added BettaFix to the water, still nothing. I've tried to feed him a few times and he wont eat at all. He looks at the food and swims back to the bottom of the bowl.


I don't know what to do.
I would hate to have another Betta die, especially after such a short amount of time.
He was full grown when I got him, but, I didn't think old age could take him so quickly.

I love this boy and don't want him to go. I hate to see them sick

Is there anything I can do for him to save him?
I've been on every site about betta diseases and the only symptoms he has
of anything is being lethargic, color fading, and not eating.

Please I don't know what else to do

 

[JoLtNbolt]

Have you tested the water? Ideally you should keep a betta in at least 1 gallon of water. Maybe you should turn out the lights and that will help reduce stress on the fish.

 

[riogal_11]

It is possible that he's just adjusting to his new home. All of my boys are different, I even have one that lays completely on his side to sleep. I used to think he was being lethargic, but I've come to find that, that is just the way he is. Same as wedging themselves onto plants. I would just do a water change and add some salt, and see if his color brightens up a bit. Also try feeding another kind of food, sometimes mine turn it away just b/c they want some variety. Try some shelled peas, whenever my boys won't eat, they jump right up for those and I mean literally. Goodluck with him and keep us updated.

 

[GSD]

it can be normal for some bettas to be lazier than others
are you sure the water isnt too cold.as that can slow them down alot
the bowl is a little small for him
as riogal_11 said turn out the lights and leave him alone to see if he comes round.and try tempting him with some bloodworm
oh and howa your water parms

 

[Phinny]

I had a similar problem a few months ago and I chalked it up to the tank not being the right size. I moved my boy to a larger tank and he started swimming around more. Overall he just became more happy.
Looking at the tank size would be my suggestion.

 

[riogal_11]

On a 16 year old budget I would say get an aquaview. See I'm on a college students budget and it's not much different Anyways they are 10.44 at my wal-mart, I would also get silk plants. You can get three in a package at wal-mart for 4 dollars. Other than those few things you'd be all set. I know some people think that 1's are too small, but I have 7 boys and 1 girl all in ones and they are very happy there. Some are even more active than my boys that are in 2.5's and 5's. You can always upgrade later, but I would say that since he's in such a small space already that anything bigger would help. In less than a one there just really isn't that much room to move around, and I find my aquaviews very spacious when it comes to them swimming. Ok on to your next set of questions. There are really two ways you can do the 10. If you want a filter and things you can put other fish in there with him. See pinned topics for that as there are conflicting opinions on the subject. But honestly what I would do is skip the filter and divide the tank into 3-4 sections therefore once you get addicted(which you will) then your parents are much more likely to go for it if you don't have to buy seperate tanks. You would change the water just like you do now. Oh yeah and my parents started out seeing fish as disposable pets, but have since changed their views. After a while they really do begin to understand, especially if it is something you become passionate about. sorry for the lenghty post, hope I answered everything you need, and if not just keep asking.