The Complete Beginners And Newbies Guide To Getting A Male Betta

[Jpmc™]

Alright, I thought I could share some advice.
If this somehow is breaking the rules in Any way at all, feel free to get rid of this thread, I will understand. Anyway, On to the thread/


NEVER EVER HAVE TWO MALES TOGETHER


What you need BEFORE buying a Male Betta:
CYCLING SUPPLIES: Thread on how to cycle Here
At least a 5 gallon* tank. (Male Bettas will survive a minimum of 1 gallon, but it's highly reccomened at 5)
Food and treats (Bettas usually eat pellets, I gave mine Wardley Pellets, but if you ask people, they usually say Hikari are the best. For treats, my fish every 3 days get either tubifex worms or bloodworms, both freeze dried, but you can have Daphnia, Brine Shrimp and lots of others in Live, Frozen or Freeze Dried format)
Decorations and things: Optional Like most fish, swimming through plants or a cave is a pastime for fish, and they will make your aquarium pretty, if you are getting plants and you are a beginner, I reccomend plastic ones.
Gravel: This is optional The best thing to get is sand or gravel, I don't reccomend those little acrylic rocks.
A good working filter with extra cartridges for laterAll fish need clean water, the filter is best if it only makes a small current, as Bettas don't like their fins being caught in it. Cartridges should be changed or cleaned every month.
A siphonOptional Good for cleaning better tanks, and is reccomended.
A heater Bettas prefer tropical waters, but will still be happy in colder water, just try to keep the water at around 18C or 70F.
Medecines and Antibiotics: If your betta gets sick or is not feeling good, always make sure you have some medicine (Note: Always read the label before giving the dosage)
A thermometer Optional I reccomend one.
A net Going to need it!
A spare tank See below why.

YOU DO NOT NECISSARILY NEED AN AIR PUMP
Bettas have a Labryinth Organ, which enables them to breath air from the atmosphere, if you have an air pump for them, keep it at a low setting.


After cycling
The thing's finally cycled, here's what you can do.
Run your filter and make sure it works.
Add the gravel
Add your decor


Buying the Betta
You finally have your tank ready, now it's time to go buy your betta.

Stores Unfortunately, the city I live in only has a Wal-Mart, but I make the best out of it. Petsmart, Pets at Home are probably the best places to buy your fish

The Betta You see a male betta you like! LETS GET HIM! WOAHWOAHWOAH, wait a minute, inspect him first, make sure he has no worms, no torn fins, no white spots or any other diseases. Make sure he is also active and swimming around.

If you finally find a healthy one, you can buy him.

ADDING HIM TO THE TANK

You're home! time to plop him in the tank, not so fast.

Reducing shock First,, float the UNOPENED bag of water in the tank for 15-30 minutes. to get him used to the surroundings, and temp, etc.
Next, you open the bag, and with a clean cup, take some bag water out and add some tank water in every few minutes, until your sure it's mostly your aquarium water

Now you can add him in

Carefully use the net to gently scoop him out and into his tank, you may want to watch him for a while, so you can go ahead.

Feeding
Your betta needs food!

You've got him in your tank! he's probably hungry! give him 3-4 pellets or a pinch of flakes, if he doesn't eat, it will probably just means that he is a little bit stressed, it may take up to 5 days for him to start munching. Feed treats about 2-3 times a week. (Note: Bloodworms may make him constipated, so feed with caution) Any uneaten food, remove so it doesn't rot.

Cleaning the aquarium
Get out your siphon or other tool to clean, we will learn how to use a siphon.

Starting the siphon You have the siphon in the water, but now what? Make sure your bucket is low enough so that the siphon almost flows straight into it. Take out decorations, and put them under warm water. Here are 2 methods to get the siphon started

1. The most common, but gross method
----------------------------------------------

Ok bare with me, you will have to inhale, or suck on the end of the siphon that isn't in the water, it sounds gross, but it works. Remove your mouth and let the water flow, only take out about 25-35% of the water.

2. The less gross way
-------------------------

Put the siphon in the water and tilt it upside down, while keeping it in the water to create suction.
I find this mode a harder way to do it. Take the same amount of water out.




You now know the basics of having a male betta.

Time for FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)


Q: Why is my betta sticking his gills out at me?
A: He is flaring, this is normal. He's saying, This is my territory, stay away!

Q: My Betta keeps blowing bubbles at the top of the tank, and there is alot of bubbles together!
A: He is making what you call a bubble nest, he's ready to mate!

Q: How can I tell if my betta is happy?
A: If he's flaring at you and making bubble nests, Mr. Betta is a happy camper.

Q: How can I tell the difference between male and female?
A: Males have really long, flowing fins to show off to the ladies.

If your tank is a 10 gallon or more, why not go to your LFS and buy a divider? You can get 2 male bettas and have them live in peace.

Getting a divider
Why not have 2?

Buy a divider that looks good, read the instructions carefully and set it up. A good way to test to see if your bettas won't be able to get over is put a mirror on the other side, preferably on the outside of the tank, though.
If all goes well, buy another male and follow the above steps.

If your guys get over the divider and get in a scrap, move the one with the most damage over to your spare tank and add some Melafix or Bettafix, I suggest Bettafix, as it is for bettas. Have some activated carbon to remove the meds when you are done. Put the divider back up, and make sure it is very secure, if not, get some Aquarium Safe Silicone and add the divider in, leave it for 48 hours then add the other male back in.



Remember, you don't have to get a divider, it's just a suggestion.

Betta buddies:
You don't like to be alone, how about choosing some friends for your betta?
REMEMBER, DON'T HAVE 2 MALE BETTAS, THEY WILL FIGHT.

Pygmy cories are the best choice for a betta, make sure that the tank is at least 8 gallons, though.

Some people have had Platies with their bettas, but I wouldn't

Never have a female with a male, because the male will still fight with her.

Make sure your fish that you get for the aquarium is short finned, or Mr. Betta will probably mistaken him for another betta.

It always depends on his personality, so he will live with some fish, others he won't.


Anyways, that is my Beginners and Newbies guide to Having a Male Betta. Happy Betta buying!

Feel free to comment!

-Jpmc™
*All mesurements are in US gallons.

 

[jammin_3000_uk]

Hi Thanks for all the information. was thinking about getting a betta some time in the near future, although i was thinking about getting a 3G tank (uk:G). But thank you for all the info has been very helpful.

 

[silverrabbit]

"A siphon or something to clean your tank outurleez, taking the fish out of the tank and putting him in a cup while cleaning out the tank kills beneficial bacteria, I suggest going to your LFS and buying a Gravel Cleaner/Siphon"

I really think that's wrong - i'm sorry, but taking the fish out whilst doing a WC does not kill off bacteria, and is sometimes the least stressful way of doing a WC in a smaller tank.

 

[Jpmc™]

"A siphon or something to clean your tank outurleez, taking the fish out of the tank and putting him in a cup while cleaning out the tank kills beneficial bacteria, I suggest going to your LFS and buying a Gravel Cleaner/Siphon"

I really think that's wrong - i'm sorry, but taking the fish out whilst doing a WC does not kill off bacteria, and is sometimes the least stressful way of doing a WC in a smaller tank.

Thanks for telling me that, I will change it.

 

[CeeJayy]

A heater Bettas prefer tropical waters, but will still be happy in colder water, just try to keep the water at around 18C or 70F.

Sorry, not read all of it yet but 18C is FAR too cold.

Edit:

Decorations and things: Optional Like most fish, swimming through plants or a cave is a pastime for fish, and they will make your aquarium pretty, if you are getting plants and you are a beginner, I reccomend plastic ones.

Bettas should not be kept with plastic plants, live or silk are best as they dont rip the bettas fins.

A good working filter with extra cartridges for laterAll fish need clean water, the filter is best if it only makes a small current, as Bettas don't like their fins being caught in it. Cartridges should be changed or cleaned every month.

Please make sure that filter media is cleaned in tank water, not in tap water. There is no need to change the media as it holds bacteria, you only need to change it if its falling apart and then it should be put in the tank WITH the other media.

 

[meguro]

You should probably add something about having a lid for the tank as they like to jump and it helps regulate the temperature of the air that they breathe.

 

[saltynay]

I can't be bother to quote properly as that is a lot of

to type so bear with me. Firstly the article is too personal write it as a factual statement not as your opinion if you want you can write a quick sentence on how these are the views shared by this forum and created by the users. There should be a mention of different types of betta:

Betta splendens: 2 males or male and female are not compatible but a group of females larger then 4 is
Betta simplex: 2 males to every female
Betta imbellis: equal male to female ratio (I believe this to be right but not sure so wouldn't add until someone clearly states)
ect....

"Food and treats (Bettas usually eat pellets, I gave mine Wardley Pellets, but if you ask people, they usually say Hikari are the best. For treats, my fish every 3 days get either tubifex worms or bloodworms, both freeze dried, but you can have Daphnia, Brine Shrimp and lots of others in Live, Frozen or Freeze Dried format)"

You forgot to add fresh vegetables especially peas as it helps to even out their digestive tract as a mild laxative. Any live food is fine for a betta I wouldn't bother listing them just do a link to the thread on live food culturing in I think the tropical discussion resource page..

"if you are getting plants and you are a beginner, I reccomend plastic ones."

Silk or live should be recommended with silk being preferential for a new aquarium as the nutrients and minerals aren't available to fully support a plant unless added through fertilisers. Also a foot note saying that the planted section is an excellent resource for information on appropriate plants and aquascaping.

"Gravel: This is optional The best thing to get is sand or gravel, I don't reccomend those little acrylic rocks."

Personal preference doesn't really matter what used just because you don't like it doesn't mean its wrong. Mention that it needs to be kept clean regularly.

"Cartridges should be changed or cleaned every month."
Filtration biologically should be trough sponges washed in old tank water and zeolite cartridges are not advised as they can cause high ammonia levels once they run out.

"The thing's finally cycled, here's what you can do.
Run your filter and make sure it works.
Add the gravel
Add your decor"

You can do all that during cycling in fact your filter should be running to cycle....

"Stores Unfortunately, the city I live in only has a Wal-Mart, but I make the best out of it. Petsmart, Pets at Home are probably the best places to buy your fish"

Too personal just state that many local fish stores stock bettas normally of the veiltail or halfmoon variety. The bettas should e bought as soon as it is made available to you from your LFS as they are often housed inadequate cups or with incompatible tank mates and can become ill and injured easily.

"Reducing shock First,, float the UNOPENED bag of water in the tank for 15-30 minutes. to get him used to the surroundings, and temp, etc.
Next, you open the bag, and with a clean cup, take some bag water out and add some tank water in every few minutes, until your sure it's mostly your aquarium water"

Technically you should never add fish shop water to your tank as it potentially harbours diseases so the tank water should be added to the bag without pouring any of your LFS water into the tank. You should also be exact, this process should take 45 minutes, float the bag in the water for 15 minutes then open the bag and add a tea cup full of tank water to the bag, 10 minutes later add another, then 5 minutes after that do this in regular 5 minute intervals until 45 mins as passed. Now net the betta from the bag and release him/her into the aquarium

"YOU DO NOT NECISSARILY NEED AN AIR PUMP
Bettas have a Labryinth Organ, which enables them to breath air from the atmosphere, if you have an air pump for them, keep it at a low setting."

The air pump setting wouldn't effect the betta that is provided is not like a volcano exploding under water.

"Q: How can I tell if my betta is happy?
A: If he's flaring at you and making bubble nests, Mr. Betta is a happy camper."

Flaring doesn't necessarily mean he is happy

"Q: How can I tell the difference between male and female?
A: Males have really long, flowing fins to show off to the ladies."

Only certain tail morphs of betta splendens, betta plakats are often confused with females. I would ask netty and modaz to fill in a quick guide or this answer.

"Make sure your fish that you get for the aquarium is short finned, or Mr. Betta will probably mistaken him for another betta."

Again depends on betta species

 

[Curiosity101]

Agreed with all of the above salty.

And to add a little bit extra

Starting the siphon You have the siphon in the water, but now what? Make sure your bucket is low enough so that the siphon almost flows straight into it. Take out decorations, and put them under warm water. Here are 2 methods to get the siphon started

1. The most common, but gross method
----------------------------------------------

Ok bare with me, you will have to inhale, or suck on the end of the siphon that isn't in the water, it sounds gross, but it works. Remove your mouth and let the water flow, only take out about 25-35% of the water.

2. The less gross way
-------------------------

Put the siphon in the water and tilt it upside down, while keeping it in the water to create suction.
I find this mode a harder way to do it. Take the same amount of water out.

How about doing it the proper way by pumping it up and down through the water until the syphon mechanism begins...

Betta buddies:
You don't like to be alone, how about choosing some friends for your betta?

Betta splendens aren't social creatures by any stretch of the imagination. They don't require any tank mates, just an interesting environment to live in. Ie. Plants, rocks, wood etc etc. To allow them to explore.

Q: How can I tell the difference between male and female?
A: Males have really long, flowing fins to show off to the ladies.

You forgot to add that this doesn't apply to betta splendens with the plakat tail type, males are often mistaken for females! Also I'm pretty sure some of the other types, imbellis and simplex etc, don't necessarily have particularly long finned males.

Medecines and Antibiotics: If your betta gets sick or is not feeling good, always make sure you have some medicine (Note: Always read the label before giving the dosage)

I agree it's good to have a couple of general tonics around such as melafix and aquarium salt. But medicines have a shelf life, and considering the number of diseases your betta could develop buying a range will become very expensive. This is a costly, and in theory, unnecessary expense. If you have prepared your bettas home properly and have checked them over at the store aswell as making sure you're buying from a reputable dealer...you shouldn't have ANY need to buy medicines for the sake of having them in the cupboard.

However if I was to make the statement you made then I'd back it up by saying the most likely ones to be required would be: Ich Treatment, Melafix (or Pimafix) and Aquarium salt. Though noting that if you wish to stock melafix you should use 1/5 of the recommended dose.


Edit: Forgot to add I don't agree that decorations, heater and thermometer are 'optional', these are necessary items for the mental and physical health of a betta.

 

[azulfire24]

bettas need to be at least 78 not 70 , that low temp and they are gonna get sick n be sluggish....