Tuesday, February 26, 2008

6 Signs You Have a Healthy Betta

Here are six things to check out that would indicate a healthy betta fish.

Swims easily: Your betta should swim around naturally. If it looks like it's having a hard time then probably it's not doing well.

Shows good awareness: Does your betta respond to you outside of the tank? What about following your finger around or flaring up at it? A healthy betta fish keeps a close eye on its surroundings.

Has a healthy appetite: Bettas are eaters! They don't eat all of the time, but your fish should eat regularly and go after food.

Bright color: Whatever color your betta is should be clear. A betta that looks dull or drab isn't doing well.

Full, healthy looking fins: What does your betta's fins look like? They should be smooth and flowing. If they're torn, hanging, or have stuff on them then your betta is unhealthy.

A strong, healthy, smooth body: Your betta should be streamlined. If the scales appear ruffled or there's growths and sores on the body then treatment may be necessary.

Don't just leave your betta in a corner and feed it once in a while. Regularly inspect your betta to make sure that it's doing well. Your fish will be a lot happier and live a lot longer.

Thursday, February 21, 2008

How to Set Up a Great Betta Fish Aquarium

If you're serious about your betta fish care then it's important to set up a great betta aquarium. While your fish can live in a small bowl or jar it will do better and be happier with more space. The problem with setting up a fish tank is that a lot of people think that it's a hard or expensive process. Luckily for you the betta fish that you're getting is pretty easy to take care of. Here's the stuff that you're going to need to make a happy betta home!

1. Get a small aquarium. They don't need much space; so don't worry about getting a big, expensive aquarium that's going to take up your entire counter. A single betta will be perfectly happy in a 1-5 gallon aquarium, which can usually be purchased for $10.00 or so and are no bigger than a shoebox. Make sure you rinse your aquarium before setting it up. Department stores can be dusty! Don't worry about using soap unless there's an obvious reason to. If you do then really be sure that you've rinsed it all out before your betta fish goes in. They don't like living in soap!

2. Install your filtration system. On a small tank like this there doesn't need to be a big filter, so make sure you check it out before you buy it. There should be a tank size recommendation on the package, so make sure they match up. A proper filter will help keep your water aerated and clean so that you don't need to change the water nearly as often. Don't get too big a filter as it can keep your betta from swimming properly, which will stress them out.

3. Get some clean gravel. If you know what color betta you plan to get then you can coordinate your gravel color with your fish color! Avoid sharp, jagged gravel, as bettas will spend some time near the bottom. The sharp gravel will really tear at their fins. You'll want about one pound of gravel per gallon-sized tank. It doesn't hurt to rinse the gravel, either.

4. Add plants. There are all kinds of options as far as real, plastic, or silk plants. As long as you clean the plants and they are soft then all of those are fine. Make sure you get soft plants without jagged edges as the plants just like the gravel can damage the betta’s fins. Real plants obviously take more care, but can be beautiful.

5. Add distilled, treated water. Tap water can be full of all kinds of chemicals that can be harmful to your fish. By getting distilled water and then conditioning it (get some water conditioner from your pet store) you'll be giving your fish a much healthier environment.

6. Let the tank run for a couple of weeks. This step is optional, but it helps the tank get going. When you have a new tank the helpful microorganisms that build up in the gravel and filter aren't there. They take a while to get going. Until they get a foothold the tank won't filter as well as a mature tank will. Letting the tank go for a couple of weeks without putting your betta in will help ensure a nice home for your betta.

There are six easy steps to building a low-cost, happy home for your betta fish that doesn't have to take over the whole room. With a little bit of preplanning you can give your betta a pleasant place to call home, for both them and you.

Saturday, February 9, 2008

Video of Three Betta Tank Designs

Check out these three great betta tank designs I found on YouTube. They're simple, clean, and make nice homes for your betta. Take some ideas and give them a try!

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Healthy Betta Fish vs. Sick Betta Fish

Now you have your betta and things are going well. You've been enjoying your new pet, feeding it, teaching it to follow your finger and generally having a good time. One day you wake up and notice that your betta might not be doing so well.

Before you panic and start dousing the tank with every chemical you can find, let's take a look to make sure there's something wrong.

Here are some characteristics to look for in a healthy betta:

-High energy. Most bettas are active much of the time. They do take breaks, but will move around quite a bit, especially if someone comes near them.
-Big appetite. Bettas are big eaters. If you keep feeding them, they'll likely keep eating. Not that you should overfeed your betta, but their appetite is a good barometer to their health and mode.
-A healthy, clean looking body. Bettas have a fairly smooth and uniform body. Their scales should look neat and orderly and their fins should be whole and spread out.
-A bright, brilliant color. This is especially important for male bettas. They should be colorful. Bettas that are dull and drab or look "washed out" may not be doing well.
-Healthy, normal looking eyes or gills. The betta's eyes should be uniform and proportional and the gills should look healthy and smooth. The gills should close well against the betta's side.

Here are some characteristics to look out for:

-Low energy. A betta that sits at the bottom or in a top corner of the tank and mopes around might not be doing well. If this behavior persists then there may be something going on.
-Not eating. Bettas like to eat, so be alert for changes in appetite. If your betta goes on a hunger fast or ignores food then probably it's ill.
-Any strange marks on the body. If your betta's scales are ruffled up, you see sores, or there are any strange growths on its fins or body then that's a pretty clear sign that it's sick.
-Losing color. A betta that's dull and has lost its luster is not doing well. Either something is going on with the betta or its food.
-Look out for swollen gills or protruding eyes. If a betta has a gill disorder or one eye starts bulging that's a sign of some serious and common problems.

If a betta has a gill disorder or one eye starts bulging that's a sign of some serious and common problems.

Keeping an eye out for any changes in your betta's appearance, behavior, or mood and you're a long way towards maintaining a happy and healthy fish. At the first sign of these symptoms it's best to make a water change and isolate the betta (if it has tankmates).