Fish Lovers 3.0 [new poll]

[PeachFuzz]

Picked up Obsidian from the shop today and he has been in his new home for a few hours now. I hope he likes it. Really worried he doesn't, heh. xD
He is a Betta and just wondering if anyone has some tips on how to care for one? As we've never had one before. Also we have to leave for a few days next week for a funeral and i am wondering what i need to do for him, before we go, as i know i am going to completely freak out about him dying while we are gone.

Edit:
This fish is going to be the death of me. Can see half the tank from where i am sat and i just looked over and he was sort of floating in the middle of one of the plants not moving. I completely freaked out, legged it over and it kinda looked like he had got stuck between the leaves of the plant and the glass of the tank, but then he moved and backed out. Nearly gave me and my mum a frickin heart attack. xD Should i move the plant?

Any help please?

For going away, just feed him a little before you go, they can survive for about a week with not being fed. Make sure you have specialized betta food. I recommend the little pellets, but if your betta is on the small side, flakes are better. They will sit on/in plants for long periods of time. I had a plant in my tank that had long roots and my fish would rest in it for hours. The plant should be fine where it is.

It's about two weeks for a healthy fish actually. And for small fish you can crush the pellets. Usually better than most flakes which are crap quality. NLS and Omega One are alright for flakes but there's still the issue of causing bloat.

[Kat]

I feel conflicted.

So, I go to Petco frequently to buy crickets for my tarantula, and since this particular store takes very good care of their fish (for a pet store, at least), I usually stop by the fish section to see how the store's bettas are doing. They usually have all gorgeous bettas in tip-top shape which I enjoy taking a look at, but I noticed a while back that were was this little brownish yellow veiltail pushed toward the back. I pulled him up front and center of their main display, feeling that he should have a proper chance at a home like the rest. However, that was quite a long time ago, and he's still there. He's been moved around the store quite a bit, but he still hasn't left. Unfortunately, I think that being in a cup for so long is beginning to wear on him, and he's becoming more and more listless. I'm beginning to fear that he isn't going to be purchased while surrounded by such a vast amount flashier-looking fish, and that he'll die in that pitiful cup. It's really heartbreaking, because I've kind of grown attached to the "ugly" little guy.

I'd buy him, but I already have six bettas, and taking care of them is expensive enough. What do you guys think? Should I grab him and let him live in a heated 3 gallon until I can afford to switch him over to a proper aquarium setup, or should I be ashamed for even thinking that I could have seven bettas? I mean, gosh... I often wonder if I'm a "hoarder" for having six. *face palm*

[PeachFuzz]

I feel conflicted.

So, I go to Petco frequently to buy crickets for my tarantula, and since this particular store takes very good care of their fish (for a pet store, at least), I usually stop by the fish section to see how the store's bettas are doing. They usually have all gorgeous bettas in tip-top shape which I enjoy taking a look at, but I noticed a while back that were was this little brownish yellow veiltail pushed toward the back. I pulled him up front and center of their main display, feeling that he should have a proper chance at a home like the rest. However, that was quite a long time ago, and he's still there. He's been moved around the store quite a bit, but he still hasn't left. Unfortunately, I think that being in a cup for so long is beginning to wear on him, and he's becoming more and more listless. I'm beginning to fear that he isn't going to be purchased while surrounded by such a vast amount flashier-looking fish, and that he'll die in that pitiful cup. It's really heartbreaking, because I've kind of grown attached to the "ugly" little guy.

I'd buy him, but I already have six bettas, and taking care of them is expensive enough. What do you guys think? Should I grab him and let him live in a heated 3 gallon until I can afford to switch him over to a proper aquarium setup, or should I be ashamed for even thinking that I could have seven bettas? I mean, gosh... I often wonder if I'm a "hoarder" for having six. *face palm*

There's no shame in a heated 3 gallon. That's a perfectly fine set-up for a betta.

You're not a hoarder unless you can't care for all your animals. At one point I had 24 bettas! I'm down to nine now, because I'm focusing on other fish, but I was never a hoarder because all my fish have received proper care.

Do you have time to do extra water changes and feedings? Can you afford another tank set-up? If yes, then I don't see why you shouldn't get the betta.

[Polly44]

For going away, just feed him a little before you go, they can survive for about a week with not being fed. Make sure you have specialized betta food. I recommend the little pellets, but if your betta is on the small side, flakes are better. They will sit on/in plants for long periods of time. I had a plant in my tank that had long roots and my fish would rest in it for hours. The plant should be fine where it is.

It's about two weeks for a healthy fish actually. And for small fish you can crush the pellets. Usually better than most flakes which are crap quality. NLS and Omega One are alright for flakes but there's still the issue of causing bloat.

Ah right, that's good to know as i am really starting to freak out about leaving him for a few days. Ah right, will have to keep that in mind. Yeah, i try not to feed him much and he gets fed twice a day. Though he did nibble at the algae wafer i put in for the two Otos the other day. xD But he seems okay so far. Though he is resting a bit more often, but he still gets very excited when i watch him and he will (kinda) follow my finger too, which is adorable! Need to do the first water change with him in there, but don't want to do it before we go away, as i am worried it might upset him, so want to be here to keep an eye on him. And he's only been in for....three? days now anyways, so still might be getting used to things anyways.

[Kat]

I feel conflicted.

So, I go to Petco frequently to buy crickets for my tarantula, and since this particular store takes very good care of their fish (for a pet store, at least), I usually stop by the fish section to see how the store's bettas are doing. They usually have all gorgeous bettas in tip-top shape which I enjoy taking a look at, but I noticed a while back that were was this little brownish yellow veiltail pushed toward the back. I pulled him up front and center of their main display, feeling that he should have a proper chance at a home like the rest. However, that was quite a long time ago, and he's still there. He's been moved around the store quite a bit, but he still hasn't left. Unfortunately, I think that being in a cup for so long is beginning to wear on him, and he's becoming more and more listless. I'm beginning to fear that he isn't going to be purchased while surrounded by such a vast amount flashier-looking fish, and that he'll die in that pitiful cup. It's really heartbreaking, because I've kind of grown attached to the "ugly" little guy.

I'd buy him, but I already have six bettas, and taking care of them is expensive enough. What do you guys think? Should I grab him and let him live in a heated 3 gallon until I can afford to switch him over to a proper aquarium setup, or should I be ashamed for even thinking that I could have seven bettas? I mean, gosh... I often wonder if I'm a "hoarder" for having six. *face palm*

There's no shame in a heated 3 gallon. That's a perfectly fine set-up for a betta.

You're not a hoarder unless you can't care for all your animals. At one point I had 24 bettas! I'm down to nine now, because I'm focusing on other fish, but I was never a hoarder because all my fish have received proper care.

Do you have time to do extra water changes and feedings? Can you afford another tank set-up? If yes, then I don't see why you shouldn't get the betta.

Wow! 24? That's quite incredible, and it does make me feel a bit better about my six!

Since I work at home, I really have all of the time in the world for my fish, and since I'm in the process of converting all of my bettas over to 10 gallons, I actually have a few left over 3 gallons and heaters collecting dust. I would just need to buy some more decor, I think.

I just get a lot of grief from my family when they visit about all of the aquariums in my house. My aunt actually did call me a hoarder one time, and though I think that it was said half-jokingly, I still figured that I had some sort of fish problem and felt pretty embarrassed.

Well, perhaps when I next head to Petco, the little veiltail will "follow me home". c;
He isn't the flashiest guy in the world, but I think that he is quite cute in his own way. I just hope that I'll be able to perk him back up a bit. He really wasn't looking too good when I last saw him, the poor fellow.

[reanimator]

Any advice on when I should add the new betta, Thymes, to the divided 10 gallon ? He's currently in the 2.5 Daniel used to be in before he was moved to the 10 gallon. Since Thymes was placed in the 2.5 his lethargy (probably from cold water) has been steadily going away and I haven't seen any more fin biting or signs of fin rot, beyond that, he doesn't seem to be sick in any way, so should I go ahead and put him in 10 gallon, or should I wait a while longer ? He even built a bubble nest today, Daniel has never done that !

[Keletheryl]

So, I bought three female guppies and two male guppies. So far, theyre all friends, but not breeding. So I hope this means I got the right variance of guppies in order for the females and males to live in harmony? Or should I get another female? Like I said, so far theyre being fine and just hanging out with each other, but will this change?

[MapleNeko]

finally split my 5 gallon! i think it turned out very nice, a red veiltail on the left (Nigiri, 3 yr old) and Male halfmoon on the right! (Jet, guessing to be around 6 months-year)

[PeachFuzz]

-snip-
finally split my 5 gallon! i think it turned out very nice, a red veiltail on the left (Nigiri, 3 yr old) and Male halfmoon on the right! (Jet, guessing to be around 6 months-year)

Looks awesome! Love the black gravel and the moss ball c: I'm curious how you're estimating Jet's age?

[MapleNeko]

well, from my guess based on almost full finage, i would guess they sell most male's at petsmart when they look their best, which is in between that age to my knowledge XD just an estimate though, sadly, there is no real way to tell haha.