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My supervisor recently brought a Betta fish (his name is Tuesday) to the office for all of us to enjoy. I'm really happy she did this because watching this fish has made me appreciate and try to understand the complex hobby of fish care taking! (Not to mention, it has helped me to take care of the six zebra danios that I have seemingly inherited, now that I have recently moved in with my boyfriend.) Unfortunately, I think we could be doing more to make Tuesday's life better.

Here is some information on Tuesday's living conditions:
Glass vase "tank" (tapered top)- Maybe one gallon? It's a standalone vase. No filter, no heat lamp, nada.
Water changes - this morning I was asked to put Tuesday in his new clean vase (the water has been treated and at room temperature). It was not only stressful for Tuesday, but I felt really horrible trying to get him in the small net and then whisk him away to another vessel. How can I minimize this stress? Should I use my own money to get a bigger tank and then do weekly water changes? Bear in mind that I work in Downtown Boston, and it would be difficult for me to lug a huge tank into the office (I take a train in).
Aquatic plant, not sure which - this is skimming the top of the opening of the vase. I think that maybe I should pour out some water to get a larger surface area. Does having a plant in his tank have any positive attributes?

How can I enhance the life of Tuesday, and reduce his stress in my office environment? What type of supplies and equipment do you recommend? I appreciate any help you can give! I will most likely be posting more in the future regarding the Zebra Danios!

Tuesday?! what an odd name

Well, tuesday is a jumper, all bettas are. I had one disappear from a covered 10 gallon. You'll want a cover ASAP, but you'll also want a larger tank. While bettas can survive in small containers, they do like as much space as other fish.

Having a 10 gallon tank for Tuesday will make the water change process much easier. Once the tank is cycled you'll only need to change 10%-20% of the water a week, with no netting process required.

A larger cycled tank will also provide proper filtration (a small Aquaclear will do fine) and even heating (a 50 watt submersible will work) to reduce temperature fluctuations which cause high levels of stress.

The plant is actually possibly keeping him from jumping out. Plants consume the harmful ammonia that fish create, so it's also possibly keeping ammonia levels down.

As for the zebras, they're pretty easy to handle. They're active schooling fish that should be in a 20 gallon or larger tank.

^_^

In the meantime, a bigger surface area is a good idea, so you could maybe prop the plant up with some small pencils to keep it from fully blocking the bottle neck. The plant is a good plan, you just need to reorganise it a little.

Also, avoid nets. Try pouring Tuesday directly into a cup (plug the sink first) as many nets are abrasive and can cause damage to the skin and scales as the fish moves against them, somewhat like a cheese grater, and that leaves the fish more open to infection.

Lastly, make sure he's not under an A/C vent or in a draught, as that size tank will chill (and heat) very quickly with changes in the room temperature.

For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

Even though I have kept healthy bettas in one gallon and less tanks, Tuesday will appreciate the added space you can afford to give him. If you don't want to go the 10g route then maybe you could get a nice 5g tank. I currently have a happy, healthy betta housed in a 5g with a filter and heater. The maintenance on this tank is nearly nothing just the regular water change, which takes about 20 minutes! Whatever you decide to do I commend you on taking charge in trying to improve Tuesday's quality of life, also I hope you continue with this wonderful fish hobby it is truely addictive!

Justin

Colts Fan For Life
30g platy tank: 2 sunburst wag platys, 2 redtailed white calico platys, 2 red wag platys, 1 fry(not sure who it belongs to), 1 Golden CAE.
Bettas:1 VT male

taking in to cosideration the fact that you will need to carry everything in on the train.... It might be easier for you just to buy a tank in a box kit.... they sell them at pet suppliy stores. You can get a ten or five gal. with everything you need, except for gravel and low light plants. you can take the gravel in the next day.....LOL

Take up a collection for a small amount you can get everuything you need.... also see if anyone that drives in could bring it in to work for tuesday. You did say it was the office fish, right

And Coltsfan, I'm from baltimore, I hate the COLTS for life

Djrichie
"So Long, and Thanks For All The Fish" Douglas Adams

DJ,
You made a good point about it being an "office fish". And by the way I am so sorry for you, it must suck telling people you're a ravens fan

Menachik,
This is an expensive hobby and it only makes sense that your co-workers pitch in. If you get the feeling they don't want to contribute then I say you should adopt Tuesday and take him home, that way you don't have to worry about maintenance at work! Hopefully though they will want to help out and you can all enjoy him.

Justin

Colts Fan For Life
30g platy tank: 2 sunburst wag platys, 2 redtailed white calico platys, 2 red wag platys, 1 fry(not sure who it belongs to), 1 Golden CAE.
Bettas:1 VT male

I like the Raven.... Like I like Miami,,, I live here and try and support local teams..... However I hate the colts, not because of any reason than that lieing owner.... I was ther the morning the colts left Baltimore. in a bizzard, and the night before on the new the colts says they would never leave baltimore, this was there home....I supported them when they lost, many of my friends who grow up going to the games with there dad's supported them when the lost... they rip the heart out on many people that morning. That why I hate the Colts and if any team should move to europe it would be the colts.....

By the way I'm a Steelers Fan and the sad part my own sister is a colts fan.....

Djrichie
"So Long, and Thanks For All The Fish" Douglas Adams