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I have persuaded my mum to let me have a 2.5 gallon tank for a betta. Tell me everything I need to know about bettas please as I have not kept one before.

Thanks so much!

Last edited by labrakitty at 11-Mar-2005 14:38

Last edited by labrakitty at 11-Mar-2005 14:38

Here are some very valuable links about bettas and betta care. Read all you can, there is a lot of valuable information on the internet. If you have a specific question or problem, post that and I am sure you will get very helpful answers.

http://www.bettatalk.com/betta_care.htm

http://www.healthybetta.com

http://www.bettysplendens.com/articles/catview.asp?catid=36

http://www.bettatalk.com/learn_about_bettas.htm

Last edited by pugperson at 11-Mar-2005 18:06

1st: You will need a heater. I guess for a 2.5g, a 25watt or less heater would suffice.

2nd: Betta's have delicate finnage, so don't put anything in the tank that can tear the fins. There is a test you can do. If you have any pantyhose/nylons, put the object in the pantyhose and run it under running water, it is tears, it is not betta friendly....

3rd: Do read those site listed by pugperson. They are very informative and helpful. They list more info than what probably anyhere could do for you.

4th: They occasionally get constipated, so you'll have to feed them a pea. I like to boil mine first..Be sure to deshell it (squeeze it between your fingers...you want the guts of the pea..) and be sure to cut it up into tiny bits so the betta can get it in his/her mouth..

5th: Post pictures! We want to see it!!!

-pamela

depending on where in ur house u are planning on keeping the tank a heater will/or not be necesary. i am sure u already know that only one per tank unless female(which i have never had any luck @ ). diet - blood worms, pellets is a standard diet with my bettas, cleaning/filter - if u are getting the marineland 2.5 G set up, then they give u an ok filter. bettas don't really need a filter but it is always good. change water about once aweek, or more. health- let him flare maybe once a day or once a week infront of a mirror for only a few minutes so he can exercise. overall - since u probably know that they are labyrith and they don't need a air pump/stone. if it isn't a kit and a reg tank then u might find it usefull to get a cover just in case ur betta likes to fly instead of swim.
that should cover the basic's,good luck with ur first betta,
Chris

Thanks so much everyone that really helps. I will read the websites, I have already read teh betta talk one and it si really good. I have a 25 wtt heater. And I will do 100 water cahnges every week. What filter should I get? Or should I not use one? I will feed bloodworms and other frozen food and peas. I feed peas to my platys so i know how to do them! I will have live plants and so decoration and I will do the panty hose thing.

Thanks a lot! I will post any questions I have and some picz when i get it!

If you get a filter, you probably want to stick with something that has an adjustable flow, as strong currents can annoy some bettas. There's hmm... internal filters (I use the internal filter that came with my 5 gallon minibow... it's adjustable and the betta in there has no issues with that current whatsoever), sponge type filters (I have no experience there, so you'll have to ask someone else) and HOB filters, perhaps those nano filters would work? [link=http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/product.xml?product_id=29281;category_id=1721;pcid1=2885;pcid2=]http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/product.xml?product_id=29281;category_id=1721;pcid1=2885;pcid2=" style="COLOR: #9900FF[/link]

~Meow. Thus spoke the cat.~

Bloodworms should be only fed as an occassional treat. They can constipate your betta. Peas will help eliminate constipation. If you have filter, I believe that 100 percent water changes weekly are not needed. I do anywhere from 20 to 50 percent water changes for Gofish's tank. He is in a minibow with an internal filter that is adjusted down to its lowest setting. He likes to chase and play with his food in the current. Makes him feel like a mighty hunter/killer. Silly fish. Valentino is still in a bowl, and that gets 100 percent water changes weekly because it is not filtered.

pugperson

Those WWW sites will also help me as I have no idea of how to look after them. I will be posting a thread asking for some photos and more info later today.

Keith

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