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Ok, so these don't really go under 'advanced care' but they are Betta-specific so I hope it's ok if I post them here....

I have my first male Betta - he WILL be living in a 5 gallon with a filter that seems to be done cycling, but I'm going to give it another day or two to be sure it's stable. Right now he's seeming quite pleased (active and happy) in this 3 gallon with a heater and a hidey-place and a 1 gallon change every day. It seems he can see his reflection in the side sometimes, and it keeps him on his toes : )

My questions:

1) He has a sort of hole/indentation in his bottom fin. He had it when I got him. Is it likely to heal or grow in? Not that it matters much, but it would be pretty if it did.
http://www.homepage.mac.com/melissa_morris/fish/betta.htm

2) He eats a lot. I have an idea in my head that he should eat as much as he can in 1 minute two times a day, and the first few days he wasn't eating as much, but now he's just an eating machine. Snarfs it down. Right now he has Hikari pellets and some freeze-dried bloodworms, though I'm looking forward to getting something live that he can chase around.... Am I in the right ball-park with how much I'm feeding him?

Much thanks from a Betta newbie!

What a beautiful betta!

I'm not entirely sure on your first question, the indentation almost looks like it could be natrural but it it was a torn fin at one time I don't know if it will grow back or not.

It sounds like you are feeding him well, especially if you don't see the food wasted and he is not TOO fat. I'm not sure about your LFS but sometimes they carry the live brine shrimp at ours which would be a delightful thing for your betta to chase to eat. If yours does not have them you could always grow your own (sea monkey's). Also, be careful with the amount of freeze dried blood worms you feed, it can make them constipated and sometimes betta's have been known to not accept other dry foods if they get the blood worms all the time.

For a newbie it sounds like you are doing a good job and taking genuine interest. Welcome to the site!

Right on -

Good to know about the freeze-dried bloodworms. I'll lean towards the pellets and use the bloodworms as a treat...

They have these
http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=SB1111

at my lfs - has anybody tried them? Would those be the shrimp that will swim around after they hatch? When I looked at the directions I couldn't tell if you hatch them in saltwater then they die in freshwater, or if they would still swim around once they were in your tank.

Also - are those shrimp something you would also give to a goldfish for a treat once in awhile (even though goldies are more veggie eaters)?

I found a bunch of posts about hatching brine shrimp - so I'm good there. .

Just wanted to report that my new Betta - even in his temporary 3 gallon - already built a bubble nest, which means good happy healthy, right? I feel like a proud mama : ) first Betta building his first bubble nest.... awwww...

Thanks for advice.

Melissa

Building a bubble nest is the first sign of happiness. Good job!