Question to Beta fish owners

[apac]

So my housemate moved out yesterday and left me one of her 3 beta fish. She also left me half a bottle of fish food, but I'm not sure how much I'm supposed to feed her cause mine are flakes and she used to feed hers pellets. Also, I know she mentioned something about adding something to the water when you change it because tap water is unhealthy (?). Anyone know what shes talking about?

 

[JoPh]

3 pellets per fish per day

water needs to be room temp before u put beta in it. also i think.

 

[CrackRabbit]

Use distilled water, the chlorine in tap water will any fish fairly quickly.
and a few flakes a day is probably fine.

 

[NuclearNed]

They also need daily socialization. Put them in a common bowl or tank for about an hour a day.

:evil:

 

[apac]

Originally posted by: CrackRabbit
Use distilled water, the chorine in tap water will any fish fairly quickly.
and a few flakes a day is probably fine.

Oh thats what it was. She added a drop or two of this solution to the tap water to remove the chlorine. Can that be found at any pet store?

 

[SoylentGreen]

Beta fish?

I don't take it home until it's at least gone gold.

 

[nakedfrog]

There's these drops you can put in the tap water to make it safe. Water changes should be infrequent, and I've heard varying things on the feeding schedule.
[edit]
I believe the drops we use are called "Smart Start," and yeah Wal-mart/Petco/etc should have them.

 

[styrafoam]

Originally posted by: apac

Originally posted by: CrackRabbit
Use distilled water, the chorine in tap water will any fish fairly quickly.
and a few flakes a day is probably fine.

Oh thats what it was. She added a drop or two of this solution to the tap water to remove the chlorine. Can that be found at any pet store?

Yes, it is called "Stress Coat".

 

[apac]

Originally posted by: NuclearNed
They also need daily socialization. Put them in a common bowl or tank for about an hour a day.

:evil:

hahah I know what happens when you do that. When I was like 8 my parents bought 2 and put em in the same tank. The survivor then died of fish cancer or something a year or so later 😉.

 

[JoeKing]

Originally posted by: NuclearNed
They also need daily socialization. Put them in a common bowl or tank for about an hour a day.

:evil:

lol

to the op just a few pellets a day, betas are usually pretty hardy.

 

[Modeps]

Originally posted by: SoylentGreen
Beta fish?

I don't take it home until it's at least gone gold.

I was about to make the same joke.

 

[DrVos]

I've heard from many sources that you shouldn't use distilled water because it is actually unhealthy for them. Just dechlorinate your tap water and change every couple of weeks.

 

[CrackRabbit]

hmm my gf has been using distilled on her's for a while now with no ill effects.

 

[RedRooster]

Hold a blue pen cap up to the bowl, pointed at the fish.
Bloody stupid fish, when my ex used to have em I'd go through one a week. Guess they've got weak hearts and shouldn't be riled up with pen caps so much. 🙂

 

[JoPh]

you can also buy those plants where u dont have to worry about feeding them cause they eat the roots. i forgot what they are called though.

 

[Jzero]

Originally posted by: JoPh
you can also buy those plants where u dont have to worry about feeding them cause they eat the roots. i forgot what they are called though.

1. Don't use distilled water. Tap water is better because of other minerals that are in it. Just get the chlorine out by using water conditioner or let the water stand overnight.

2. Let the new water become room temperature. More accurately, the new water should be the same temp as the old. Bettas are hardy and can handle wide temperature ranges but not drastic changes.

3. Bettas are carnivorous (if that is the appropriate word). They will eat plants if they are starving, but they will be weak and malnourished. In addition to the little pellets, it's good to feed them other things occasionally like brine shrimp or bloodworms. Also, betta fish breathe surface air and these plants often grow to the point where they hinder access to the surface.

4. Mirrors and other bettas in divided tanks make for healthier fish. The sense of competition seems to make them happier and healthier.

 

[Antisocial Virge]

Originally posted by: styrafoam

Originally posted by: apac

Originally posted by: CrackRabbit
Use distilled water, the chorine in tap water will any fish fairly quickly.
and a few flakes a day is probably fine.

Oh thats what it was. She added a drop or two of this solution to the tap water to remove the chlorine. Can that be found at any pet store?

Yes, it is called "Stress Coat".

Not the same thing. Stress coat replaces fish slim. Does nothing to condition the water.