I just bought a betta fish (his name is Steve), and the bowl he's in has no filter, no aeration system, etc. How important are these things? I've seen bowls without them before... Will my fish die without them? I treated his water and everything, and I will change the water every week, but is there anything else he needs?
2006-09-21 10:16:06 · 13 answers · asked by Girl Wonder 5 in Pets ➔ Fish
They have special organs with which they can gulp air and absorb oxygen. It really isn't necessary. As long as you change 25% of the water weekly, it should be fine. I usually put the Betta and most of the water in another bowl, swirl the remaining water around to suspend most of the particles, and pour it down the drain. I put the Betta and his water back in and top off the bowl with aged (24 hours) tap water. There will be some bits of fish poop left, but it is not a problem whereas, cleaning the bowl too much is.
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2006-09-21 10:29:54 · answer #1 · answered by iceni 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I really don't believe in bowls for any fish. Just because bettas live in "little puddles" in their native land, does not mean these bettas in America can live in those conditions.
The native bettas have their own ecosystem. Yours does not.
I wouldn't put a betta in anything less that a 2.5g personally. That is what my Phineas is in right now with a filter and a heater (bettas need warm water as they are tropical).
The more you do to better their life, the better they will thrive. After all, would you want to be kept in a small closet with no window or circulating air? Didn't think so, why would you put any fish through that then?
2006-09-21 10:24:25 · answer #2 · answered by Zoer 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Aeration is useless for a betta. (Aeration is mildly useful as bacteria that break down ammonia need it.)Unlike most fish betta can breath air from the surface. In fact a betta's gills aren't functional, and he will drown if he can reach the surface. Filters main function is to remove ammonia, and they will also provide aeration. This reduces the amount of water you need to change.
Note- It's not possible for a plant to remove a useful amount of nitrates, or add oxygen to the water. (noting that betta breath from the surface) In nature you have 20-30 times the mass of plants to animals. The so called betta vase is a death trap. Plants are nice to look at, and your betta may like them, but they don't clean the water or provide food. (Betta are carnivores)
2006-09-21 12:51:53 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Bettas (pronounced bet-tah, not bay-tah) are "tropical fish" and need temps in the range of 76-80 degrees. They come from Thailand (formerly Siam, hence the name Siamese Fighting Fish) where the temps are regularly above 80 degrees.
Sabersquirrel, I tried to email you about filters removing ammonia, but it would not go through because you have not confirmed your email address to the site. You may be wondering why no one has ever emailed you....
The only way a filter will remove ammonia is if there are ammo-lock chips in it. They are expensive and need to be replaced frequently. The cheapest way is to do regular (weekly) partial (25-30%) fresh water changes.
2006-09-21 13:28:49 · answer #4 · answered by 8 In the corner 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the filtration and aeration pump would be nice. even though you decide on changing the water every week, it's still a hassle. then again all the equpiment costs money too so really it's up to you. I've left my fishys in my toilet for about a couple days and they survived, amazingly. they can do fine without it so long as you maintain their water routinely. every week might be pushing it. something like every 5 days might be better. keep in mind they'll be breathing in the same water they poop in. you can go to the petco or petland and get a really small 1-2 gallon tank with all the pumps and filters with it. just a thought.
2006-09-21 10:26:26 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
A floating plant will give a perfect cycle for your betta. Other than that, betta's are pretty easy. Just dont use filtered water or spring water. Any water except distilled, which I use, contains chlorine which, without dechlorine, will kill Steve. Good luck.
2006-09-21 11:04:47 · answer #6 · answered by JustJake 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No you don't have to aerate or filter his bowl. You should change his water once a week. What I do is fill a pitcher with water leave it out at room temp over night ...about 12 hours so that the clorine is out of the water. then change it...... one day a week you should not feed him so he cleans himself out. if there is bubbles on top of the water it means he happy.
2006-09-21 10:29:47 · answer #7 · answered by ral 2 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
If you put too much food in the bowl the fish will throw up a lot and he will be swimming in his own acids. so if the bowl is small klean it yourself. but if the fish got room, then go ahead put that filter in....... Remember no 2 bettas can be in the same bowl.
2006-09-21 11:44:04 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
you no need any stuff above,
betta is an anabantoid, they have outside gill that allow them to get air from above so no need filter or aeration.
2006-09-22 13:40:49 · answer #9 · answered by fantasy_aquatic 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No your cool. Just change Steve's water every week with filtered or spring water.
2006-09-21 10:23:45 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋