I've just bought a Siamese fighting fish and its really cool. I've introduced it to my 32 Litre Tank, and its a coldwater one too. I know you are suppose to keep the water warm if the tank is over 8 Litre but the pet store lady said it will survive, {just not as active}. How do I take care of it?
2007-01-22 16:19:22 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Fish
if the water is in the 70s you are probably ok. if a betta gets too cold it will stress like any other tropical. is it in the 32 litre by itself? it doesn't get along with goldfish at all.
bettas are easy to care for -- but usually are best kept alone in 4 to12 litre bowls or tanks. feed it hikari betta pellets 6 a day in two or three meals. it likes fresh or frozen bloodworms more than anything. 3 make a good meal once or twice a week. if he likes green peas then give him those once a week -- about three pieces the size of his eye. this will provide enough fiber to keep him from getting constpiated and swim bladder disease.
in cold water he is very prone to disease like ich. be on the lookout. it will look like he got sprinkled with sugar and spread fast. you should really consider heating the tank. or finding a way to keep the temperature in the upper 70s. even a tank with a hood and light helps some.
bettas like plants. some really easy to care for plants are java fern and java moss. just tie them to rocks or pieces of wood and drop them in. they prefer to not be planted. some bettas like hide outs. i give mine small asian cups and some like them as homes and some don't.
they don't need filtration as it hinders building bubble nests. they are used to rice paddies and stagnant water. filtration can actually damage the fins on very nice ones like half moons -- i know from experience. no filtration means more frequent water changing. mine are in 4 litres and get changed at least weekly. if the water is looking a little dirty it gets changed right away.
you can keep a baster to vacuum up bits of poop and uneaten food to help maintain water quality.
2007-01-22 17:27:05 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
Siamese Fighting fish are really cool. I dont know what you mean by "its a coldwater one." Siamese fighting fish are completely tropical fish meaning they need to be at a temperature of 72-75 degrees Fahrenheight. It is true that they could maybe survive for awhile at a lower temperature but most likely it will result in them slowly dying from disease. To be at their healthiest they need the proper temperature. The temperature of the tank doesnt depend on the size it only depends on the type of fish you have. Goldfish are coldwater fish so 65-70 degrees Fahrenheight.
Also dont rely on the "bugs" that supposedly grow in the gravel or your fish will starve.
Dont overfeed the fish, it causes too much extra waste in the water and that can also kill the fish.
If you dont have a filter on the tank then you need to change some of the water often because waste toxins can build up and do damage to your fish's gills.
Also when changing the water if you have city water make sure you use a dechlorinator to get the chlorine out, that also harms the fish.
You could do a search on the internet about siamese fighting fish care (they are also called betta splendens). Good luck and remember that these fish are supposed to be hardy but they arent the type of fish you can just leave in a bowl and ignore. They will live happy lives and stay really beautiful if you take good care of them.
2007-01-22 16:45:45 · answer #2 · answered by SP 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A Siamese Fighting Fish is a tropical fish and should not have to live in an unheated tank. The lady from the store is wrong.
Place a heater in the tank and make the little fellow more comfy.
2007-01-22 16:29:13 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Those fish live in 85 degree water. Keeping the temp STEADY is more important than anything... Fluctuations in temperature over even a few degrees will cause stress and lower immune response in the fish and he will succumb to diseases, most likely will stop eating and die.
Spend the six bucks on a cheap heater and never, ever, EVER listen to what "the lady at the fish store" says.
2007-01-22 16:32:41 · answer #4 · answered by M CEE 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I would get a heater for the thing anyways, betta's are way better, more active and vibrant when warm. All you need to do is frequent water changes, and feed it every day, www.aqua-reliable.co.nr has info on maintaining a fish tank.
2007-01-22 16:36:35 · answer #5 · answered by Flames Fan 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
www.bettatalk.com
Read, read, read. Everything you need to know is at that website.
Don't listen to the pet store lady, she doesn't know! It IS a tropical fish and needs a heater set to about 78 or 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
2007-01-22 16:30:23 · answer #6 · answered by j s 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
if it's by it's self you only need to feed it every other day .... just the tiniest amount.
your tank will eventually have some worms in the gravel and the fish will eat those
2007-01-22 16:25:42 · answer #7 · answered by jay 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
What M Cee said - he beat me this time!
I'll just add some webites on care:
http://www.fishlore.com/Profiles-Betta.htm
http://www.fishlore.com/Profiles-Betta.htm
2007-01-22 16:37:04 · answer #8 · answered by copperhead 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋