I have a betta fish and I have a couple questions about him......................................?

Question

My betta is in a 5 gallon tank. He was in a smaller bowl before, and I didnt want the transition from his bowl water, to a tank with clean water to be too rough, so I put about half of his "dirty" water in the new tank. It was clear in his bowl, but its cloudy in the tank, is it just settling? or should I empty the tank half way and add all new water?

I feed him those betta pellets from the pet store. He gets fed twice a day. about how many pellets should he get? I give him about 5 or 6 each time. I dont want to over feed him but I dont want to underfeed him either. If he eats them fast, I add a couple more. Is that okay?

His tank is on my dresser and theres a big mirror behind it. I know they hate other bettas so will seeing the betta in the mirror constantly, drive him nuts? Should I put something behind his tank so he cant see the mirror?

finally, the tank has a light. should I use it during the day, or will it annoy him? I dont want to freak him out.

thanks for any info. I just want my betta to be happy and healthy. I want to provide him with the best care possible.

Answer 1

Alright, in order...
It's good that you put some of his old water in the new tank. Putting him right into brand new water could've shocked him. I'd give it a couple days to settle, and filter through, and if it doesnt clear up by then, then remove some of it (not all of it) and replace it with clean, treated water.

I feed mine once in the morning, and once at night, and he also eats those little betta pellets. I usually give him 4 and watch him. If he eats all 4, I'll give him one more. Remember they have tiny little stomachs. The next time you feed him, count how many you put in there and then watch him eat. Keep track of how many he eats, and how many sink to the bottom of the tank, then go with that number the next time you feed him. (for instance, if you give him 6 pellets, and he only eats 4, then the next time you feed him, give him 4, if he eats all 6 then give him 6 the next time). Bettas arent like goldfish, that will eat themselves to death if you keep feeding them. A betta will stop when its full.

Bettas are smart, and can see their reflection, and assume it's another betta. Seeings as male bettas are extremely territorial, he'll want to kill that other betta. He'll drive himself nuts trying to get to that betta in the mirror. You can buy one of those scenic "backgrounds" for your tank. It'll add some color and block the mirror from your bettas view. Either that or put a piece of paper or something behind his tank so he cant see the mirror. (think about it, if you had a mortal enemy, would you want to have to look at them 24/7?)

The light is fine during the day but make sure you turn it off at night. A fish tank light shouldnt be on any longer than 10-12 hours per day. If you keep it on alot, it'll grow algae in your tank.

The transition from the bowl to the tank probably already made him a happy betta (kind of like moving from a one bedroom apartment to a 2 story house, for us). It sounds like you're doing well. Good luck and have fun with your fishie.

Answer 2

Depending on the pellet size I wouldn't recommend more than 3-4 per day. A betta's stomach is approximately the size of his eye to give you an idea of how much to feed. Did you put the old gravel in as well? The 'dirty' water and substrate will help keep the cycle going in your tank (Tiny bacteria growing on things that break down the toxins (ammonia and nitrite) in the tank which eventually turns into less harmful nitrate which is removed during a water change.). I would add a small filter and only do about a 10% water change per day until the water settles and then a 30% weekly after that. The light shouldn't be a problem during the day, provided it is far enough away and doesn't overheat the water. Maybe put something decorative between his tank and the mirror as well.

Answer 3

Good questions.

The water change was a good move, but the cloudiness indicates you may be overfeeding him slightly. One easy way to do a water change is to keep a gallon jug of water at room temperature in a closet or something and you won't have to worry about temperature differences when making a water change. As long as the water jug has been at room temperature for at least 2 hours, you'll be fine.

I would feed him 3 to 6 pellets twice a day. Feed him only as much as he can eat completely and don't allow un-eaten pellets to stay in the water. They will turn the water cloudy.

The mirror can be fun, but I wouldn't want to keep him in front of the mirror all the time. He could get exhausted from trying to fight with his image all the time. Give him at least some opportunity to get away from the mirror...you could cover 1/2 the rear of the tank with paper, or the whole rear of the tank too...your choice.

You can use a light during the day, but make certain it's not too close to the surface of the water that the heat from the lgith actually raises the water temperature. Changing the water temp due to heat exposure would not be healthy for the fish. Keep the water around 76-80 degrees F, but they can be fine in water from 68 to 80 degrees F.

Answer 4

your tank is going through a cycle, the cloudiness is absolutely normal, because it needs to establish healthy bacteria

For right now do 10% waterchange every 2 days, that way you can control the ammonia spike which will occur in the middle of the cycle

Once your ammonia is at "0" and you have some nitrate readings, your tank is cycled, and you can do 25% parial waterchange once a week with a gravel siphon

What you're feeding him is way to much, don't feed him more then 2-3 pellets a day, or you will soon have a constipated betta

Also fast your betta once a week for a whole day, this prevents constipation as well

He will get used to the mirror in time

Also provide him with a live plant, they love to rest on them

As for the light, leave it on for 10-12 hours during the day, and turn it off for 12-14 hours at nigth

Also check that his temperature is constant, it's suppose to be somewhere between 76-82 degrees


Hope that helps
Good luck


EB

Answer 5

Water needs to cycle in the tank.

Added the other water does help but be sure to keep up on small water changes not all the water.

Do not fall for all the crap at the petstore to stop cloudy water or anything. All you need is the water conditioner/dechlorinator.

Answer 6

you are feeding him way way too much i feed mine 2 flakes once a day and you should move his tank cause the mirror will bother him

Answer 7

read here...

http://ezinearticles.com/?Ten-Tips-for-Caring-for-Your-Betta-Fish&id=54839

and here...

http://freshaquarium.about.com/cs/anabantids2/p/betta.htm

and put something between him and the mirror... how would you like to think you're being attacked all day long?.... take it away to show him off or just once in a while to keep him in shape!.... the one thing that I didn't know about mine was that warm water was needed.... now I know why mine always seemed 'sleepy'.....

good luck with your Beta!...