Hey all. I’m super inexperienced in terms of fish keeping but I do have experience with many forms of other pets. There is a betta fish that i’ve been seeing in the local 99 cents store kept in a miserable little jar and I desperately want to grab it and help it. I’m hoping that I can provide a better home for it than a plastic jar on a counter. I’ve ordered a tank with a filter, some gravel and food and am planning to come by and try to buy it tomorrow. Is there any advice anyone may have for me?
Marking with a spoiler filter in case this is triggering to anybody.
https://i.redd.it/8nggujh9ntvg1.jpeg
Posted by lamlosa
4 Comments
Complete newbie here as well. That is one miserable fish, absolutely cruel for them to keep him in that like that. Thank you for wanting to cmrescue him.
I’ve been told that you need to cycle the tank first. I myself bought API quick start which says it makes it immediately safe to add fish bit I’m personally not risking it.
Someone with more experience doing a fish-in cycle of the tank will have to comment.
Look up the nitrogen cycle. You’ll need some kind of test kit, the strips are less accurate than the vial tests. I use the API freshwater master test kit. You’ll also need plants, either live or silk so they dont harm the fish. They like hides and places to rest near the surface. Make sure your tank is at least 5 gallons and ideally you should cycle the tank before you put the fish in, but with a setup like that I’d consider a fish-in cycle, but you’d have to test parameters regularly for a while. Make sure any decor you get doesn’t have any rough edges that could tear their fins. Also they like low water flow, if it’s too fast it’s hard to swim through. Thank you for considering rescuing this guy!!
First things first, thanks so much! That betta is lucky to have a savior like you.
1: Look up how to fish in cycle. You’re gonna need seachem prime!
2: Get an API master test kit! This will let you know what’s going on in your water, and keep your fish happier and live longer!
3: Get a heater! Preferably adjustable, as they are much better and reliable. Hygger on Amazon sells amazing heaters for all sizes and they’re very cheap!
4: Live plants!! They help keep your water clean, look nice, and make maintenance easier!
5: Be limited with feeding. Excess feeding not only makes your betta fat, but also fouls the water!
6: After your tank is fully cycled, do water changes! This all depends on your setup, but an easy rule of thumb is 20% weekly.
7: Don’t forget to condition your water with the previously mentioned seachem prime! Otherwise that poor fish will die because of chlorine and other heavy metals in your tap water.
Wait this store has this betta on display like… as part of their decor? Like actually?
I would be curious to know what the cashiers there think of it and would be hesitant to “rescue” before making sure they understood this was mean and didn’t just go get another one. I’m not trying to dissuade you from your plan, but if you are successful you might go back to this store and see the same story repeat, so just keep that in mind