Hi guys, I’m a new fish owner so I’m looking for any and all advice to give him the best life! Please don’t flame me, I know he’s very pale and sad looking, he was in the tiniest little jar at the pet store with disgusting water (his jar was literally dusty), I couldn’t just leave him, and even though I wasn’t fully prepared I did have this tank filled with water for 24 hours prior, so it was warm by the time I brought him home. The pet store may have done too much damage, so I’m not sure if he will thrive or not.
He’s currently in a 5.5 gallon tank alone with a few fake plants, a filter, and a bubbler (lowest intensity setting). His tank is at 78°, and he’s been in here for about 15 hours.
He was swimming around a lot earlier kind of exploring, he seems to really be enamored by the bubbles, and now he’s just sort of resting I think? His gills were flaring a lot yesterday, probably out of stress, but he seems to be super chill today. I’m not even sure what kind of betta he is since he’s so pale, and he was only labeled as “male betta”. I’m sure there’s something more I could be doing, or something environmental I can make better, so please leave any guidance, it would be much appreciated! Thank you!
https://i.redd.it/ttypvdz3c7sg1.jpeg
Posted by goosebuggie
5 Comments
If your going to have fake plants these hard plastic ones aren’t great as they can damage your bettas fins. Go for softer ones like silk plants if you can’t get live ones. Or do a mix of soft fake plants and low maintenance live ones that don’t need nutrient rich substrate for example rizome plants like java fern or anubias.
Looks like a veiltail from his fin shape. Have you added dechlorinator to the water and checked parameters? That is the most important thing to do alongside temperature (well done for getting it up in time). He won’t mind fake plants as long as they arent sharp and wont damage his fins but he will benefit much more from live plants and they will also make maintenance much easier for you as they will help with the nitrogen cycle. I will add a picture of my 40L community betta tank which you are welcome to use for inspiration
https://preview.redd.it/c2m1o0hdg7sg1.jpeg?width=4284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=53a0e0daa323afc84b52348b1323d2a9d8affcf9
(The lights were low as new fish were just added) Nitrite: 0, ammonia: 0, ph: 8 (a little higher than ideal but fish will adapt better to a slighty higher ph than they will to a ph which changes often from trying to fix it) I have 1 betta, 6 lampeye killifish, 6 pygmy corydoras and 2 dwarf congo frogs
Few things
Some bettas like bubbles, some do not. Bettas prefer calm water so just make sure he isnt stressed out by the bubbler
If you only filled your tank 24 hours prior, it is not cycled and it will build ammonia quick and harm your new fish. You would be best off getting seachem stability or any other bottled bacteria. IF you have an established tank or someone you know (and trust) does, you can take a filter bag of their substrate and plop it in your new tank. You are essentially seeding the new tank with good bacteria that breaks down the fishes waste and converts it into food for live plants.
Your betta will want places to get out of direct light, and also rest near the surface. Bettas have a labrynth organ that allows them to breathe air, so you can get a betta log or tall plants to allow him to rest near the surface. Some floating plants would also be beneficial to help with the lighting.
TANNINS! Bettas love tannins. You can put some indian almond leaves (catappa leaves) into your tank and they will steep (Basically tea). Tannins help calm the betta and have anti-inflammatory properties that promote healing:)
I would also suggest some live plants to help suck up the nitrates. If you dont want to plant into substrate, you can put some say pothos or philodendron cuttings into the tank to root, and those will help with nitrates levels.
Ill add more if I can think of
Credentials: someone who was in your position with rescuing a betta and has done hours of research and has healing fish (pic of my boy Fry attached. He was nearly white when i found him, you can see where all the regrowth has happened)
https://preview.redd.it/wmseatzph7sg1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fd67ca368d7106d0a1563b36ed2831289eeadee6
Buying a fish from a pet store is not a “rescue.” That being said, he’s a pretty lil guy and I wish you the best of luck with him.
Thanks for giving him a chance 🥹