Q: Anonymous wrote: Help. My bettas eye was really swollen when I woke up this morning. I think it might pop out. Is there anything I can do to save him? A: It sounds like you are describing Exophthalmia, commonly known as Popeye. Popeye is a symptom easily identified by the swelling or protrusion of [...]

Fish like Otocinclus catfish are very sensitive to pH changes. Q: T wrote, I don’t think my tap water is safe for fish. I tested the pH out of the tap and it was 8.9 and my KH was almost non-existent. What can I do so that it won’t shock my fish? Should I treat [...]

Above: Marineland Eclipse 6 Aquarium Kit Q: SM wrote, My 7 year old son has been asking for a pet and my husband and I have agreed to a small aquarium. After doing some research it seems like a betta might be the best way to go. They’re easy to care for and I like [...]

Q: SN wrote, Dear Nippyfish,Are live black worms safe to feed to my betta or could they cause a parasitic infestation? If they are safe, what is the best way to keep them alive and how many should I feed at a time? Should I feed them only as a treat?Thanks. A: In my opinion [...]

Q: T wrote, Hi Christie, I was wondering how you pronounce Betta. Do you say “bed-dah” or “bay-dah”? I know the real way is “bed-dah” but I can’t get used to saying it that way. Even the people at PetsMart say “bay-dah.” A: It’s true, the proper pronunciation of Betta is “bed-tah” and not “bay-tah.” [...]

Q: R wrote, My betta has tail rot and your site says poor water quality is probably the cause but I don’t think that’s it because my water is totally clear. Could something else cause fin rot? A: Fin rot is caused by a bacterial infection. Different types of bacteria are usually present in the [...]

Q: HO wrote, Hello there. I have had my betta for about 6 months in a 1 gallon bowl. I heard that bettas are supposed to be pretty active but mine mostly just lays on his plant. He doesn’t greet me with a wiggle like other people say their bettas do. I tested for ammonia [...]

A Rant: I read something so disturbing today that I decided to write about it rather then post the usual Betta splenden Q&A. It most certainly is still relevant, it’s just a break from the norm. The Washington, DC Express Newspaper posts a daily poll and Friday’s question asked, “Do you think human activity is [...]

Q: SL wrote, Nippy, Can I put an Apple Snail in with my betta? A: Apple Snails often make good tank mates for Bettas. There are a few things to prepare for before buying your Apple Snail. First, like aquarium fish, Apple Snails are sensitive to poor water quality and can be harmed by ammonia, [...]

Q: WC wrote, Bettas like slightly acidic water but my tap water is basic with a pH at 7.8. Should I add pH down? How fast should I let the pH fall? A: This is a great question. PH can be confusing and even when you know the numbers knowing what to do with them [...]