Jezebel Originally uploaded by Jezebel3. Q: GT wrote, Hi Christie. I would like to put together a female betta tank but I keep getting conflicting information on how big it should be and the number of girls you can keep together safely. I really don’t think I can afford anything bigger then a 10 gallon [...]

Q: HB wrote, Nippyfish, my aquarium is getting too warm for my fish now that summer is here. I don’t have A/C and I’m afraid my betta is going to cook. The temperature is already up to 82F. What can I do? A: As summer approaches many of us will have to struggle with warmer [...]

Q: SB wrote, I just brought home a new betta last night and he is acting skittish when I approach his bowl. Is there something I can do to keep him calm? A: Adjusting to a new tank can be stressful for some bettas. To help ease the transition you can place your betta in [...]

Q: FP wrote, Christie, I just bought a crowntail male from a breeder 3 days ago and he won’t eat anything I give him. I have tried Bio-Gold pellets, betta bites and flakes. Is he stressed out from being shipped? I’m afraid he’s going to starve to death. A: Acclimating to a new environment can [...]

Q: B wrote, I just finished cycling a 10 gallon tank for my betta, Mo. I want to add some other fish. I was thinking of some guppies, a snail and maybe some kind of algae eater. Will this be okay for my tank? How many more fish can I add? Thanks. A: A 10 [...]

While it’s true that healthy male bettas tend to blow bubble nests more then unhealthy bettas it isn’t a given that your healthy male will makes nests.

Q: FP wrote, My betta has a pinhole in his tail fin. What kind of medicine should I use to fix this? Is this a case of fin rot? A: A pinhole is nothing to worry about. They happen occasionally and will heal themselves in a few days. Fin rot is a bacterial infection and [...]

Q: WP wrote, Hi Christie. I’m getting married this summer and want to use Siamese fighting fish as my centerpieces to give away to guests. They’re so beautiful and I can color coordinate them with my flower arrangements. Do I have to worry about them jumping out of the vases during the reception? Will the [...]

Q: CF wrote, Why is my betta’s stomach so bloated? Is he getting fat? A: A few things can cause a bettas stomach to bloat. Overfeeding is the most common culprit. Most fish food containers advise you to feed your betta what they can eat in two minutes. Because bettas tend to bloat it’s better [...]

Q: FN Wrote, Should I get my betta a flare buddy so he won’t be depressed? A: Flare buddies are a bit of a misnomer. Male bettas are territorial by nature. This is an instinctual pattern imprinted in their DNA designed for the survival of the species. When mating, healthy aggressive male bettas bully away [...]