So you are thinking about getting a buddy for your betta fish? With all the options, selecting a tankmate for your betta can be a daunting task. There is so much to consider. Here is our list of the top 7 things to consider when selecting a tankmate for your betta. 1. Betta’s Temperment – There is a reason they are not called Siamese Cuddle Fish. Fighting fish are naturally … [Read more...] about Betta Tankmates – 7 Things You Must Consider
Betta splendens
10 Reasons to Cycle your Betta Tank
Tank cycling is when we assist our aquarium in growing a colony of beneficial bacteria that will consume dangerous ammonia and nitrite, the byproducts of fish waste and other decaying organic debris. This is a naturally occurring process that, given the right conditions, would occur anyway in your tank. When you cycle your tank you simply allow this natural process to take … [Read more...] about 10 Reasons to Cycle your Betta Tank
Conditioning Bettas for Breeding
What does it mean to “condition your betta fish?” When breeders refer to conditioning their bettas they are referring to the period of time (usually 2 weeks) where they provide the best possible diet and housing conditions for their fish in an effort to prepare them for breeding. The diet is altered to encourage the females to produce eggs and for the males to store energy so … [Read more...] about Conditioning Bettas for Breeding
Breeding or Fear Stripes?
Did you know that Bettas can tell you how they feel? Well, not with words but rather through body language. Bettas use all kinds of physical displays to send a message. One of the most commonly observed displays is the spreading of their fins and gill covers in an impressive display that says, “BACK OFF BUDDY!” Bettas also have more subtle ways of illustrating how they … [Read more...] about Breeding or Fear Stripes?
Velvet Disease
Velvet Disease or Piscinoödinium or Oödinium pilularis is a parasitic infestation that is very common among both salt and freshwater fish. This parasite is opportunistic and is present in most commercial aquariums. When a fish is stressed due to temperature fluctuations, poor water quality or other stressors they become susceptible to the parasites. Velvet Disease is … [Read more...] about Velvet Disease
Welcome to the New Nippyfish.net
Welcome to the all-new Nippyfish.net website. As you can see we are still under construction as we merge our world famous Nippyfish: A Betta Blog with the articles and information from our old site. If you can’t find the information you are looking for, please be patient. We will be bringing back everything and more. The search bar, that was so popular on our blog, is now … [Read more...] about Welcome to the New Nippyfish.net
Summer is Here – Fighting Algae Blooms
Summer is finally here and with it generally comes a more stable pH. Water treatment facilities will often do a flushing of the system in the spring causing spikes in chlorine and chloramine levels and unstable KH and pH levels. By the time summer rolls we tend to find less fluctuation in the water chemistry. Instead we are faced with the challenge of keeping our tanks from … [Read more...] about Summer is Here – Fighting Algae Blooms
Tips for Caring for Betta Fish in the Spring
Nippyfish A Betta Blog is on a bit of a spring break while Christie (that’s me) focuses on her crazy busy day job and wedding planning. We don’t want to leave you in the dust though so please use our betta blog search engine to find answers to your fighting fish questions. There are hundreds of articles and reader questions answered there. For now, enjoy this list: Caring … [Read more...] about Tips for Caring for Betta Fish in the Spring
So You Just Got Your First Betta Fish – Need Help?
Hello Nippyfish Readers (new and returning) and welcome to the busiest time of the year to be a Betta Fish blogger. Mid December kicks off an upswing of visitors to the blog and the Nippyfish main site as people receive well-meaning (if not poorly-planned) bettas as holiday gifts. The first flood of people are those who have turned to the web to learn how to care for their new … [Read more...] about So You Just Got Your First Betta Fish – Need Help?
Punishment for Fighting Betta Fish
I was having a really interesting conversation on Twitter today about betta fish fighting for gambling/recreation purposes. It’s no secret that Nippyfish does not tolerate animal fighting for sport and I am happy to say most of world doesn’t tolerate it either. When we talk about fighting bettas it is usually in reference to deep-seeded traditions ingrained in far-away … [Read more...] about Punishment for Fighting Betta Fish