Ram, originally uploaded by Dusty V. Joining an aquarium club offers opportunities that few even realize. First there are dozens of organizations all around the country and the world. Some clubs have a wide focus and discuss both freshwater and marine fish while many will chose one or the other. Still others are species specific for those who are crazy for one sort of fish… … [Read more...] about Aquarium Clubs
Betta splendens
Sending Fish on an Airplane (With & Without You)
Fishes, originally uploaded by phogel. Q: R wrote, HI THERE! First of all, I’d like to say I love your blog! Thanks for keeping up such a great site! Second, here’s a q for you! Is it legal to travel with your betta on a plane, in a container, on your lap? Sometimes people travel with their dog or cat in their lap, so i am hoping a Tupperware and a couple of hours at … [Read more...] about Sending Fish on an Airplane (With & Without You)
Calculating True Aquarium Volume & Additives
Q: AB wrote, Your site is WONDERFUL, soooo much info. My question is how do you calculate the different water conditions? I changed a 10 gal community [tank] this past Sunday & have lost two female bettas & 2 little orange school fish. I’m not good with figuring the math part like chlorine drops, StressCoat and salt for different size tanks. Who could I put with one … [Read more...] about Calculating True Aquarium Volume & Additives
Large Aquariums: Housing Male Bettas with Females
Q: Anon wrote, I have a 20 gal long with some peaceful community fish and I’m currently keeping a male and female in separate tanks. I’d like to add them both to this one tank but don’t know how they will react in the same tank. Is it safe to house them together? A: Generally speaking it isn’t a good idea to house male and female Betta splendens in the same aquarium. Both … [Read more...] about Large Aquariums: Housing Male Bettas with Females
Thermal Shock & Chlorine Poisoning
humpingtheheater150, originally uploaded by rkbentley. Q: KM wrote, When doing a total water change for our male betta, “Patches”, my 6 year old daughter thought she was helping, and decided to fill the aquarium with tap water and to ahead a put the fish in when I stepped away to take care of another matter. He seemed fine last night, but this morning he is listless, and … [Read more...] about Thermal Shock & Chlorine Poisoning
When Stress Overcomes your Betta
Q: LL wrote, I am struggling with the death of my betta. I lost him on Friday, after having him for a year and 4 months. He was doing just great until 2 months ago when he started hanging around at the bottom of the tank more. I did tons of research and thought the problem was two-fold: water was too cold and I was not leaving some of the water in the tank when I cleaned … [Read more...] about When Stress Overcomes your Betta
Preparing a New Home for your Betta
Q: SO wrote, I am so glad to have come across your extremely helpful website! Finally, somewhere to find answers that make sense. About 1 1/2 year ago, we adopted a betta that my daughter’s class could no longer care for. At that time, he was in a very small container, swimming in plain old tap water. Now, I never thought of myself as a “fish person”, but very quickly, I … [Read more...] about Preparing a New Home for your Betta
First Betta: Size, Lighting, Water Changes & Other Great Questions
betta3, originally uploaded by girlpirate. Q: CBN wrote: Hey Christie! Great site. I’ve enjoyed reading your site and Blog. I’m a new enthusiast from Colombia, and wanted your advice on my new baby, Titan!. Despite all the ideal recommendations, I’ve made my adoption and aquarium the way I wanted it, trying to make it ideal, but not quite, since I don’t have ALL the time … [Read more...] about First Betta: Size, Lighting, Water Changes & Other Great Questions
The Nitrogen Cycle & Fishless Cycling Method
In an aquarium or fish bowl the fish give off waste, which over a short time breaks down into toxic ammonia. We all know that ammonia is quite dangerous even in small quantities so as aquarists we need to take steps to combat it. In a small Betta bowl that might mean making full 100% water changes every week but what if the tank were larger like 10 gallons or what if it were a … [Read more...] about The Nitrogen Cycle & Fishless Cycling Method
Betta Fish Names
Rather than the usual serious Betta talk, I thought I would try something a little more interactive. I know folks are always looking for fun, funny and unique names for their Bettas. Actually, the whole concept of naming fish seems to be fairly unique to Bettas and a small handful of other fish. Maybe it’s because they have varying characteristics that make each individual … [Read more...] about Betta Fish Names