I've read over and over and over again about how you should never put a female in with a male unless she is with eggs. Except for a small article I found on Petsmart.com where it said a male can be kept with females and gentle fish, I thought that the guys would be bachelors forever (except for those rare honeymooning occasions.) But after not having the best of luck with … [Read more...] about My Experience Male & Female Cohabitation
Guest Bloggers
Photographing Your Betta – 35mm with autofocus
I have been receiving questions from a few folks wanting to know how I take pictures of my bettas and what kind of camera that I am using. As a help, I will share what I have found to work for me. Taking pictures of your betta can be tricky but once you find a way to make it work for you it is a lot of fun! I am by no means a pro when it comes to picture taking, not at all. … [Read more...] about Photographing Your Betta – 35mm with autofocus
The Thrill of the Buy
Once a week, usually Mondays, I drive during my lunch break to the LFS of my youth. Filled with clean tanks, they showcase the best of each breed of freshwater, pond and saltwater animals. Right in front, just as you pass the 1,300-gallon shark tank, are the Bettas. Three tiers, each having 10 partitions, state-of-the-art filtration, and full-spectrum lighting; here is the … [Read more...] about The Thrill of the Buy
My Experience with Filters (positive results)
Knowing that some Bettas have difficulty with a filtered tank, I thought you all might want to hear some positive experiences regarding Bettas and filtration. I received my first Betta, "Sushi" as a gift from a co-worker in March/April 2002. He came with a gallon size vase, gravel and a silk plant. I purchased additional silk plants and decorated his home as an underwater … [Read more...] about My Experience with Filters (positive results)
Shipping a Betta – the HB way
Many people wonder how I have gotten bettas to their destination with absolutely no color loss and eating right out of the bag. I got my shipping tips from a local breeder that ships their show bettas and takes great care in how they do it. Because I have vested much time and energy into getting my rescues 100% back to health, I take the extra step (and a little extra money) … [Read more...] about Shipping a Betta – the HB way
Bettas & Filters. My experience – Negative Results.
Ruth wrote: This is a fairly long story here but I feel it is very important. Please bear with me. I am fairly new at this betta obsession. I have been at it a little over a month now. It was not something I decided to do on my own. I, in fact, am one of the people who received a betta in a bowl gift. Not having a clue on how to care for the little guy, I started … [Read more...] about Bettas & Filters. My experience – Negative Results.
The Native Betta Habitat – Separating Fact from Fiction
My Sad Introduction to the Betta Myth I recall the first time I ever laid eyes on Betta splendens. Like most people, I was wandering about a local pet store and thought I’d pop through the fish section. I had not owned fish since the deaths of my tropical fish in a grossly overstocked 10g (40L) tank I owned as a kid – how I wish I had the internet to educate me then rather … [Read more...] about The Native Betta Habitat – Separating Fact from Fiction
Aquarium Chemistry, Including Redox for Bettas & Other Fish
Much of this information I will provide is condensed and more basic, but comes a from a couple of very in depth and researched articles on this subject (which readers can read if they desire a more in depth understanding). I will not address the organic chemistry aspect (the Nitrogen Cycle), which involves ammonia, nitrates, etc., rather the aspects of KH, GH, pH, mineral … [Read more...] about Aquarium Chemistry, Including Redox for Bettas & Other Fish