Lovely the Fish, originally uploaded by steve xavier. DO wrote, I received a 1 gal. wall bowl w/ bamboo plant, few rocks and red male Betta in March as an anniversary gift from my husband. Up until 1.5 weeks ago he was active, had a routine, seemed happy and healthy. We went out of town for the weekend, I left him a sinkable disc food. It was his 1st time alone. After our … [Read more...] about Betta Bouncing Back From Ammonia Burns
Water Quality
Unstable PH Looks Like Common Bettas Disease
Q: J wrote, I have a Crowntail Splendid Betta; named Bartholomew, whom I’ve had for 1½ years now. I keep him in a 5½ gallon tank with a filter, heater set at 73 degrees, and an air pump with no added tank mates. The tank environment consists of two plastic plants, four fabric plants, a castle for a hideout, two small Java ferns and blue, white and black aquarium rocks at the … [Read more...] about Unstable PH Looks Like Common Bettas Disease
Avoiding Mini-cycles
gustav1, originally uploaded by girlpirate. DW wrote, I just wanted to write to you, and say thank you so much for putting up your site! I’ve learned so much from it! I also am in love with the betta photos you put up with each post. Simply amazing. Make me wanna set up my tripod and take a few rolls of my baby with my SLR since my digi doesn’t do him justice! But now, … [Read more...] about Avoiding Mini-cycles
PH Crashes: The Roll of Carbonate Hardness (KH)
Ghost shrimp close up, originally uploaded by octopus.gallery. Q: CR wrote, I have a general aquarium question I hope you can help me with. I recently had what I think is a pH crash that quickly killed off my ghost shrimp and several small catfish. I can’t figure out what lead to this and would like to know how to avoid it from happening again. A: When pH fluctuates in a … [Read more...] about PH Crashes: The Roll of Carbonate Hardness (KH)
Choosing the Best Method for Tank Cycling
Q: SM wrote, I have a question about my tank…I told you in the other email what I have in my tank. I just want to be assured that when I add all the fish, I cannot change the tank,until I meausre the water and the ammonia is really up , then the bacteria starts? Is that how it works? I just have the filter..so.. I am going to buy a water conditioner but will I really need … [Read more...] about Choosing the Best Method for Tank Cycling
Dangers of Over Salting a Freshwater Aquarium
Betta…, originally uploaded by Fabiz Rabbit©. Q: CLP wrote, I got my male betta – Will on November 5th, so he’s still young. He is in a 2 1/2 gallon tank, heated to 76 degrees. I do weekly water changes of 25% and the pH is at 7.0. My betta has started having fin rot. I went to a fish store, which said the aquarium salt would help him. I’ve been using the aquarium salt for … [Read more...] about Dangers of Over Salting a Freshwater Aquarium
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 Just Laying Around
betta_01, originally uploaded by james_b_b. Q: B wrote,I have been all over trying to get help for my betta, Fritz. He has been sick for over a week now. Color is dim and he just lays on the bottom, rarely tries to swim or eat. I have changed the water, even tried lowering the water level so he wouldn’t have to swim far to eat. Nothing is helping. I don’t see marks on him or … [Read more...] about Betta Fish Just Laying Around
Glossary: Detritus (Mulm)
Dirty Tank (which has been cleaned!!!), originally uploaded by blaqphlegm. In the aquarium, detritus (often called mulm) is organic material made up of fragments of fish waste, uneaten food particles, dead animals, mucus, shed skin and decaying plant matter. It is commonly suspended in the water and sucked into the filter but in conditions where there is little water movement, … [Read more...] about Glossary: Detritus (Mulm)
Chronic Betta Illnesses
portrait of a fish, originally uploaded by olya. Q: SF wrote, I have a betta who is about 2 years old. He’s not well. He is quite lethargic, sits at the bottom regularly, has just developed a few white patches and has had popeye in one eye only for about 7 months. I have tried EM, Marycin, MarycinII, Betta Remedy and have just started him on QuICK Cure. I have never mixed … [Read more...] about Chronic Betta Illnesses