beauty in the bottle, originally uploaded by anzyAprico. Q: LM & SM wrote, What is your tank size? Dudley’s normal home is a 20 Gal Have you tested for ammonia- what were the results? Yes, I’m a bit of a fanatic here – I use the Mardel master kit strips at least twice a week. All readings are great. What temperature is your tank? Between 82 – 84 … [Read more...] about Betta Illness Develops After New Fish Arrive
Illness Passed from Locally Caught Fish
Yoshiko!, originally uploaded by Fabiz Rabbit©. Q: EW wrote, I am in quite a stand still with what is wrong with my betta and I do not want to lose him! A few days ago I noticed a “film” if you will on my fish. I did a complete water change, and the symptoms went away and the fish resumed it’s happy behavior. Last night I noticed a bit of the film had returned. When I woke … [Read more...] about Illness Passed from Locally Caught Fish
Betta Changes Color
Betta Close Up, originally uploaded by sammorrowphotography. Q: CL wrote, I have a Betta, my first fish. He is in a three gallon tank that has a filter and light. It’s the Eclipse System Tank and has a replaceable carbon filter. I feed him freeze dried blood worms. I see that after looking at your blog that is not good and I am changing that to frozen. He is a beautiful … [Read more...] about Betta Changes Color
Proper Disposal of Aquarium Fish
Oscar fish., originally uploaded by Nekominn. In the grand scheme of things many fish have a relatively short lifespan and as sad as it is eventually we will be faced with the loss of our dear little pet. For todays article I’m going to discuss appropriate means to dispose of the body. For many hobbyists, the loss of a fish brings up a variety of emotions including grief and … [Read more...] about Proper Disposal of Aquarium Fish
Flavobacterium columnare (Cotton Wool Disease)
Tito, originally uploaded by guerogrande. Q: AS wrote, Hey. I have been in a dilemma over this problem for a whole week. My Betta fish lives in a rather big fish bowl with plastic plant. Recently, the tips of his fins have begun turning white and has two strands of whitish substance stuck to the fins. It started probably a week ago. My tank is of a nice temperature of 28 to … [Read more...] about Flavobacterium columnare (Cotton Wool Disease)
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)
Tank Seeding: Speeding up the Nitrogen Cycle
Madness? THIS IS FISHBOWL!, originally uploaded by hackett. Q: TL wrote, I recently heard that seeding your tank with gravel from another tank will help the cycling process go faster. Is this true and is there anything special I have to do to seed it? A: When we cycle our aquariums we grow and sustain cultures of nitrifying bacteria, which will live in the tank and consume … [Read more...] about Tank Seeding: Speeding up the Nitrogen Cycle
Dropsy: Ruling Out Constipation
Photo provided by original emailer. If abdominal bloating doesn’t subside after a few days of fasting, the diagnosis may turn to Dropsy. Q: AC wrote, I think i have a problem, for the last month my betta has been getting fatter and fatter. Until recently I thought it was just a bit of overfeeding. Then I saw your website and the message from SK on 2.22.2007. I have a very … [Read more...] about Dropsy: Ruling Out Constipation
Would You Like a Nippyfish Betta?
TWO NIPPYFISH BETTAS FOR ADOPTION: SEE PHOTOS BELOW FEMALE BETTA FOR ADOPTION Hi Readers, As you may know I am moving across the country this weekend from Washington, DC to California. I am currently looking for good homes for two wonderful pet Bettas. One is a male Pineapple Crowntail and the other is a beautiful, healthy and feisty green/blue female in great … [Read more...] about Would You Like a Nippyfish Betta?
Beta Beta Beta: Betta Sororities
Q: KB wrote, I am writing you just to say that I love your site and the blog. It’s so informative and it’s great that there is someone out there who can provide correct information about bettas. I just recently logged on to check out the blog for updates and I saw that you used my Firefly for the May 11, 2007 article. I was so thrilled to see my betta boy on your website! I … [Read more...] about Beta Beta Beta: Betta Sororities