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
Bettas and Ich Parasites
Q: JK wrote, I am a new Betta owner and I have a dilemma. I have one very healthy Betta in a Biorb (do you think he hates the bubbles?) and one that is very sick. The sick guy was in a group tank with mollies and a cory catfish. He is (I think) suffering from ammonia poisoning (new tank syndrome) and then came down with ich. I have moved him from the big tank to a 2 gallon … [Read more...] about Bettas and Ich Parasites
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)
Lethargic Betta Floating Vertically
siamese fighting fish, originally uploaded by davidhartstone. Though it may seem counterintuitive, smaller aquariums require a great deal more vigilance and maintenance. If you are a casual aquarist you and your fish will benefit from a larger tank. Q: RF Wrote, Hello, I have a betta that I’ve had for 2 months. He is only my second betta – the first one I had for 3.5 years. … [Read more...] about Lethargic Betta Floating Vertically
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
Indian Almond Leaves: Magical Cure or Placebo
Indian Almond leaves (Terminalia catappa) are one of those homeopathic additives Betta breeders swear by. They are commonly found all over Southeast Asia and India and are imported to many western countries and available in the U.S. To the best of my knowledge, no serious scientific studies have been performed proving that they are at all beneficial to Bettas but they are so … [Read more...] about Indian Almond Leaves: Magical Cure or Placebo
Oops! You Forgot to Change Your Betta’s Water… (when serious time lapses)
Angry stick training one, originally uploaded by revs45. Q: J&J wrote, Christie, [We] have a beautiful dark blue and radiant red Beta Splenden (or at least I think that is what it is called) He has long flowing fins. His name is Earl. Two weeks after my parents gave him to me I received orders and deployed to Iraq. I am back now and can’t wait to help Earl. HISTORY: … [Read more...] about Oops! You Forgot to Change Your Betta’s Water… (when serious time lapses)
Tank Cycling & Bacteria Blooms
Bacteria blooms are caused by heterotrophic bacteria not the autotrophic nitrifying bacteria that are responsible for the cycling process.Q: RM wrote: Hi Christie, I thought I’d give you an update as I’m still looking for some advice. I have been making sure to put in enough Amquel and NovAqua to keep the ammonia levels at 0. I have yet to detect any Nitrite in the … [Read more...] about Tank Cycling & Bacteria Blooms
Betta Laying on Tank Bottom
Q: B wrote, I have a betta fish that I believe is sick. He is laying on the floor of the tank and eats very little only one or two pellets. What could be wrong with my fish? A: Sluggishness and appetite loss can be a sign of many things ranging from something simple like water that is too cool to something more complex like a bacterial infection or parasites. Without more … [Read more...] about Betta Laying on Tank Bottom
Betta Care for the Novice
Black Velvet in motion Originally uploaded by RyanThomas. Happy New Year Betta Blog readers! I hope you had a terrific holiday. Mine was wonderful as I spent it at the not-so-sunny Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fl. No bother, a rainy vacation in Florida is better then a sunny one in D.C. anyway. Still, I’m glad to be back as I have tons of plans for Nippyfish.net and … [Read more...] about Betta Care for the Novice