Here is what you will need: Salt: You must use marine salt and not regular aquarium salt. Water: Use your usual conditioned source water. Hydrometer: To measure specific gravity (s.g.) - salinity. I find the simple plastic type with the swinging arm to be best. It must measure at least as low as 1.010 on the scale and the more detailed the measurements are on the … [Read more...] about Brackish Water Preparation
betta aquarium
Betta Fish Hammock
If you stop to watch your betta for a few minutes you will see him surface, sticking his mouth above water, to suck in air. Though they have gills, they still rely on their labyrinth organ (similar to lungs) to gain oxygen from the atmosphere. This allows them to survive in poorly oxygenated waters where other fish species would suffocate and parish. Betta fish spend much of … [Read more...] about Betta Fish Hammock
Breeding or Fear Stripes?
Did you know that Bettas can tell you how they feel? Well, not with words but rather through body language. Bettas use all kinds of physical displays to send a message. One of the most commonly observed displays is the spreading of their fins and gill covers in an impressive display that says, “BACK OFF BUDDY!” Bettas also have more subtle ways of illustrating how they … [Read more...] about Breeding or Fear Stripes?
Velvet Disease
Velvet Disease or Piscinoödinium or Oödinium pilularis is a parasitic infestation that is very common among both salt and freshwater fish. This parasite is opportunistic and is present in most commercial aquariums. When a fish is stressed due to temperature fluctuations, poor water quality or other stressors they become susceptible to the parasites. Velvet Disease is … [Read more...] about Velvet Disease
Treating Stubburn Fin Rot in Betta Fish
Shelbi with Fin Rot. Image provided by BS Q: BS wrote, My betta fish Shelbi has fin rot now. His water is and has been pristine with the parameters at their perfect spots. He had blackened tips when I bought him but I thought it was just his coloring. Now his fin tips are damaged and broken. I did water changes and checked his water repeatedly before getting medications to … [Read more...] about Treating Stubburn Fin Rot in Betta Fish
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)