Got a Betta Fish Last Week

[Jarick]

My daughter was trying to convince us to get a tortoise (!!!) for a few months, but then switched gears and wanted a betta fish. Figured that was a lot easier to deal with so we caved.

Spent several weeks doing research and learning about how to actually care for a fish rather than just see how long they can last. Picked up a 10 gallon tank kit, got some live plants, and set everything up.

So far, so good. The water is testing at decent levels and the fish after a couple days of adjustment is very active. We swapped the filter out from the included box to a sponge filter with air pump, and that seems to make it easier for him to get around (and keeps the water cleaner too).

She picked out a cool looking tangerine koi betta. Been kinda fun learning something new!

 

[the-trooper]

Just one? Lonely

 

[Jarick]

Just one? Lonely

Yeah unfortunately betta fish don't really get along with any other creatures, so just him. She was originally thinking about the glow fish (tetras usually) or getting a few smaller fish and a crab or something, but she really focused in on bettas. She's only 9 but she's super detailed in doing research and learning about these things. Kinda like her dad I guess...

 

[mbenigni]

I got a worse fish last week.

 

[Devin]

Nice fish kimg

 

[Aelred]

If you had called it a Siamese Fighting Fish perhaps it's loner nature would be more obvious to us non-aquarists.

Nice aquarium and occupant.

 

[Jarick]

Well the betta died last week. Sad but also frustrating because we couldn't keep the fish happy and healthy. He basically never seemed comfortable. Looked a bit thin but bloated much of the time. Kept biting off his tail fin so it wouldn't grow out nicely. And over the last month he would just sit on the bottom of the tank.

After a week of thinking about it, my daughter decided to get another betta. We found a local shop where they bring in high quality fish and don't keep them in plastic cups. She picked out a female from a massive community tank with hundreds of beautiful healthy fish lived. Brought the new fish home and she already looks more comfortable than the old fish ever did. She's really curious and calm and a much better swimmer.

I had a lot of fun building and supporting the tank with my kid so I decided to put together my own tank in my office. Picked one up this morning, built a sturdy shelf for it, and will start getting some plants and growing bacteria to prepare for the fish!

 

[Byrdman]

Cool fish!!

If you get tired of watching one fish, get a male guppy and 3-5 females depending on tank size and as long as you have plenty of hiding for the babies, you will have hundreds of fish in a few years.

 

[Jarick]

Picked up a really cool betta at the local shop last night for my tank now that it's cycled and ready to go. This is a star galaxy betta and it's crazy looking. The color is deep blue with tons of shiny turquoise scales, and then the fins are red fading to deep blue with shiny turquoise. WAY better than the sad fish in a cup at the chain stores.

He's super active and really strong, really likes to explore the tank, likes to hunt for food too. Pretty fun to watch him swimming around all day. He seems to want to get my attention to give him more food lol.

Pretty happy with this tank too, it's a nicer tank that has a divider that keeps all the components hidden away. For this tank I have a filter, a heater, added an old filter from the old tank (you need to grow bacteria to feed the ecosystem), and an almond leaf that may help the tank water a bit. I did have to mod the tank by using additional filters to slow down the water movement as bettas don't like to be pushed around. I've got a couple 3D printed parts incoming for a longer-term fix which is pretty popular for this tank.

Overall it's been a lot of fun diving into something new and honestly taking a break from guitar and work and life stuff for a bit.

 

[Jarick]

Update: The stupid snail killed and ate my daughter's fish yesterday. Not having much luck in that tank the last couple months.

I was planning to get a snail for my tank but not after that. Lord knows I don't want to wake up and find that with my really beautiful wild caught betta from Thailand.

 

[itchyfingers]

This thread is like Game of Thrones, every time I get attached to a character, they get killed off.

 

[Jarick]

This thread is like Game of Thrones, every time I get attached to a character, they get killed off.

My daughter drew little grave placards for the fish yesterday

 

[Jarick]

Oh I also forgot to post about the funeral my daughter held for our first snail

 

[Byrdman]

Oh I also forgot to post about the funeral my daughter held for our first snail

Was there an execution for the charge of murder?

 

[newpedals]

Emotions are always complicated. We humans will feed stray dogs. But if one of them attacks our pet, we will stop feeding such a stray.

 

[Jarick]

Was there an execution for the charge of murder?

She made us all gather around and then read a eulogy that started out with:

"We are gathered here today to honor the life and legacy of Tango the Snail (2024 - 2025)" at which point I completely lost it

She's hilarious (at age 10)!

 

[Rock Chalk]

I’m thinking that snail didn’t kill your fish…..if that’s the second fish to die, I would be checking the water parameters. There is a few carnivorous types if snails, but they ordinarily just eat dead stuff, and they will start eating an almost dead fish laying on the bottom.

 

[Jarick]

I’m thinking that snail didn’t kill your fish…..if that’s the second fish to die, I would be checking the water parameters. There is a few carnivorous types if snails, but they ordinarily just eat dead stuff, and they will start eating an almost dead fish laying on the bottom.

I did a full water test yesterday with the API master test kit and everything looks great. We also did a full test before getting the second fish. There’s nothing in the tank that could cause physical trauma to the betta. This fish was small not a baby but not full grown so I could see the snail getting it while she was sleeping especially if hungry.

 

[Rock Chalk]

Wow.......a killer snail!......

 

[Jarick]

Wow.......a killer snail!......View attachment 41332

I know, it's scary!

Digging around Reddit it seems like most people are adamant snails will only eat dead fish, but I saw at least a dozen people who had similar issues, snails literally eating fish alive, or trapping little fish, etc.

I mean the fish was happy and healthy Saturday night, I was carpet cleaning (stupid dog) and the fish was keeping an eye on me. Sunday we were going to do a water change in the tank but I was sick so we were going to wait, and then Monday morning I didn't see the fish so dug around and there was basically half the body left.