Betta Fish

California Dreamin' · Aug 9, 2005

I didn't have any pets so I decided to get a betta fish in May when I came home from university.

I have a major problem with algae and I change his water often and try to keep it clean, but it's out of control. And now there's something red growing. I feel like I have failed. How will I ever be able to have children?

My friend was going to give me 2 small snails because he had a bunch of them and some moss, but I forgot them at his house, and he doesn't live locally.

Is there something I can buy? I feel very embarrassed.

OnFireforHim · Aug 10, 2005

Awww! Luckily children don't grow algae as easily ; ) Maybe try a new bowl or something for the time being. Take the old one to the pet shop and see what they recommend? I'm sure they've seen worse!

Snails are crazy! You will have 50 in a week if you get one, and I always had more algae and slime than without the snails! (aren't they supposed to eat it? lol)

Is the bowl beside a window, or sunlight? That will grow lots of algae, I think.
Until then, good luck! Oh, I love bettas! I've had two, El Fish who was blue, and passed away at a year old, and Clay, a red one who was almost two when he passed on...let me know what ya find out!

scraparcs · Aug 10, 2005

You might want to check out betta resources and see if anyone has any ideas. I never had that happen with my bettas, but I think I might have just been lucky.

I've also had two bettas: Jim, who passed on at about 8 months old, and Beazer, who is now about 18 months old and has become the company fish.

jenptcfan · Aug 10, 2005

What kind of water detoxifier (is that a word?) are you using after you fill the bowl up with new water?

California Dreamin' · Aug 10, 2005

The one they recommended.. it's called nutrafin or something i think.

anyways, his blue rocks all turned pink. it's gross.

intothestars · Aug 20, 2005

there is algea killing stuff to buy at the store.

Asylum · Aug 20, 2005

If nothing else work, try getting a small tank with a filter. We have small two gallon tanks for our Betta's and they weren't expensive either. *hugs* You haven't failed, this is just a really small set back. Once you find something that works you're gonna have a very happy fishy!

Good luck,
Asylum

intothestars · Aug 20, 2005

Asylum said:
You haven't failed,
Asylum

I agree, you can't help the water issues when it's tap except to buy extra stuff for it.

dews · Aug 21, 2005

I am not a good fish tank keeper either. Our tank water hasn't been changed in about 8 months and now we are afraid to clean it because we don't want our fish to die of shock from the clean water.

SparkyMaddie · Aug 21, 2005

we have 2 bettas and use purified water, but it has no fluoride in it.I've had the one for one year and 1 month.My other one 7 months.I never completely change their water.I just take 1/2 water out and let the refuse run out and refill it to the top with our purified water.I also don't use colored rocks just black.I feed them only one time a day.They're normal living condition is a tiny ravine of soil and water.They like their bowls a bit like those living conditions I guess only I bought big bowls because betta bowls are sad.Good luck.

dews · Aug 22, 2005

I would only change half of their water also but now we are afraid to do it because we don't want to kill the fish.

country woman · Aug 22, 2005

If I were you change the water, take half out or use bottled water, also may be get a alage eaters, and use a filter.

horseluva42792 · Sep 18, 2005

MMM....Algae
Beta's actually like eating algae, mine does all the time, leave a little in their and you have a tasty snack for your fishie!

AlaskanAngels · Sep 18, 2005

What kind of set up do you have a bowl or fish tank? we have one of the vase looking bowls with a plant in it. We have had it for months no algee!

Oh yah where does it sit? light help it grow! Is it by a window or a light that on all the time?

Good Luck to you little fish!

Truly Blessed · Sep 18, 2005

By no means am I trying to hijack this thread so I will say my opionion first.

I started with a 1 gallon bowl with bottled water and rocks. Everything was great. Then I found out a lot of information about Bettas.

I respectully disagree with "sparks_will_fly" and I am not trying to promote a different website but take a look at this. I also disagree with the link inside this link about shallow water. Research the web for more info google works great - that is how I found out a lot about them.

sparks_will_fly said:
They're normal living condition is a tiny ravine of soil and water.They like their bowls a bit like those living conditions I guess only I bought big bowls because betta bowls are sad.Good luck.

California Dreamin' · Sep 19, 2005

I stopped using the plastic starter tank that I bought... and my mom put him in a huge vase. We alternate between the vase and a cookie jar, both glass. There is no smell anymore, so the smell was from the plastic.

Teshi · Sep 28, 2005

horseluva42792 said:
MMM....Algae
Beta's actually like eating algae, mine does all the time, leave a little in their and you have a tasty snack for your fishie!

Bettas do sometimes chew on plants, but it doesn't provide the nutrients they need. They're carnivorous.

Diane_Windsor · Oct 1, 2005

Canadiancarebear,

Well, at least your beta hasn't died. I had two beta fish and they both died within two weeks.

Diane

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