Bettas?

Skipper2002 · 07-12-2003, 07:48 PM

Have any of you guys ever had a betta before?

Right now I have one male, but i've had others in the past. How long did yours live? Also, what did you keep them in? The pets stores here sell them in little plastic cups

and tell you they don't need much room, but I've read that they need at about 5 gallons, and AT LEAST 2 or 3 gallons. Also did you use a heater and/or a filter? How often did you change the water

Right now Flush (my fish) is in a pretty big sized bowl, and I plan to move him into a 10 or 20 gallon tank with a filter, but I was just wondering what you guys did previously or currently with yours.

Thanks

linus · 07-12-2003, 07:52 PM

i love how you named your fish flush

i should have named my chinnies.........slipper, stole and ear muff

i do not know much about fish.......the only fish i have are in the freezer or in cans........but i would love to see pictures..........and i hope someone here can answer your questions regarding your little flush

Skipper2002 · 07-12-2003, 07:56 PM

Lol, thanks Linus. I like the chinnie names

Actually my Dad helped me name him

Solarsis · 07-12-2003, 08:02 PM

I have never personally owned a betta but I have a few friends who had them. Most of them kept their betta in a larger tank with a variety of carefully chosen fish. (basically fish it would get along with) This also means they had the water heater and filters and all the kit and caboodle. I think you might be able to pull off not having a filter, however having one would most definately avoid you the hassle of changing your water completely on a regular basis.

that's as much info as I can provide. Hope it helps a bit

pamm013 · 07-12-2003, 08:42 PM

well I have had a few Bettas in my lifetime. the only time they had the heater and the filter stuff was when it was a tank that I had other fish that needed it. other wise if it was just the betta or a betta and a gold fish then we just kept them in fish bowls or a small tank and changed the water when it needed it (cant realy remember how often now.. its been a while ago) they dont need a whole lot of room.. but I couldnt imagine keeping them in a small cup like they sell them in the stores. they have had for the past few years a "new" way of keeping them. a vase (large round one) filled with water and either fish gravel.. or some kind of fancy glass/plastic beads.. a peace lilly and a betta.. if I can find a picture of one I will post it.
okay found one.. not the best picture but you get the idea
http://www.nazarenenexus.com/betta/about_bettas.htm
this site also has a ton of helpful information.. to see the picture go to the bottom of the page where it says LABYRINTH
good luck with your new fish Erin!!!!

ratlover · 07-12-2003, 09:27 PM

I had a quite a few fish when I was smaller.... I don't know much about them, but it just seemed that EVERY single fish that entered the house, just died!

We stopped after 6 fish went down the toilet.

My betta only lived a few weeks, and my brother lived a few months(believe me, a few months was the longest a fish ever lived in this house). Sorry I can't be of much help, but don't invite me over to take care of your fish!

It'll probably learn to do the back float....

pamm013 · 07-12-2003, 09:38 PM

Claire?? your brother lived a few months??? or your brothers fish lived a few months???? lol Im sure you mean your brothers fish?!?!?!

emy_k · 07-12-2003, 10:11 PM

my brother has had a betta or 2 in the past and they all seem to die. he kep his in a 20 gallon tank i think maybe a lil smaller. we had gold fish too in there. he had a filter ( i don't think it worked right though lol ) and an air pump, but i think they can live in just a fish bowl. that is if u only have one. i have heard that u should never get 2 bettas because they fight. just clean the water regularly. i don't know why they could not servive in a ragular fish bowl though.

also this is off the subject, but never get a fish from the fair. lol i won one wensday when i went to the fair and it died friday. lol poor ol marvon littleton.

pamm013 · 07-12-2003, 10:13 PM

true Emy... but thats with 2 male bettas.. they will puff up and fight with each other. and if you have 2 (in seperate bowls of course) you can put them next to each other and watch them poof up..

ratlover · 07-12-2003, 10:40 PM

Pam, yes, my brother's FISH died! lol