Comments on: An update of the February variety.

By: panditty

panditty — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 06:12:00 +0000

Doesn't mean he's unhappy per se - he could be blowing bubbles but they're getting filtered away.

By: Beans

Beans — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 16:47:00 +0000

I have a 20 gallon tank actually -- Mason got it originally for lots of fish but they all died, so then I got to use it for my beta. The filter is turned on it's lowest level. I don't know if I've ever seen CJ make bubbles... does that mean she's not happy? ;_;

I have a couple plastic plants that just came with the tank, and also a stick of bamboo. I also have a little log she can hide in, only she never does. :P

By: Amanda

Amanda — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 05:23:00 +0000

Oh, yeah, I don't have a filter on my tank but that's because I only have a 2.5 gallon tank. How big is your tank anyways? If it's a small tank, don't bother with filtration - bettas breath air by going to the surface so as long as you keep your tank clean it's not really neccesary (but only if you have a smaller tank). Also filtration systems sometimes cause too much current which they won't like.

Bubble nest is when they blow a bunch of bubbles on the surface of the water in a cluster - usually in a corner, if my betta has some when I get home, I'll take a picture. The water might have foamy edges too. They also like leafy plants to make their bubbles under and also just to swim through and lie on (they lie on the leaves, it's really cute). Just be careful and make sure you get a plant that won't cut his fins.

By: Beans

Beans — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 01:38:00 +0000

Yeah I've been giving her 1/4 or 1/2 the dose, some people in the forum I'm with told me that. I also bought some aquarium salt but it conflicts with the Melafix because the Melafix needs to have the carbon taken out of the filter; yet the salt says it should have full filtration (ie. with carbon) so I haven't added any salt yet.

And what the bugger are bubble nests and how do I know if my beta is making one...? D:

By: Amanda

Amanda — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 01:36:00 +0000

Just be careful with Melafix - I've heard mixed rumours about it being bad for bettas since they're labyrinth breathers. I've also heard you need to avoid giving them a full dose. I haven't had to use it yet so I don't know for sure.

Tail biting is REALLY common and in long finned bettas - so I highly suspect that's the problem over fin rot any day.

Do you use aquarium salts? My betta makes more bubble nest when his water is treated with aquarium salt. That's the other thing, is your betta making bubble nests? That would signify that he's happy.

By: Beans

Beans — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 01:13:00 +0000

Hmm, bunny exploding rainbow blog theme...this has definite potential... *ponders*

In all of my beta googling I never actually came across information about betas biting their fins. I'll have to keep an eye on her and see what she's up to - I've been giving her Melafix or whatever it's called so either way hopefully her tail starts to get better. >_< Thanks for the info~!