Need help with general Betta facts

[neldon]

My wife has a birthday male Betta in a Peace Lily vase that she simply adores and is fanatical in his care and keeping. We have had him for 8 months and his behavior and habits suddenly changed this past week (today is 12/02/01).

He went from eating 5 little pellets per feeding to 1, is less active, and his colors are not as brilliant.

Where can I get some quick basic facts about Bettas, their health and keeping, and what to do if they display these particular signs?

Please e-mail to neldon@swbell.net and thank you for the help. null[/LIST]

[Alf]

I have very little experience with betta. Mine lives in a 20 gal tank with mates. How is he doing today?

[Jaypoot]

hmmm.......betta in a vase?...

i know its become a recent fad, but it isn't really wise to keep them in a vase. especially since most of the instructions that come with it, specify to feed the pellets once a week or something like that.

personally, i find that bettas hate pellets. most bettas are picky on what they eat, they're usually snobs wen it comes to food.

but back to the vase. yes. sometimes, the instructions say that the betta will eat the roots of the plant...true, i would too if i was fed only once a week. and there would be some daphnia that the betta would be able to eat, but it would be wiser to take out the plant, change the water weekly, and get some freeze-dried or live bloodworms for the poor fish to munch on.

another problem with the betta vase/peace lily combination, is that if you live in a cold area, it will usually affect the betta as well. the betta splendens is a hardy fish, able to live in harsh conditions, with assistance with its labyrinth organ. it can SURVIVE in harsh conditions such as the betta vase, but it would THRIVE in a better ecosystem such as a heated aquarium. the betta is a tropical fish, i keep mine at about 70-80 degrees farenheit.

i would highly recommend that you purchase a small 5 to 10 gallon tank, stock it with gravel, heater, decorations, etc...condition it (of course) and give your betta a new home. he will be happier, and more active, i guarantee.