Here are some questions that I have answered on Yahoo! Answers, and some of my responses.
Some of the questions are very general betta-keeping questions while others are more specific.
If I'm going on vacation, what do I do with my betta?
If you will be gone for under a week, you probably don't have to worry about anything. Petstores often carry multi-day feeders that dispense food over time, and mechanical feeders are also availabe if you go out of town frequently. If you are leaving for more than a week or so, hiring a betta-sitter might be nice so that the bowl can stay clean. But since bettas can survive for two weeks without food, that it really a very small issue. If you want, feed your betta an extra pellet or two before you leave. The bigger issue is water temperature and water quality. You should invest in a heater (see more about this in here), but you might need to train your betta-sitter how to clean your bowl or tank. This is absolutely necessary if you bowl is a gallon or less.
My betta is acting weird...is it sick?
Your betta could be acting differently for a multitude of reasons. First check temperature, water quality, and general circumstance to see if anything is out of the ordinary. Then begin some research to see if your betta might be sick. I will extend a page on betta disease and first aid as I gain more information on it, so take a look at these. If you don't find the answers that you're looking for, try some of the following websites. Also try just googling your problem, and Yahoo! Answers will probably pop up with someone who has had the exact same issue with their betta. You can also try searching for images of betta diseases and see if you can find a match to identify the sickness.
Suite101: Spotting and Treating Common Betta Diseases
How does my betta sleep?
Most fish "sleep" by sitting still at the bottom or top of the water for extended periods of time. The better question really is how you can help your betta sleep. Of course in the wild, the sun goes down gradually. To simulate this, turn out lights in your betta's room gradually so that he knows it's time for sleeping! See how well you can match natural light patterns to help your betta's circadium rythym.
I know that you cannot keep a betta and another betta in the bowl or tank, but what if I keep a betta with other kinds of fish?
Most likely your betta will act aggressively towards any other fish that it is near, including other types of fish. There are only certain kinds of fish that are compatible with bettas. Learn about them here.
Can I keep two bettas in one bowl that has a clear divider?
This is a matter of opinion, but I say no. No, they cannot kill each other if divided, and yes, it is good for them to be stimulated to flare, but when a betta faces a constant threat, it will often exhaust himself and then become inactive. I have one male in a bowl that comes with a divider, and sometimes I put my female in the other side with the divider so they can flirt a little, but I don't leave it like that for long periods of time. Also, dividing an already small betta bowl in half really decreases the amount of swimming space they have, so it is best to give them as much room as possible. I've heard horror stories of dividers magically not working and fish trying to kill each other, so your best bet is to not use the divider and let the bowl be for one fish.
In the pet store they have bottled betta water. Should I be using that instead of tap water?
In general, this fancy water is pretty expensive and no better than your conditioned tap water. If your tap water is terrible in quality, however, and it's cheaper for you to buy betta water than to buy special chemicals to alter your water, by all means do so. But your betta will be just fine with the tap water.
How long will my betta live?
If you asked this of humans, the answer would be that it depends on many factors: diet, activeness, lifestyle...the same goes for bettas. It also depends on your betta's breeding (his genetics, which you will probably never know if you buy fish at a petstore). Most bettas probably live between two and three years, and keep in mind that your betta was probably about six months old when you bought him. It is definitely possible, though, for a very happy betta to live for five years. I've heard it said that one betta year is about 26 human years (yes, that's a LOT) so if an average American lives to 78 years, that's about 3 betta years. I've certainly had bettas, though, that lived for a shorter amount of time.
My male betta blew a bubble nest, but I have to clean the water now and it won't stay in the bowl. Will he blow another one?
Once a male betta has started blowing nests, he will probably continue to blow nests for the rest of this fertile life. Keep in mind that bettas live naturally in running water, so it's very common for their nests to float away eventually. They like building nests, so it's good for them to have to build new ones periodically.
How can I tell if my fish in constipated?
A betta's swim bladder is affected by digestion, and this little organ also allows fish to float right-side-up. If your fish is swimming strangely side ways or cannot seem to stay right-side-up, his swim bladder may have been affected by constipation. This is called Swim Bladder Disorder, which you can read more about through the link. Bettas may also decline food (a rare thing for them--bettas will usually stuff themselves silly). Let him fast for a few days, and if the problem does not resolve itself, something else may be wrong.
How can I tell if my betta is being too inactive or just relaxing?
Sick or depressed bettas sit in one spot for very long periods of time and will ignore food or attention. Relaxing bettas typically just hang out in a corner for a few minutes but will eventually swim about and respond to movement if you go near the bowl. Bettas will also sleep in this position for hours, so if it is nightime and your fish isn't moving too much, that's probably OK. When I turn my light on in the morning I can tell that my bettas have been in one spot for a while, but they quickly wake up and begin swimming about.
I came home and my betta's tail was all ripped up. Will it heal, and if so, will the colors be the same?
Though I had not put in anything sharp in the bowl, this happened to my male as well. Thankfully, just like our bodies heal themselves, betta's bodies repair pretty easily. Over time you will see webbing begin to appear where the rips were, as the tail is growing back. In the meantime, though, go to the First Aid page, where you will find descriptions of water additives that will speed up the process and prevent infection of the ripped areas. As the fins grow back they may have a grayish color, but they will probably gain color over time.
I heard that bettas can drown. How is this possible if they're fish?
Bettas actually breathe air, not water, with their Labyrinth organ, which lets them breathe air directly. This is why many people think that betta's don't need oxygenated water and that they can live in tiny cups. But oxegenated water is so important--the dissolved oxygen in water is filtered through your betta's gills even though he has a Labyrinth organ as well. Bettas will often swim to the surface to get air as a supplement, but if they constantly go up and down, their only air intake being from the surface, then they might be drowning. If this happens to you, check the amount of oxygen in your tank or bowl, and see if you can find a way to aerate the water.
My betta's bowl is about 68 degrees. How can I raise the temperature a little bit without a heater or turning on the heat in my house?
Lamps will often do the trick. I have a lamp near each of my bowls and the temperatures seem fine. See if you can keep a lamp near the bowl, but not directly over it--the light can be too strong for a fish. If this is a constant condition, though, I suggest getting a heater. Most people think they will be cumbersome, but they can be great. I use a Hydor 7.5 Watt Mini-Heater, a small heater which sticks to the side with a suction cup. They're safe, and you just plug it in. The difficulty with them is that they don't automatically shut off when they reach the temperature you want, so I use a typical lamp timer with mine so that it's on periodically for a few hours a day. It keeps my tanks at a steady 75, more or less, and my bettas are much happier. Learn more about a heating system in here.
I don't have any water conditioner. What if I put my betta in water that hasn't been conditioned?
Your betta will most likely die. Chlorine and other things added to our water burn the fish very easily and can cause pretty instant death. You are better to keep your betta in the water that it's in right now than to put it in water that hasn't been conditioned. Some people say that if you leave tap water out for a week or so that the chorline and other things evaporate away, but I have never tried this--I don't particularly want to take the risk.
My new betta is hiding behind his filter acting like he's stuck, but he's not. Is he in danger?
Since he's new, it would probably be a good idea to turn the filter off for a couple of days and let him get used to the rest of his new environment. Chances are he'll hide behind the filter, because as someone said, it makes a great hiding spot. If this worries you for when you turn the heater on, get him another tank ornament that he can hide in and swim through (just make sure it's not too rough). After a few days, try the filter again, and keep an eye out to see if he's really struggling against it. If he is just a little bit, he'll get used to it, but if it's a big problem, you need a different filter.
I have a betta that was in bad water and a bowl for a while, and he got fin rot. I got him a tank with a filter and a heater and a salesperson told me to treat him with Melafix, but not to turn on the filter yet. How do I cure the fin rot, and why shouldn't I use the filter yet?
Don't use the filter yet. When you use it with the Melafix, the filter will, well, filter most of it out and render it useless to your fish. Start using the filter once he's all better. For now, use the Melafix in the doses it directs and follow that exactly. A tiny bit of aquarium salt wouldn't hurt either, and make sure that temperature is around 75 or 80 F.
Some things you need to know about Melafix: it is used for regenerating fin growth AFTER fin rot; it doesn't actually kill the bacteria that cause it. That said, is the fin rot bacteria gone? This is partly why high temperature is important: it will accelerate the life cycle of the bacteria, making it easier to kill. If you're still trying to kill the fin rot bacteria, try maracin 1 & maracin 2, which are antibiotics, or tetracycline or Ampicillin. Be changing the water every day or, as I said, as the medicine directs.
You'll start seeing new fin growth soon; it'll look like webbing in between the existing parts of the fins, but it may be discolored. As time goes on, you'll see more and more color in the new growth.
Okay so my Male Betta is currently living in an unfiltered, unheated 2.5 gallon tank with a mesh covering. So, I have this heater that is about as big as a palm. Yet, it has a crack in it. Is it still safe to use? I'm asking for a new heater, but I'm also getting a large tank, but would the small heater work in the new 10 gallon tank? I know Bettas need a tempature between 79-82. If they don`t the are more prone to finrot right?
I wouldn't use the damaged heater. Chances are some of the insulation is gone and you risk electrocuting yourself. And I think I have the same heater because mine is the same size, and that heater is advertised as being for up to 5 gallon tanks. If I were you, I'd ask for a self-regulating heater for the size of a ten gallon tank. The heater I have is flawed in that it doesn't just turn off when the temperature is right; you have to watch it. So I've hooked mine up to a timer so it comes on for certain times of the day. You could try that too if your new heater doesn't regulate itself. 79-82 is the smallest temperature increment that I have ever heard of; you usually see between 70-85ish, so just be sure that it's above 70 and below 85, and everything will be fine.
Do bettas need light?
He should be in a room with plenty of natural light but shouldn't be in DIRECT sunlight. And a gentle aquarium light would be fine, but not for extended hours or through the night. Fish like the dark to sleep too! Some pet stores sell LED lights that go on aquariums, and this could work. I guess a good test is this: when you turn the light on, would it be really uncomfortable to look near the light? You don't want your fish to avoid the light.
About 2 weeks ago my female betta somehow cut herself and got cuts all over her head and body. She acted normal almost as soon she got the cuts and now you can barely see the scars where the cuts once where. She also never got any infections but I was wondering how long it will be until she is no longer vunreble to infections? And will this shorten her life span?
About your female: That can happen mysteriously, so don't beat yourself up. Just make sure there is nothing in her bowl that could cut her, like sharp ornaments, and especially beware of plastic plants. If you're going to use plants, use silk or live ones.
Anyway, it seems that she must've healed up pretty nicely, especially if she's been acting normally, which is a sign that you're right, she didn't get any infections. Those wounds will close up completely as long as you keep her healthy.
For the time being though, keep a small dose of aquarium salt in the water, which is a de-stresser and encourages scale regrowth, as well as preventing parasite disease. Also add some Melafix or something similar.
You may also try Jungle Fungus Clear, a blue tablet that can treat minor bacterial infections. Maybe but in a half or a quarter dose of that to prevent bacterial infections. (Don't use all of these at once, by the way. They're all for separate use, except for the salt, which can be put with something else.) Lastly, try some Methylene Blue. If you bought your fish at a pet store, chances are the water in the fish's cup was blue because of this medication. It can treat and prevent fungal infections. It's other use is as a sterilizer: use a dosage to wash your net, sponge, ornaments, etc, for the next couple of weeks so that your net doesn't give your betta an infection. This is especially important if you have other fish since you don't want them to get infections from the equipment. I doubt this will affect her life span as long as she will be continually treated well.
I came home and my two bettas, who are in a bowl separated by a divider, had gotten on the same side and attacked each other. One of them is all ripped up and scarred, and the other one is kind of hurt. What do I do?
The short answer is he'll probably heal, It depends how bad the wounds are. Now the first thing I'd do is get two separate bowls for them: I know they say dividers are fine, but they have two problems: (1) as you've seen, they don't always, well, work, and (2) they allow the bettas to see each other all day, which can really drain their energy since they're flaring and feeling threatened all time.
After you've separated them, give a proper dosage of aquarium salt to both of them. Chances are they both got some damage, but one just looks worse than the either. The salt is a de-stresser and also encourages fin growth. Ask an associate at a pet store what other meds they have that might encourage regrowth and open wounds: you don't want those getting infected. As time goes on, you'll see webbing begin to appear where their are now rips in his fins. They might not match the rest of his body in color, but they'll probably gain color in the future. Handle him carefully and good luck!
I have a 20 gallon tank and I wanted to have a school of female bettas in it. How many should I get?
Unlike male bettas or a mix of males and females, you can have a school of just female bettas (often referred to as a "sorority tank"), but you have to be careful how many are in the tank. I'd buy between 5 and 10, because with fewer, they'll set up a pecking order where one will become the Queen Bee and bully the others. The more you can get, the less of a problem that will be.
Is it possible to teach tricks to my betta?
Definitely; people do it all the time. A good place to learn how is on Youtube; I've seen some instructional videos on there about betta tricks (though try searching without the word "betta," but seeing other fish learn tricks probably has the same principles as teaching a betta).
I need to transport my betta on a car ride. How do I do that?
This will only work if you're driving (as in, not flying), but it is MUCH safer and more secure than a plastic bag: what I did was I bought a gallon of water in a plastic milk gallon jug. Then I conditioned the water and carefully poured my fish inside, leaving some air at the top and closing the top (I didn't try to shove him in by net; pouring him in was going to be easier getting him through that opening). Periodically I'd open the top for fresh air. Then, you have a gallon that will stand up, not tip over, and even if it did tip over, no water could come out. Label the jug so no one mistakes it for anything else! Ideally you would place the jug in a small cooler with towels around it so that it didn't move around and the temperature remained relatively constant.
What is the typical price to breed bettas?
There are a lot of factors to take into account. The first thing you think of is the price of the actual fish; they will be about four dollars if you buy them at the pet store, but they are much less likely to breed than well-bred fish from a breeder. They'll be well over twenty dollars. Then, you have to think about the facilities: you'll need at least a ten gallon tank and all of the stuff that goes along with it. At least a hundred dollars. Then, as your raising the fry (assuming that the bettas actually breed), you have to feed them tiny, special live food which has to be kept under special conditions, which will add up pricewise pretty quickly. Then you'll need bowls for every one of up to 500 baby bettas (fry) because soon enough they'll be fighting with each other. Expensive? I think yes.
How do I know when my female is ready to breed?
You'll be able to see a little white spot underneath her belly, called the ovipositor, and it will look more present than it usually is. When you put her tank near a male's, she will display bars along her body (they'll be a bit subtle; don't expect something huge) and flare. I don't advise breeding, but if you know what you're doing, go for it.
Why is my betta so active? He is always zooming around his 10 gallon filtered tank.
It's probably the result of a combination of factors: 1) he's an active fish by personality 2) he's probably younger 3) he's in a fantastic environment where he actually has the room to swim.