Anyone of you have betta fish? I might have one or two..

[blackfang]

In my biology lab, I will HAVE to experiment on betta fish. No, it isn’t involved killing fish or do something horrible to them. All I will do is to observe their reactions after they look at mirrors and tap on glass fish tank to see if betta fish will move away or not.

The purpose of this experiment is to understand how to observe the animal’s behaviors. I know it is bothering betta fish with people starring at them or something like that. I don’t support it but I have no choice.

It made me think that what lab instructors will do with these betta fish after the experiemnt will be done. I emailed one of my lab instrutor about if she will give away some of the betta fish before they will kill fish or dont give them proper care until next year for another expeiments.

If my lab instructor allow me get one or two. Then I want to prepare to get fish tank and several supplies in tank to keep fish busy like plants and decorate like houses or whatever. I know betta fish is trophic fish so I will get heater to keep fish warm.

I’ll have larger tank than typical small tank for betta fish. Betta fish need big space for exercise. I just dont like to waste tons of water for one fish to swim around. I also will get several fish that CAN get along with betta fish but I have no idea which fish can get along.

I researched on how to take care of betta fish before but I’ll need to refresh my mind.

Share your experiences or tips for taking care of betta fish.

(If betta fish cannot get along with any fish then I’ll get 5 gal tank. That’s minmum size for one betta fish to get enough exercise, I think)

 

[ScooterandAnnette]

I have no idea what to suggest. I had a betta in a tank with other fish once. The more aggressive fish (like angel fish) will fight with it, and anything with largish fins (even fancy guppies) became targets for the betta.

– Annette

[blackfang]

Your betta fish fought with other fish? If not, what fish was it?

[Sonn]

I have a few Bettas mostly males but a few females. My females could care less about tankmates they are housed in a community tank with neon tetras and a pair of dwarf gourami’s.

My males on the other hand vary my oldest one hates any other fish he lives with a few apple snails and a pleco and that is it.

One of my other one’s will only get along with fish smaller than him I mostly have to watch for other fish picking on him.

And the two youngest can live with any other fish as long as they don’t have long fins like zebra danio’s, platy’s etc.

My two youngest are in 50 gallon tanks just because the danios need a ton of swimming room.
The rest are in nothing smaller than a 10 gallon tank.

It varies between fish some will get along with all fish some will be picky and some will not tolerate other fish ever.

My advice is to make sure your tank is thoroughly cycled before putting fish in the tank(s). And to have an extra tank setup just in case your betta(s) do not get along with the other fish. And not to house Betta’s together ever.

[Michelle&Lolli]

I had 2 beta fish and they were kept in separate bowls because everything I read online said that 2 males would fight.

[LBJ10]

From what I understand, a gigantic tank is not necessary for bettas (although I don’t think those teeny tiny bowls are appropriate). In the wild, they like to maintain a small little territory that they want to defend. They usually will center it around a rock or a plant that they can hide in. So if you’re putting them into a large community tank, make sure they have something like this that they can hang around. They typically get along with other fish as long as the other fish aren’t aggressive. One betta I had in a tank got picked on by the other fish, so you have to make sure to choose the right fish. I have heard that bettas can actually be trained to do simple “tricks” for food and they have been studied a lot in animal behavior experiments.

[bunnytowne]

Betas come from rice patties in china.   Shallow water area    The will fight with any other male beta.   This must be why they attack other type fish with big fins.

They sometimes kill the female betas too.    I had a female b4.  She was cool.   I would go to feed her and she would leap out of the water and take food from my fingers.   I never seen anything like that b4.

I have had several males.   I found out hot to put the bowl or tank full of water.  Leave an about 2 inches from the top.   One of my betas jumped out of the bowl and died.   So I learned not to overfill the bowl for the 2nd one tried to do the same thing but I was watching him when he jumped out.  I was able to put him right back in and drain some of the water out.

They don’t really need tank equipment like aeriators n such.   I have seen them at DR. offices swimming in a flower vase with a water plant in it.

As far as your experiment I would think if they saw themselves in the mirror they would try to attack it.  I am curious to see if they swim away or try to fight it.  

They are also called chinese fighting fish for a reason

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

My first Beta!!! I’m doing things-I hope-properly. I have a heater, and an over filtered three stage filter, ten gallon. I also have an overplanted tank as it quickly became apparent that he LOVES plants. So there are 10 plants in there now (Two died) -two are very cool and recent, they are red -so I have to feed them an iron supplement.

 

I just love him-I was worried when I first brought him home-he hid for almost a week (Very glad I bought him a big hidey lantern thing) but now he’s very friendly and follows my finger. Lame I know…but I’m going to try to do some training with him! 

 

His name is SamIAm (Like Dr. Suess….red rish, blue fish, one fish two fish…hehehe)

My tank

 

My little dude

 

 

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Whoops and I missed the bit about what they do after the experiement. It depends on laws, but it likely won’t be up to your instructor. In Canada the animal rights laws are strict about it, and no matter how good the home is the animal needs to be euthanized humanely when done. I had a very frustrated instructor explain laws with us, as he has to euthanize fish and lizards he uses (Behavioral research as well, threat displays actually)-and can’t keep them. You can use them for further testing, but all must be euthanized… So sadly-maybe don’t get your hopes up, maybe rescue one from a store?

[Michelle&Lolli]

My betas actually freaked me out some. I didn’t know that they reacted to their surroundings. For the longest time, they were tracking my movements around meal time but I kept thinking it was just in my head until I read up on them. lol

[Sonn]

K&K I love your Betta tank! Most people don’t realize that Bettas need heaters, filters and mental stimulation. I remember my first Betta the pet store tried to sell me a vase with a bamboo stick in it saying that was all he needed…

I kind of overdo it with my fish a long time ago I had 1 “fancy” goldfish in a 90 gallon tank lol. But so far other than my disaster with my cousin and the chemicals my fish have lived quite long lives.

[blackfang]

My professor emailed me that she will let me adopt one or several betta fish after this summer. So that means I’ll get one or two betta fish in this fall session.

I’ll prepare to research more on betta fish and finding good price for tank(s). I found 20 gal tank for 40 dollars from Craigslist website but will look for cheaper price. (I’m not poor but I just want to get cheaper price)

K&K – Sound like Canada isn’t friendly-country for animals..

My roommate won’t allow me to adopt one more rabbit or 3 rats or gerbils or whatever “fur” animals because we have so many animals in apartment. 4 “fur” pets aren’t many in my opinion. lol

I told my roommate about adopting fish and he didn’t care as long fish dont have fur or whatever.

[Monkeybun]

Canada is fine for animals, it’s a legal thing that won’t allow them to be given away after experiments. Who knows what could happen to animals during experiments, mental stress, physical stress, are they being fed to anything, etc. It’s usually better for the animal to be euthanised than end up dinner or living in who knows what kind of conditions.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

That’s great news!
I’m with Monkey-the intent isn’t to be un animal friendly. It’s actually to protect people’s health and ensure that they are treated humanely. She explained it very well. It’s sad but there is a reason.

I’m glad you will be able to adopt the fish though! They are fun to have and easy to keep. As others have said, gigantic tank not necessary but they should not be kept in betta bowls, nor should their bowl be unfiltered or unheated. They need the tank to be minimum around 75f or 24C-they can get stressed and sick if they are cold, and even though I keep my house very warm my fish still needed a heater. They need filters-just like any other fish.
It’s like rabbits, how a pet store employee will sell you a cage when they just aren’t big enough or adequate to properly house a bunny. They do it with Bettas too and will assure you that they live in small rice patties and should be in a small bowl with no filter or heat. If you read online, you can find that it is a myth and they do need regular care just like other fish! But they are hardy and easy to care for

I’ve been extensively reading about tankmates as I would like him to have a friend or two if possible- and the only that I can see that can get along (not bug the betta, not get bugged by the betta) are platties that aren’t too fancy.

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