My betta fish and my goldfish got in a fight. The gold fish is twice as big and chewed my betta's fins. Anyone know how long it will take for them to grow back? I seperated them. Anything I can put in the water to help the fins heal fast?
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Betta fish anyone?
- Thread starter WookieeForLife
- Start date
First of all, make that separation permanent. Goldfish and bettas shouldn't be housed in the same tank. Bettas require a lot warmer water than goldfish. Bettas will enjoy temperatures around 80 fahrenheit, where goldfish do best in 70 or less, depending on how near to a real goldfish the specimen is. Do you have a heater in the tank? Usually it's better to get rid of the goldfish because it will allow a far greater variety of tank mates for the betta, as goldfish are usually best kept in a species tank anyway. Besides, goldfish actually require a tank of atleast 100 gallons to be honest. If a aquarium shop keeper is telling you differently he is either incompetent or lying to make a quick buck. The goldfish bowls are pure torture for the fish that can easily live up to twenty years and can grow more than one foot long. I know that they have been sold for those flower pots and kept in them for ages, but if a torture goes on for a long time it doesn't make it any more acceptable. Bettas however do well in smaller tank, a 10 gallon with a small internal filter and a heater will suffice if you only intend to keep the betta.
There are no miracle remedies for the fins of the betta. The best thing you can do at the moment is make sure the water is clean. Do a 50% water change with water conditioner (I recommend easy life fluid filter medium especially with injured fish) every week, make sure the temperatures don't go up and down and try to provide a broad spectrum of foods. Avoid overfeeding at all costs. If the fins start to look like they have a bacterial infection or fungus growing then medicate accordingly if you think it's worth it. If the infection gets really bad it's best to put the fish down as mass produced bettas aren't the hardiest of fish. However, if the water is clean the risk of an infection is quite small. Also it's good to point out that the medications can easily be more expensive than a new betta. Hate to say that but years in the aquarium industry tends to make one a bit cold when it comes to things like this. Best of luck for you and don't hesitate to PM if you need any more advice.
There are no miracle remedies for the fins of the betta. The best thing you can do at the moment is make sure the water is clean. Do a 50% water change with water conditioner (I recommend easy life fluid filter medium especially with injured fish) every week, make sure the temperatures don't go up and down and try to provide a broad spectrum of foods. Avoid overfeeding at all costs. If the fins start to look like they have a bacterial infection or fungus growing then medicate accordingly if you think it's worth it. If the infection gets really bad it's best to put the fish down as mass produced bettas aren't the hardiest of fish. However, if the water is clean the risk of an infection is quite small. Also it's good to point out that the medications can easily be more expensive than a new betta. Hate to say that but years in the aquarium industry tends to make one a bit cold when it comes to things like this. Best of luck for you and don't hesitate to PM if you need any more advice.
Thanks for the advice. The gold fish is in the 20 gallon tank by himself and the betta is in a vase by himself. This happened two weeks ago and the fins are coming back slowly. It just looks like he got a bad hair(fin) cut. I'm going to let it go because I am 20 miles away from the fish store. Will this be bad for the fish if I dont medicate it? For the record I feed the betta twice a day 3 pellets each feeding and i ffeed the gold fish a shake or two of the container.
If I was to release my gold fish and put the betta in the 20 gallon tank, what would be a good tank mate for the betta, and how about what is a good tank mate for the goldfish. I wanted to put a bluegill in there.
Keep the Betta in the jar, and get a some good fishes for the tank.
Betta live in the wild in a small area (similar to a big jar), because if they see another Betta (or any other fish) they will fight to the death. so a jar is pretty similar to their natural place. Plus they can breath air so no need in an air-pump, just switch 1/4 of the tanks water every week or two.
And don't worry about the fins.
Now, for the gold one just release him, you got a medium-small tank, do some justice with it and get some nice fishes/plants.
I recommend a few Clown Botia (or any kind of Botia) a Catfish or two some Tetras and a few simple plants (real ones, not plastic).
Or, my favorite, lots of simple plants and lots of freshwater shrimps. shrimps=fun!
Betta live in the wild in a small area (similar to a big jar), because if they see another Betta (or any other fish) they will fight to the death. so a jar is pretty similar to their natural place. Plus they can breath air so no need in an air-pump, just switch 1/4 of the tanks water every week or two.
And don't worry about the fins.
Now, for the gold one just release him, you got a medium-small tank, do some justice with it and get some nice fishes/plants.
I recommend a few Clown Botia (or any kind of Botia) a Catfish or two some Tetras and a few simple plants (real ones, not plastic).
Or, my favorite, lots of simple plants and lots of freshwater shrimps. shrimps=fun!
I want to go for a more natural look kinda. Would it be a bad idea to get natural fish out of a lake and put them in it like sun fish and stuff?
Yes!
Dont do it!!
Fishes from a lake will eat each other easily, plus they live in a lot more space then a 20 gallon tank. that's just going to be a big hustle for nothing.
Try looking up for some help in online forums and websites for aquariums.
Just e careful! its addictive.
Dont do it!!
Fishes from a lake will eat each other easily, plus they live in a lot more space then a 20 gallon tank. that's just going to be a big hustle for nothing.
Try looking up for some help in online forums and websites for aquariums.
Just e careful! its addictive.
So many people... and they all play bass! (*put on sunglasses*not the fish. yeahhhhhhhh 
)
My advice go with the shrimps and plants their great and easy.
Now go post a funnier pic in the funnier pic thread
.
)My advice go with the shrimps and plants their great and easy.
Now go post a funnier pic in the funnier pic thread
.
-1
Do your research on these fish first. Everyone thinks that because bettas survive the dry season in small puddles that they should live life in a small container with no moving water or sanitation. It's just not true.
Bettas should be kept in a habitat just as clean and open as any other fish. Bettas are labrynth fish...but they are still fish...they don't have lungs...they have gills. Their labrynth just augments their gills. They DO breath oxygen from the water; however, if oxygen levels are low they can suppliment with air to a certain extent. Their labrynth is no where near as devloped as a lung. it's just not as efficient as a lung. To make the animal breath via their labrynth all the time is a bit harsh, IMHO. Stuff a wash cloth in your mouth and breathe that way all the time. Fun?
Also, remember that fresh water fish absorb water (and whatever is IN the water) throught their skin (unlike saltwater fishes which actually drink water). The point is, don't think that fish only need clean water if they are going to BREATH it; they also need clean water because they LIVE IN it and absorb it.
It's a PET. Treat it like one or don't keep one. Filthy bowls and containers with no filtration are not very kind (and can breed diseases for the fish).
I had one male betta in a 30 gallon tank and he swam every inch of it! Many people under estimate the intelligence of small aquarium fish too; however, if you put this to the test you find that your betta can actually recognize you. If you are the feeder, he'll come up to you when you approach the tank but probably won't when someone else comes up. YouTube it and you'll see that some people have actually TRAINED bettas and goldfish (much like you'd train a dog)! There are vids on there of goldfish doing syncronized swimming even! How crazy is that?!
Most other fish that are not aggressive or do not have long fins will make suitable tank mates for a male betta provided that all the fish have the same water needs (temp, pH, etc.). Any aggressive or bold fish (e.g. goldfish, gouramis, etc.), especially males, are a poor tank mates for male bettas . BTW, gouramis are in the same family as bettas so they REALLY don't like to live together. Female bettas are non-aggressive and can live with most other freshwater tropical fish.
Side note: FEMALE bettas do NOT make good tank mates for male bettas except for during mating, then they should be separated again (or the male will kill the female). Leave the male with the eggs, he guards them diligently. FYI, they need thin, floating plants to breed. The male will make a pad of air bubbles under the plants and that's where the eggs are laid and fertilized. You should have a separate tank for breeding. Once the fish breed and the male begins to guard the eggs, he WILL attack and try to kill ANY aquarium animals that get on the same side of the tank as his nest! It won't matter what size they are or if they are fish, snails, whatever! BTW, the female's anus looks like a white spot. Don't treat her for ich if you see one white spot under her tail--or you'll kill her.
They'll die. I'll pretty much guarantee it. An aquarium is too small and too clean. Besides, lake fish are wild animals so putting them in an aquarium will stress them to death; they're just not accustomed to anything like that. Bet your amp they'll die.
Lots of facts here......... right now i have a airator in with the betta but not a filter. THe gold fish is on its was out. I'm going to get rid of the gold fish and let the betta in the big tank with some dull color non aggresive fish (googled it). Maybe some plants.
You could go with an Asian geotope -biotope is actually technicaly impossible with the most bettas sold in fishstores as they don't live in the nature. Some small shrimps and maybe some small danio species. Kuhlii loaches aren't out of the question either, they'd make a nice bottom cleaning crew that pick up all the leftover food.
And do get a filter and live plants. Live plants take nutrients from the water and bettas really appreciate plants that grow up to the surface and provide shelter and breeding places. And of course they make the tank look nice. The filter is very essential too. The main purpose of the filter is not only to collect trash and poop from the water, but to provide a growing place for beneficial bacteria that turn the the harmful nutrients into less toxic form. This bacteria grows actually on all surfaces of the tank, but the porous filtermaterial gives them more room to flourish and pulls in fresh food for the bacteria. Even a small amount of ammonia or nitrite can be lethal to fish, but the end product of the cycle, nitrate is way less harmful but it can be effectively reduced only with anaerobic filtration which is usually more complicated than changing water. That's one of the main reasons why the water changes are needed,to get rid of the nitrate. And as you may have guessed from that, the bacteria need oxygen too, otherwise they will die and rot and become a part of the problem. There is a new biological filter media by easy life that is inspired by live rock and may provide places for denitrifying bacteria and thus allow longer intervals between water changes, but I recommend you get used to the idea of weekly water changes. As for decorating, Google "amano tank" if you need some inspiration. Note that amanos are pretty hard to achieve, but similar things can be quite easy. Here's photo of low maintenance tank of similar size to yours.
As said, bettas can breath from the atmosphere, but they usually just use their gills. Rising nutrient levels first affect the gills as the fish tries to protect them with mucus that can effectively drown the fish if the problem lasts for a longer period of time. And of course it also weakens the fish and makes all kinds of infections more likely to occure.
And do get a filter and live plants. Live plants take nutrients from the water and bettas really appreciate plants that grow up to the surface and provide shelter and breeding places. And of course they make the tank look nice. The filter is very essential too. The main purpose of the filter is not only to collect trash and poop from the water, but to provide a growing place for beneficial bacteria that turn the the harmful nutrients into less toxic form. This bacteria grows actually on all surfaces of the tank, but the porous filtermaterial gives them more room to flourish and pulls in fresh food for the bacteria. Even a small amount of ammonia or nitrite can be lethal to fish, but the end product of the cycle, nitrate is way less harmful but it can be effectively reduced only with anaerobic filtration which is usually more complicated than changing water. That's one of the main reasons why the water changes are needed,to get rid of the nitrate. And as you may have guessed from that, the bacteria need oxygen too, otherwise they will die and rot and become a part of the problem. There is a new biological filter media by easy life that is inspired by live rock and may provide places for denitrifying bacteria and thus allow longer intervals between water changes, but I recommend you get used to the idea of weekly water changes. As for decorating, Google "amano tank" if you need some inspiration. Note that amanos are pretty hard to achieve, but similar things can be quite easy. Here's photo of low maintenance tank of similar size to yours.
As said, bettas can breath from the atmosphere, but they usually just use their gills. Rising nutrient levels first affect the gills as the fish tries to protect them with mucus that can effectively drown the fish if the problem lasts for a longer period of time. And of course it also weakens the fish and makes all kinds of infections more likely to occure.
So it seems to me like there are a bunch of people in this thread who know about fish. If I was interested in starting an aquarium of some sort, what would be a good website for me to read to explain the basics of what different types of aquariums there are and what I would need to start a simple aquarium?
I want a site that could teach someone who knows very little about aquariums everything that I need to know to begin with. I did some googling but I don't really know what I'm looking for.
I want a site that could teach someone who knows very little about aquariums everything that I need to know to begin with. I did some googling but I don't really know what I'm looking for.
I'm not too aware of english sites, so my first recommendation would be to go to a library and check out all the books you can find on the subject. Just note that especially older books often have quite ridiculous space requirements for fish and some of the data is outdated, though it happens on some newer books too. But after a quick google I found two pages that make a good reading and help to understand the way an aquarium works. One of them covers the nitrogen cycle and can be found here Link Removed and one of them is more overall and can be found here http://animal-world.com/encyclo/fresh/information/freshwater.htm The latter one seems to contain some ads, sorry about that.
Some descriptions of most common fish and plants can be found at Invalid Link Removed But I have to mention that personally I disagree with some information given on this site. A lot of it is good, but I wouldn't trust it as absolute truth. The space requirements are well off in many cases.
These cover mostly freshwater aquariums which is a more natural choice for beginners as it's a lot less expensive and in some means more forgiving. If you ever think about taking the plunge to the deep end of the pool, reefcentral.com will have all the answers. But reef aquariums aren't cheap at all. Actually, a 100 gallon reef tank can easily cost as much as a Fodera bass if it's taken to perfection. And the electricity bill can compare to keeping a hummer fueled.
And then some pointers: it's always better to understock than to overstock. The most common reason for having problems with aquariums is usually having too much fish in too small tank. Understocking will result in healthy fish with normal behaviour, overstocking will result in excessive maintenance, diseases and loss of territorial behaviour (or just an all out war).
Overfeeding is the next most common mistake. Many cans of fishfood say that give as much food as fish will eat in a few minutes a couple times a day. I'd make it give as much food as fish will eat in twenty seconds and a minute or two for bottom feeders depending on the species.
And always get as big of tank as you can afford and fit. Larger tanks are more forgiving, allow way more species and are usually easier to maintain. I wouldn't recommend anything below 20 gallons for a beginner, around 40 g or bigger would be a safer bet. Smaller tanks are a lot more sensitive and quick and possibly lethal changes in water parameters are more likely to happen.
Also avoid all calculations like so many gallons can hold so many inches of fish. That stuff should've died in the '80's and can lead to a disaster. With small and peaceful community fish it might work, but if you consider anything larger or predatory those calculations go straight out the window. The real space requirements are determined by the swimming patterns, habits and diet of fish.
The compatibility of differend kinds of fish is a hard subject. The pH, temperature and Gh are the first things to take into consideration but after that there is still the questions of attitudes of differend fish, the level of aggression and wether they are predatory or not and so on. In the beginning, your best bet is either to copy a well known working combination of fish or to ask for help.
I know my english sucks, but as a professional aquarist and a bassplayer I'll be happy to answer any question if you have them. Mind you that my freshwater knowledge might be a bit rusty on some subjects.
I might get a crawfish. Them things are cool and since they are bottom feeders they eat everything.
HUH?! English sounds a lot better than most people I talk to! Don't sweat it!
Otherwise this is all great info. Is that your tank that you posted a pic of?
Otherwise this is all great info. Is that your tank that you posted a pic of?
Our beta has been living in the water plant bowl for two years now. I drop in a few beta food bite every once in a while and add clean water every so often. The cats drink out of it pretty often, so that while comes around a lot.
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