Gatito Posted January 30, 2007 Report Share Posted January 30, 2007 Hey guys, i only have the one tank (with fish in it) now, since getting the 250L, but i'm getting another young male betta (My first CT, couldn't resist), and already have a male in my community tank, so am either going to give him a small tank all on his own, or a medium sized one with a couple of BN's and other tank mates (not many, maybe a pair of kribs). Question being: If i am going to do the small-tank-on-his-own idea, how big do you guys consider the minimum space needed for a single male betta? It's quite small, but i housed one of my males in it for a month or two, and he was pretty comfy. I know they can live in small spaces, but i will only use this tank long term if he's going to be ok. Can't remember the dimensions or capacity, so if you guys could give me your opinion of the minimum space for a male betta to live comfortably, that would be great. Then i can measure it and if it's a fair bit bigger than the average minimum, we're all set Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted January 30, 2007 Report Share Posted January 30, 2007 Mo, the Betta, says... When it comes to our homes, we aren't that picky either, but try to keep in mind that just because we can survive in just about any container, does not mean we will thrive. Of course we would LOVE to live in a nice large tank, we would even get along with most other fish if you kept us in one! But, most people purchasing us do so because we can be kept in small, itty-bitty, tiny bowls (*shivering at the thought*) To tell you the honest truth, those bowls are really too small. We can survive in them, and some of us may even like them ok but we really do enjoy swimming around. You will be amazed when you move us from those tiny bowl into even just a one gallon tank. We develop these WONDERFUL personalities, and do all sorts of silly things. I have even heard a pet store owner tell a customer once that we had to be kept in those small bowl because we couldn't swim around!! He said we would over exert ourselves!!! I had NEVER laughed so hard!!! I would say that anywhere from a 1/2 gallon container to any size up you could spare would be great for us. A nice live plant (fake if you don't have live ones) are really nice, too. I personally like to rest on mine. They also make great spots to build out nests. When it comes to putting us in a tank with other fish, keep these things in mind: We have long fins, so PLEASE don't stick us in with fin-nipping fish!! I personally get along fine with ottos, cory cats, neon tetras (although I have had a few cousins decide to make snacks of them), guppies, mollies, swordtails, & platys. It all depends on the betta you have, just try and see. There are many tanks and bowls on the market today. One thing to keep in mind is that we have a tendency to jump. It is not necessarily that we MEAN to commit suicide, we just get the urge, and jump!!! So a vented lid is a very good idea on our bowls. Otherwise you may come home to find an empty bowl! That came from http://www.siamsbestbettas.com/index.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gatito Posted January 30, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 30, 2007 Lol thanks Caryl. Of course i would love to give him lots of space, but where to put a biggish tank without it being in the spare room is a bit of an issue. I think this may be a nice excuse to go tank shopping.... hmmmmm... a nice 20something litre, with height rather than width.... *rubs hands together in an evil, shopping-mad fashion* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel1708 Posted January 30, 2007 Report Share Posted January 30, 2007 Hi! IMO a betta will be more lively and interesting if he has tank mates but he will live happily by himself in a reasonably sized tank. I think for bettas the most important thing is warm, clean water, access to air and room to swim comfortably. If you can acheive these things in a tank then I'm sure the betta would be happy. I have found Bettas to be quite intelligent fish so I believe stimulation is important. Depending on the size of your tank, a few compatable friends for him might be nice Mel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evilknieval69 Posted January 30, 2007 Report Share Posted January 30, 2007 I recently payed a visit to a fish importer just out of town and looked at their fish. I took this picture. Those containers are full of fighters temporarily (until they get sold to shops) Thats only 2 boards worth, there were another 5 or so around. Plus you can just see some little containers up the top left of the photo.... There were hundreds of them full of fighter aswel... Those were just all the males, you should seen the tanks full of females I would say get something around 30 x 30 x 30 cm for it, possibly something a little smaller..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gatito Posted January 30, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 30, 2007 Thanks Mel1708 I think i'll buy a tank that will fit on one of the smaller lounge tables, and have a think about tankmates, as the krib probably won't suit the dimensions of the tank i'm thinking of Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
farmchick Posted January 30, 2007 Report Share Posted January 30, 2007 Have you seen those "splish and Splash" tanks? Designed as a first goldfish type tank but for $50 (roughly), you get stones, a fake plant (really ugly), water conditioner, goldfish flake food, a 20 litre glass tank with plastic lid and a HOB filter. The filters are the aqua one type and are actually really good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gatito Posted January 30, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 30, 2007 Oh cool. The tank i was thinking of has height rather than width (about 30cm long, 20cm wide and 40cm high). What rough dimensions are the "Splish and Splash" tanks, where would i get one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gatito Posted January 30, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 30, 2007 He could have a few mollies for tankmates Gives me a better excuse to bring them home than "won't a molly tank look great?!!?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meesheelly Posted January 31, 2007 Report Share Posted January 31, 2007 I get around the wanting multiple fighters by getting females, who I think are still really pretty! Or you could be like Billaney who manages to keep males together, although i dont recommend trying Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpidersWeb Posted January 31, 2007 Report Share Posted January 31, 2007 You can keep the males together from birth, but as soon as you re-arrange the tank, or seperate them, they will fight to the death. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
farmchick Posted January 31, 2007 Report Share Posted January 31, 2007 Oh cool. The tank i was thinking of has height rather than width (about 30cm long, 20cm wide and 40cm high). What rough dimensions are the "Splish and Splash" tanks, where would i get one? I will measure my one tonight for you. My lfs has them. If they are the right size for you, I can get one for you and get it to you somehow?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gatito Posted January 31, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2007 I get around the wanting multiple fighters by getting females, who I think are still really pretty! Or you could be like Billaney who manages to keep males together, although i dont recommend trying Lol yeah i don't think it'd be worth the anxiety :lol: I'd probably be supervising them so much i stress them out and have the opposite effect!!! That's true SpidersWeb - I had 3 males from the same spawn together for maybe 8 months before i gave them to people - they were fine (must admit, they looked very pretty together ). Thanks farmchick - i'm going to have a look tonight but if i don't find something i like i'll let you know and get you some moolah . Would you be able to get a pic of yours as well as the dimensions? Just to give me an idea. Also, you're going to the molly hunt aren't you? If you're happy to bring it along i could get it off you there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shadowfax Posted January 31, 2007 Report Share Posted January 31, 2007 I recently payed a visit to a fish importer just out of town and looked at their fish. I took this picture. earthquake was the first word to spring to mind :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpidersWeb Posted January 31, 2007 Report Share Posted January 31, 2007 earthquake was the first word to spring to mind :lol: yey for lids :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shadowfax Posted January 31, 2007 Report Share Posted January 31, 2007 i reckon, still make abit of a mess tho :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gatito Posted January 31, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2007 Wow evil, somehow i missed your post when i checked this thread earlier....... I didn't know they used that jar system over here . Have seen them in 1.5L coke bottles sitting weighted down in a tank with holes for water to circulate, but that's it. Where was it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpidersWeb Posted January 31, 2007 Report Share Posted January 31, 2007 Some pet stores do it too. The holes for water circulation are considered a luxury sometimes. They're amazingly tolerant of water conditions, and can breathe atmospheric air, so it doesn't hurt them to be in a small container (although I'm sure its unpleasant for them). What I really hate is when people dont change the water :evil: and you can see the betta looking ill from the ammonia build up and anaerobic bacteria. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gatito Posted January 31, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2007 Yeah, some suppliers skimp on things like that because they're getting rid of them - but what about the poor fish, and their new owners? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evilknieval69 Posted January 31, 2007 Report Share Posted January 31, 2007 all the containers were on a constant drip system so the fish got constant water changes. It was highway fisheries, one of the main importers in nz i think... I got to go as my mums best friend knows the owners Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
farmchick Posted January 31, 2007 Report Share Posted January 31, 2007 Hey I didnt manage to get a photo of mine but found this link. My LFS sells them a lot cheaper than this. If my memory serves me correctly, I htink I paid about $50 for the 20 litre job. Great value considering you get the filter with it. http://www.worldofwater.co.nz/view_prod ... product=33 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gatito Posted January 31, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2007 Hey I didnt manage to get a photo of mine but found this link. My LFS sells them a lot cheaper than this. If my memory serves me correctly, I htink I paid about $50 for the 20 litre job. Great value considering you get the filter with it. http://www.worldofwater.co.nz/view_prod ... product=33 Awesome, thank you so much farmchick. I've had a look at the HFF website, and am going to call them when they open and get a price on these tanks: http://www.hollywoodfishfarm.co.nz/prod ... php?id=356 http://www.hollywoodfishfarm.co.nz/prod ... .php?id=30 http://www.hollywoodfishfarm.co.nz/prod ... .php?id=27 If there's one i like that's at a decent price, i'll pick it up tonight (then i can set it up tonigh and start the cycle). Otherwise, if no luck when i call at 10, i'll let you know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evilknieval69 Posted January 31, 2007 Report Share Posted January 31, 2007 Last time i was in aucks i went to HFF albany and picked up a 30L glass tank for $27. Very nice tanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gatito Posted January 31, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2007 That sounds good - i'll be going to Mt Roskill, i think they're a bit smaller than albany... Might go there tonight regardless - see what they've got in.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gatito Posted February 2, 2007 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2007 Lol :lol: Awesome farmchick, thanks. Just thought i'd share a laugh - opened the tank to have a look at the filter (wicked!!!), and saw the plant!!!! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: Just like you said, truly terrible.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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