School Has Begun!

People who know me know that when school starts, I am all school until next summer.  I had been teaching Pre-K for the last 5 years.  Initially, I was not too thrilled about moving to another school and my heart was pretty much set on staying in Pre-K but due to extenuating circumstances surrounding the Pre-K program in our county, I was encouraged to leave.
The new school year has begun and I am totally thrilled to be in my new school and teaching third grade again and what makes all this doubly exciting for me is that I can share my concern and love of bettas with my awesome third grade class...and awesome they are!!!!  I have discussed my plans with them about incorporating bettas into our curriculum to teach them how to properly care and learn more about bettas and the reception I receieved from my class was magnanimously positive!  Homework assignments during the first week were based on betta research and I was extremely impressed with what the students shared they had learned about bettas in their research.
About three weeks before school began, a reputable breeder, an IBC  member, posted on her Facebook page that she had young females she wanted to sell because she didn't like their pastel coloring, which was not what she was breeding for but they showed good form and would make good breeders.  She was offering to sell them at a really low price because she needed the space to spawn for more offspring (bettas can be very expensive purchased from breeders with show quality lines in their offspring).  I purchased 4 females with the possibility in mind that I would take them to use in my classroom, which cost less altogether than the shipping.  I always ask for express shipping so that the bettas are not packaged and in transit longer than they have to be and express shipping guarantees live betta arrival or the breeder will replace any DOAs, which is extremely rare when delivered by express and depending on weather conditions a breeder may only ship express or delay the shipment date (good sign of a caring breeder).
About a week before school began, I met with the principal and assistant principal and got a tour of the school and discovered to my delight that the school has a science lab and I immediately noticed 2 fish tanks and this is when I asked to incorporate bettas into my teaching and they stated that they would be very happy for me to put the aquariums to use and thus my planning how to incorporate bettas into teaching 3rd grade began.
Thursday I elicited help from a few of the bus students that had not left yet to help me bring the fish tanks up to my room and was able to begin cleaning them out.  Time seems to run out too quickly and I've not gotten as far with tank set up as I wanted to be due to meetings we had when enrichment classes began Wednesday. Since I am new to the school, I have a mentor I have been meeting with after school to help me learn all the details of policies and procedures required by school administration.  Hopefully, I will have a little more time to spend on setting up the aquariums next week.
I want to mention and make clear that I couldn't be happier with the way things turned out and will always be comforted to know that God always has a better plan and will make good any situation through my faith in Him.
Preview of next post...Why I had to separate one of the 4 females (all sisters) after about 3 days of observing them together in their new home.

DIY Aquarium Dividers

I got this great idea from a Fishlore.com forum member.  Very easy and inexpensive to make!

Ten Gallon Tank Divided Into 3 Sections

Materials Needed:
4 plastic mesh sheets (purchased at craft store) measured and cut the same width as aquarium and cut the same height measured to right under the black rim on top of aquarium.
8 plastic report cover closures to use as edging for dividers which gives the dividers a nice snug fit.  Measure and cut closures to fit the height and width of measured and cut mesh.
Place two measured and cut mesh sheets together evenly (need two mesh sheets to make one divider to make neighboring bettas not so visible-see picture below) and slide closures onto each side of both mesh sheets and this will keep both sheets from separating as well as ensuring they stay in place.

Fill the aquarium 1/2 full with treated tap water and separate dividers evenly inside aquarium (see picture below) 

Decorate to suit your taste making sure to add plenty of gravel and other decorations all the way across the bottom of each divider so a betta doesn't find a way into neighbor's section.  I also place tall plants as close as I can to the edge of divider in the back as extra precaution to keep bettas in their designated section of the tank   The filter and heater are placed in the middle section.
Finish filling aquarium with treated tap water until about 3/4 full.  
Acclimate bettas as described in Your First Betta post as well as following water changing procedures for a new tank set up.

 

Your First Betta

Hopefully, you have researched bettas and their proper care before bringing your first betta home.  Bettas are delightfully, intelligent and a joy to own; However, with any pet, the potential owner must be a responsible pet owner, meaning one who is willing to take the time to care for a pet and has taken the time to research how extensive the level of care required in order to care for your pet properly.
First and foremost, please don't buy your first betta on impulse as you will be taking advice on the best care for your betta from an uninformed, uneducated on details of betta care pet store clerk, which your betta's life will depend on and won't be much if anything at all.  I apologize for being so blunt, if you are a pet store clerk who is well educated and informed; although, it has been my personal experience with pet store clerks to have very minimal knowledge about a potential pet.  I believe if I had been sufficiently informed by someone with heart and knowledge about baby bettas, Rocky, the baby betta I tried to save would have survived.  This was my first personal experience relying on information on how to best care for a baby by a pet store clerk.  After doing my own research, I realized this person gave me the wrong information, which proved to cause an unnecessary lag in initially providing Rocky with the proper care he would have needed in order to survive.   I, personally would not be able to work in a pet store and not make an effort to change the horrible conditions bettas are kept in while waiting to be sold or die.  Honestly, I can't even look at the bettas when I'm in a pet store but I always make it a point to respectfully voice my concerns.  People are deceived about the proper care as soon as they observe bettas in a pet store.  Prior to bringing your betta home, you should have his living quarters already set up and waiting for its new occupant.  Steps to follow for providing the barest minimum care for the beginner aquarium hobbyist, yet, will ensure a healthy, happy living environment for your new betta.
Here is a list of equipment and supply must haves for housing 1 betta.  A more thorough explanation about the equipment and supplies will follow.  
____2- 5 gallon glass or acrylic tank- 2 gallon being the very minimum - If you are buying an aquarium kit please see the explanation following this list.
____Manually adjustable submersible aquarium heater     
____High quality betta pellets (I recommend Hikari but do your own research)
____Frozen blood worms (DO NOT buy freeze dried!!!)
____Water conditioner and ammonia dissolver- I recommend Seachem Prime but do your own research)
____An aquarium water filter (optional but recommended)
____Gravel
____ Small fish net
____Aquarium decorations- choose silk plants over plastic, a small dwelling for betta to hide in or seek cover and  other decor to suit your taste.

IMPORTANT FACT!!!!   NEVER, EVER USE SOAP OR ANY CLEANING CHEMICALS ON ANYTHING YOUR BETTA WILL COME INTO CONTACT WITH...USE PLAIN HOT WATER ONLY!!!!  

Rinse gravel thoroughly with plain water to remove dust and small particles. Rinse tank and all aquarium equipment and decorations with plain water before placing them in your betta's tank.  The filter cartridge that will come with your filter needs to be rinsed thoroughly with plain water to remove carbon dust.  I recommend filling your tank half way with preconditioned water before placing your decorations and then slowly add remaining water.

Follow instructions included with the heater you purchase, which needs to be established before introducing your betta to his brand new home.  I recommend setting up your tank about 3 days in advance of bringing your betta home.  If for some reason this is not an option for you, MAKE SURE you monitor water temperature often until the desired temperature is reached and consistent and then check temperature daily to ensure temperature consistency.  I prefer to keep my water  

temperature at about 80 degrees.

             

• Purchase a 2-5 gallon tank with 2 gallons being the very minimum.  Fish tank kits are usually the way to go.  DO NOT buy betta kits as the containers are much too small!!!  Make sure your 2- 5 gallon kit includes water conditioner and some type of ammonia reducer.. Aquafin brand is what most people begin with because it comes with the kit or another brand like Top Fin usually comes with the kit, depending on the brand of kit you purchase.  Use up the supplies included in the kit and in the meantime research the best and most economical products to use.  Most all brands include stress coat in the conditioner and ammonia reducer as an extra, very important needed additive for newly established fish as they will be stressed from the move and unhealthy living conditions.  You will most likely get a sample of tropical flake food, which is not suitable for optimal betta health.   A filter is always included but not necessary and you can usually purchase a 2 gallon aquarium kit that doesn't include a filter at a fairly decent price ( I will explain how to make a suitable, aesthetically pleasing sponge filter and your own aquarium decorations in a later post both of which I actually do) I personally recommend a gentle flowing filter as it reduces the frequency of water changes and reduces the amount of time spent cleaning your tank...and who wouldn't love that!!!.  PLEASE NOTE having a filter does not excuse the owner from making required partial water changes regularly or performing regular overall maintenance of your betta's aquarium, especially within the first few weeks after introducing your betta into his brand new home during the cycling period.  Ideally, and most fish experts will recommend cycling your tank for 3-4 weeks prior to adding your betta.   I have brought home 8 bettas, so far, and never cycled their tanks prior to releasing them into their tank and never had any adjustment problems...THANKFULLY!!!!  IMPORTANT FACT- YOU MUST ACCLIMATE YOUR BETTA BEFORE RELEASING HIM/HER INTO ITS NEW HOME (acclimating explained further down) If your betta appears to be healthy, he should be able to withstand the cycling stage with no problems as long as you follow proper acclimating procedures. But... if in doubt, wait out the cycling period.  Healthy bettas are sturdy and can tolerate the cycling period as do other fish species.  Please go to the website  http://www.firsttankguide.net/cycle.php for an in depth explanation and procedures for cycling your betta tank.  Extra needed equipment purchased separately to maintain the health, happiness and longevity of your new friend: appropriate sized adjustable heater to maintain a suitable and comfortable water temperature for your betta ranging between 78-82 degrees, aquarium thermometer to frequently check for water temperature stability.
• Sadly, the betta you choose is not going to be in optimal health to begin with; However, make sure your betta is alert, has bright, clear eyes, smooth, intact scales, evenly and uniformly flowing fins and remains active (as active as they can be in those horrible dirty little cups).  Your beautiful betta is now home and still in that horrible cup and you can't stand seeing him suffer any longer but..."waaait forrr it...," DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT perform the unthinkable and immediately remove your betta from that filthy, disgusting, toxic soup created from his own poop (no fault of his, of course) and fermenting food and lovingly place him in ...aahhh, sparkling clean preconditioned water you so lovingly and meticulously prepared in advance.  This act of caring, concerned compassion for your new friend could be lethal...yes, deadly.  Why?  Well, the bettas delicate, internal systems will not agree to the sudden extreme change in water temperature and water nitrite, nitrate and ammonia level differences even if the poor thing is swimming in a toxic soup of poop and fermenting food... Arrrggg!!! I know, right?...but we must keep our composure and exercise patience as responsible betta owners and do what is best for our new pet so that we will be able to enjoy him for a long while.

1. Gently pour your betta, nasty, toxic water and all into a clean, never used plastic quart sized baggie.  I always worry that if I zip it closed, the poor betta will suffocate, so I don't zip it all the way, making sure there is no obstruction in the way of needed air and float the baggie with betta, toxic soup of fish poopy and fermenting food...this agony will soon be over...YEESSSAH!!!! I use a large binder clip to clip the baggie to the inside of the aquarium to float in the sparkling, clean, preconditioned water for about 20 minutes to try and get the water temperatures as close as possible.
2. Unclip the baggie and slowly add about a 1/3 - 1/2 cup of  sparkling, clean, preconditioned aquarium water...the very same the baggie was floating in for about 20 minutes along with the soon to be released betta into the pure, sparkling, clean, preconditioned water.  Zip baggie...not all the way leaving enough of an opening for needed air (I get OCD about these types of things...and you think the betta can't wait to get out of that nasty water???...pah-leeze!!!  Now, clip the baggie back inside the aquarium and float baggie for another 15-20 minutes...aren't you just about to explode from the sweet anticipation of freeing the poor, sweet betta you saved from having to endure further forced, agonizing torture in his horrible, nasty little cup...sniff, sniff, h-h-he believed was h-h-his h-h-home!!! (crying hysterically)
3. Repeat procedures 1 and 2 one more time. This procedure is gradually diluting the harmful and toxic ammonia and nitrates created from the toxic soup of fish poop and fermenting food your betta was forced to live in that would have eventually ended his life...but you, the hero betta rescuer saved him from a slow agonizing death.  Wow!!! What a guy/gal!!!!  You should feel very proud of yourself!!!!
4. Hallelujah!!!  You did it!!!!  You patiently endured  waiting during this very critical time as a responsible betta owner...and now it's ti-i-i-ime to release your betta into the sparkling, clean preconditioned aquarium water, officially, your bettas new, happy, healthy home!!!!!  Yeah!... party time!!!!
5. Feed your betta about 3 pellets twice a day, alternating one of the feedings every other day with about 3 thawed, frozen blood worms.  A betta's belly is no bigger than their eyeball. Pellets will swell in their belly and cause them to bloat and feel uncomfortable with more than the recommended amount, so no matter how much your betta begs for more, and bettas do a  good job at begging, don't  be suckered in if you want your betta to live a healthy, longer life!  Soak the pellets for about 5 minutes in unchlorinated water prior to feeding. Frozen, thawed blood worms (research other types of frozen worms that are safe to feed and the frequency) are a must in providing the required and needed protein for your betta...not too pleasant for the owner but doable and bettas will practically do flips for you to be able to get their lips on this scrumptious delicacy, yu-u-umy..lol!  You will need to choose one day a week to fast your betta to ensure everything that goes in will come out and we all know the feeling when what goes in doesn't want to come out...a basic fact of life, right??? Pet stores will try to sell you freeze dried blood worms; However, freeze dried blood worms have very little nutritional value and will swell in your betta's belly, so stay away from freeze dried...it is  the equivalent of bad junk food for your betta. Over feeding your betta will only lead to detrimental health problems (see Betta Illnesses soon to be posted0.  Frozen thawed peas are recommended for betta constipation but how in the world can you tell if your betta is constipated??? So, I just make sure to thaw a pea or two, peel the skin off and break it up into edible betta bites and feed it to my bettas as the first feeding after their fast each week...they usually aren't quite as picky, then, and a couple of betta bite size pieces should keep everything running smoothly. On a more serious note, bettas are prone to swim bladder, serious betta constipation in which your betta will become sickly and can lead to death if not treated.  I will post a trusted betta site, soon, that will explain betta sicknesses, cures and preventions.
6. Enjoy observing, interacting and learning how intelligent and bold your betta is and strive to be the best responsible betta owner, ever, through your desire to learn all there is to know about the proper care of the wonderfully, amazing betta!!!  I cordially invite you to join in my quest to be an active voice4bettas so that these priceless jewels will gain the respect and recognition they so deserve.  Thank you for saving the precious life of a betta.  You will never cease being rewarded just by your betta's unique presence in your life as long as you do your part as a loving, caring, responsible betta owner... GUARANTEED!!!!

Will be continued!!

My 1st Girl!!

I am really wanting my posts to begin with my first post and continue on from there in ascending order...I haven't figured that out yet and it is driving me batty!!!
I bought a beautiful little girl, my 1st girl betta.  My first bettas are all males, which is what attracts people the most because of their beautiful and colorful fins, females are not quite as showy so they aren't displayed out in the open like the males.  I went to Petsmart to specifically buy a female betta and all I saw were males (I tried not to look at them as I was searching the labels for a female).  I had to ask the worker and he walked me to a section where I had been but totally overlooked the female bettas on an inside isle.  There weren't many to choose from and I kind of had an idea what I was looking for and it must have been my lucky day!  I have been thinking about breeding somewhere down the road and had one of my males in mind, Liberty, my Cambodian crown tail.  Cambodians are a light solid body color and the fin coloring is usually in pastels.  I especially like his pectoral fins which are usually not prominently noticable but Liberty's are a pretty pastel blue and if I do decide to breed I want to breed for the colored pectoral fins.  My female, Independence, Indy is similarly colored and both have iridescent coloring which is also a trait I would like to breed for (see pics)
***NOTE***  Correction:  I mistakenly named the colored fins I was fond of on my fish Liberty as dorsal fins when the fins I was actually referring to are the pectoral fins...see diagram below.

I initially named him Glory but changed it to Liberty

Liberty- His coloring is different at different angles and lighting and so is Indy's

Liberty

Liberty's pectoral fins are very noticeable here.

My Betta Family

Betta Baby

I rescued a baby betta from Petco about 4 weeks ago and he just died yesterday:(  I named him Rocky, my little fighter.  He was pretty weak when I got him; I also bought another baby plus 3 adult bettas my son, Eric , picked out that were the healthiest...all the rest were dying or dead in those little cups they keep them in.  The other baby died not 5 minutes after arriving home and I spent most of my time with Rocky trying to make sure he was eating and his water stayed warm.  The guy at the store said he would eat the pellets the older fish ate and I soon found out that was not true, so I researched to find out what betta babies eat and found out they eat microworms but it would take a few days for me to get them because I had to order them.  I finally crushed betta micro pellets and fish flakes and read that they also eat egg yolk and that is what I fed him.  He seemed to do well and then he would act weak and not eat and then come around. Once I thought he died because he was belly up and when I grabbed the container he was in he flipped back over but kept flipping on his side.  I stayed with him a long time keeping him right side up and finally I stuck his net in the container and put him in propped up by his little plant.  When I went to check on him, I knew he must have died but he was out of the net!  He seemed to be okay for a few days and then got sick again and this time he died.  I feel so sad about it and angry at the pet stores for selling these fragile little babies they know nothing about caring for.  This has to stop!  I'm forced to carry the burden of needing to rescue these bettas and feel responsible when they don't make it.  I can't even bring myself to go into pet stores just because I can't stand the sight of these poor fish suffering, no, I don't have to look but I know they are there.  Everyone needs to band together to stop these pet stores from selling bettas if they can't provide better ways of housing them and educating staff on how to properly take care of them.  Below is a picture after Rocky's last recovery and 5 days later he died.  My sweet Rocky.

Thai Betta Safe and Sound

My betta was delivered around 1:30.  He was double bagged and the box had a pink Styrofoam lining and my betta was placed inside with some shredded newspaper.  His coloring was faded out on his underside and anal fins, but once I acclimated him to the water in his quarantine tank and and fed him his coloring started to come back.  He survived the journey!  He has the fearless curiosity that I so love about bettas.  He doesn't shy away from anything new, he has to check it out.  When I cupped my hand against the inside of the aquarium for the first time, he swam through the little tunnel my hand made without hesitation.  It seems all my bettas enjoy this little exercise and it seems they don't mind being touched.  I have really enjoyed caring for them and still getting my thoughts together about how to go about addressing the pet store issue and the way they treat these amazing creatures; it just sickens me!

Thailand Betta

Still trying to figure out how to set up my blog but wanted to continue my posting.
A person in New York rescues bettas and posted a letter that she gave permission to copy and use.  The letter is to pet stores that sell bettas and I'm going to make a link to it so it can be seen here.
I bought a betta on Aquabid from Thailand!!!  Before I found out the details of the shipping arrangements I had already made the deal.  I feel bad about the betta being packaged and then sent to Atlanta to the transhipper who then repackages it to send to the buyer.  The transhipper received my betta Tuesday and mailed the betta today and I am supposed to receive the betta around 3:00 PM  tomorrow.  I pray the poor betta is ok.  The picture of the betta is on the first page of my blog.

Dedication

This blog is dedicated to providing factual and amazingly interesting information regarding the health and well being of the unique and beautiful betta splendens, aka betta, aka siamese fighting fish and to establish an awareness among as many people I can reach of the cruel, inhumane way pet stores house bettas and hopefully gain the interest of others in joining me to become a voice 4 bettas so that pet stores will be forced to house bettas in the proper, healthy conditions and if not, then put a stop to these pet stores selling bettas all together.

First and foremost, I would like to address the horrendous treatment of these amazing bettas by pet stores that sell them.  You will recognize bettas as they are slowly dying in small plastic cups floating in their own waste day in and day out normally displayed close to the entrance of a pet store and I can't bring myself to look at these poor, suffering fish desperately waiting for someone to take them home and care for them properly, as much as I admire their grace and beauty. Bettas are tropical fish and require clean water, heat and ample space to move and swim freely.  Most of the bettas on display are males due to their beautiful colors and long flowing fins.  Females lack the showy long flowing fins and for the most part a tad bit shyer.  I have inquired about how bettas are kept in the pet stores when visiting and some common comments are

• The bettas are fine.
• Bettas can only be kept singly
• Bettas are uncomfortable in larger containers because they originally come from Thailand and Singapore and lived in shallow mud puddles and rice paddies.
• Bettas don't need a lot of water because they can breathe air.

No, the bettas are not fine because of the small container and small amount of water that they are kept in is poisoning them due to highly toxic ammonia levels their own waste and uneaten food are creating.  A larger container holds more water and would at least dilute some of that ammonia.  Dirty water causes fin rot, their beautiful fins are being eaten away by bacteria that leads to death if not treated.  So, unless you happen to arrive at the same time a betta shipment comes in, the betta you purchase as a pet is already sick. 

Male bettas cannot be kept with other male bettas nor should they be kept with female bettas; However, other species of fish can be suitable tank mates for non-overly aggressive male bettas.  Some suitable tank mates are cories, khuli, dwarf, hillstream and zebra loaches, African dwarf frogs, ghost and cherry shrimp (source: bettacare101.com).  Male and female bettas must be gradually introduced when breeding for a period of 5-7 days prior to releasing the female into the breeding tank.  Normally, keeping females together in the same tank is not a problem.
Bettas are not more comfortable in small containers.  Bettas are curious and intelligent and need stimulation and space to swim.  Ideally, a betta should be housed in no less than a 5 gallon tank: However, a 2 gallon tank is the bare minimum.  Bettas are tropical fish and therefore need to live in water temperatures ranging from 78-82 degrees, which will require an aquarium heater.  A gentle flowing filter will make cleaning the tank much easier and require fewer water changes, but is not required.  Regular water changes (always use water conditioner such as Prime (recommended); tap water is deadly to aquatic creatures, yet, ok for humans...go figure!) and water testing is required in order to ensure your betta has an optimal living environment and a longer life.
Contrary to what you have been told about caring for bettas , bettas require and deserve living in a habitat conducive to their needs and if anyone cannot supply the equipment needed, do not consider having a betta for a pet that will only suffer in your care!!!  For that matter, any pet should not be considered if the needs of that particular pet cannot be met. 


Resources used for this blog:  Nippyfish.com, Bettysplendens.com, Flare Magazine created by International Bettas Congress (IBC), Better Bettas yahoo group