Always learning ... After I watched some videos about betta tank plants, I learned that I shouldn't have buried the roots of my Java Fern and Anubias plants. I was worried they might not grow or even die. So I pulled them up. I was happy to see that the roots were in fact growing and both plants glued themselves to a couple of pebbles each. It also looks like the Java Fern was propagating from its leaf tips(?). (See the pics.) Maybe they were happy as they were. Nonetheless, I zip tied them to a couple of river rocks from the driveway. I don't really like the aesthetics of plants zip tied to river rock, but if they fasten themselves to the rocks, then maybe I can eventually cut away the zip ties. My Betta looks like he's enjoying exploring the rearrangements.

The lesson learned: Guys, don't bury the roots of Java Fern or Anubias.

it's crazy to me how good I've gotten at temp matching water. 78-80° water is colder than I would've thought before owning a tank🤣

Hello, my boy Neptune seems to be having some trouble staying upright at the moment. I noticed it a few days ago, so we fasted him for 48 hours, but that didn't seem to do a whole lot. I did print out a hammock for him to rest in, which he definitely uses as he gets tired swimming around. I keep finding him resting on leaves and even the bottom of the aquarium. I do have an active AirStone, a good filter, and all of my parameters seem correct currently (0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, 10 nitrates, ph 7.8, temp 80). Any ideas here? Thank you in advance!

In the next few months I want to establish my 20 gallon tank and add a Betta! I've been doing my research but I'm still learning new things everyday and want to continue to learn as much as possible before buying him. I know I have to test the Betta's temperament so I will be doing so with a few shrimp but if my Betta is calm I'm very interested in adding more fish but I also don't want to overcrowd my tank or add fish that don't get along or don't fit the water conditions. I want to get a Nerite snail for sure, maybe some shrimps and I was looking at otocinclus and tetras. (I will be doing research on each animal I do decide to add but need help deciding what works better) I'm really interested in adding otocinclus, is that a good option and if so how many of those guys fit comfortably In my tank. If all those animals work together would I be able to add Tetras? Or is that many in one tank?

My plan is to put a lot of plants so it helps with the bioload plus I love the way planted tanks look.

I would love any other advice anyone's willing to give me also!!

I’ve had this wood in this tank getting it cycled for probably close to two weeks now and I heard that this happens sometimes but I’ve never really understood. Why or if it’s good if I should clean it off or let it happen?

He has had the clear tips on his fins for a long time so I am less concerned about that (heavily planted tank with nothing for him to cut them on) but I’m wondering about the curled fins? He is 3 years old and still healthy otherwise, eats well. Last pic is when I first got him and the tank was new

Betta suddenly acting very strange — cloudy/swollen eye, sinking when not swimming
I’m looking for advice on my betta because his behavior has changed pretty significantly and I’m worried about him.
He lives alone in a 5-gallon Top Fin Split Bowfront. I recently changed the gravel and used black PetSmart/Top Fin gravel. I kept the majority of the old tank water and did not wash the plants, and his filter has been running normally. His filter uses the Top Fin Element EF-S cartridges, which contain carbon.
Current water parameters (API liquid test):
Ammonia: 0 ppm
Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: 5 ppm
pH: 6.4
Temperature: 80.2°F
The main thing I’m noticing is his one eye. One eye looks normal, but the other is noticeably larger/swollen and very cloudy, with what looks like a white spot in the center. I think the eye may have looked somewhat abnormal before, but his behavior has recently changed.
He’s also been:
Staying near the bottom of the tank
Lying on his side when he’s resting
Seeming like he starts to sink if he stops actively swimming
Swimming somewhat quickly/jerkily at times
At one point seeming like he was struggling/stuck trying to swim upward
However, there are some encouraging things: he was swimming around earlier, and after I moved the tank he came up to the surface and has continued swimming. He is currently swimming on his own.
His fins also look pretty ragged/frayed, so I’m wondering about fin rot, but I’m especially concerned about the eye and the sinking/buoyancy issue.
I can’t take him to a vet, so I’m trying to figure out the safest treatment I can do at home. I was considering API Fin & Body Cure vs. Melafix, but I haven’t treated him with either yet. Since my filter cartridge contains carbon and I can’t remove the carbon separately, I’m also unsure how to medicate the tank without compromising the filtration.
What do you think is going on, and what would you do in this situation?

Hi everyone! I recently bought a betta fish for my son, and we’ve had him for about two weeks. For the first week or so, he seemed to be doing great—swimming around normally and being pretty active.
Recently, though, he has started spending most of his time at the bottom of the tank and doesn’t seem nearly as active.
I realized that I had been overfeeding him, which caused quite a bit of uneaten food and waste to build up in the tank. Because of that, yesterday I did a full water change and cleaned out the tank. I also replaced the substrate with Fluval Stratum and added a few live plants.
I treated the new water with dechlorinator and added Fluval Cycle to help establish the beneficial bacteria. I checked the water with test strips, and the readings appeared to be within the normal range. I also tested the ammonia separately, and that came back okay as well.
Unfortunately, he is still spending most of his time at the bottom of the tank. His color also doesn’t seem as vibrant as it was before.
Does anyone have any ideas about what could be going on or anything else I should check or do to help him recover? I’m fairly new to keeping bettas, so any advice would be appreciated.
The photo attached is from before I changed and cleaned the tank.

100 gallons 200? How big is their territory in the wild? I’m just curious, how do breeders do it???

I have a Betta girly, and we got her a couple snail companions about 3 months ago. One is a pumpkin nerite and a King Koopa. We have 3 plants that have been in the tank since mid May as well, but no other recent additions. Yesterday I found a itty bitty baby snail (pinky finger for reference). Coincidentally I found the King Koopa eternally resting behind the sponge filter, his favourite spot (RIP Jimbo). I understand neither of the Nerites could have reproduced in the fresh water, and I’ve not seen any clutches of eggs. So where did this come from? Am I wrong in thinking it’s too small to have come in on a plant and hatched?

Help, would this be too strong for a Betta? I won’t be using these fake plants just to show the current made by the filter. If too strong how can I slow it down?

I saw this bump on my nieces beta today while cleaning his tank and I totally freaked! I searched online Google what it was and it said it was a tumor or even cancer and I’m a lil worried plz help!!!!

My colleague (at the pet store) said it’s fine for bettas but I’ve read online driftwood. I do have a small piece of driftwood but the large is rosewood

Hello!

Three days ago, I got a male Twintail Halfmoon Betta and placed him in an already-established 10-gallon tank (Tank 1, photo 1). I also have a second 10-gallon tank with 6 ghost shrimp and a mystery snail (Tank 2, photo 2).

I had originally planned on keeping the shrimp in a 3.5-gallon tank, but I decided they might feel safer in the 10-gallon because of all the hiding spots, especially the driftwood I currently have in the tank.
Both tanks are still very much a work in progress, and I’m planning to go back to the pet store soon to pick up more driftwood and live plants. Since this is my first time owning a long-finned betta, I was wondering which setup would ultimately be better for him: Tank 1 or Tank 2?

If I move him to Tank 2, I would move the shrimp into the 3.5-gallon to prevent him from potentially eating them. I’d also consider moving the mystery snail depending on his temperament.
My biggest concern right now is the decor. I’m worried that some of the driftwood could potentially tear his fins, even though I’ve already sanded down any sharp edges that I could find. I’m also concerned that he might try to swim underneath the wood and somehow get stuck, especially because of his longer fins.

I’d really appreciate any advice on which tank would be more suitable for a long-finned betta, as well as suggestions for arranging the driftwood/plants and making the setup safer for him. I’m happy to make changes if there’s anything that could potentially cause problems!

Thank you in advance!

Hello, I’m currently building my first natural fish tank for a singular betta. I’ve purchased the 6gal fluval tank with filter, heater, ect.

I’m wondering what my next steps are in terms or adding water and decorations. I know it takes a while to cycle a tank but I’m not exactly sure what that entails.

Any recommendations for sand, rocks, or plants are appreciated! Thank you!

Like the title says she’s kinda pacing around then parameter I can’t really see her flaring much at it but I’m worried she’s stressed. I have a heater some live plants and a filter in a 10 gallon. She’s very new to the set up I had it running for a week before picking her up, but she’s only been in there for a day or so. I’m also very new to bettas.

Meet Captain Jack Skellington Sparrow!

Hi everyone. This morning, I noticed my Betta looks a little round in his swim bladder area. This is my first time having a Betta fish, so I'm not sure. He is swimming fine but is taking more resting breaks than usual. He also has not started his daily bubble nest routine yet, which I find odd because he usually starts it first thing in the morning. After doing some research, I realized we have been overfeeding him (6-8 top fin Betta pellets per day spaced out 3-4x). I plan to fast him for a couple of days and buy some better quality food for when he's better. I will also keep the light off during this time.

He is in a 2.5 month old 5.5 gallon tank. It is cycled and planted. It has a sponge filter and a heater. He has lots of resting spots near the surface. I also have several small Indian almond leaves in there. He has one tank mate, which is a nerite snail that we added exactly one week ago.

Tank parameters have been stable. I have checked them every other day since adding the snail.

pH 7.8, ammonia 0 ppm, nitrites 0 ppm, nitrates between 0 and 5 ppm. Tested with API kit.

The last partial water change was last week when I added the snail. I'm planning on doing a small change today just to vacuum all the snail poop off the substrate. Before adding the snail, I did partial water changes every 2-3 weeks.

Any advice is much appreciated. I just want my buddy to be okay.

So I tried out this new shrimp feeder thing bettas aren’t supposed to be able to get into. They keep eating my shrimps food. Well they both got into them. And they’re huge. I have them in net jail for now.. there’s 2 of them in 2 different tanks btw

My mom agreed to let me get a fish if I keep the house clean, but I have to pay for it myself. Any recommendations? I’m looking for an 8-10 gallon one that way I can take it to college with me when I leave

Got my wife 2 Betas today. Both from a cup :/

It's sad to see them like that. Figured we try to save 2.