Betta Facts 101 – 10 Betta Facts

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There are essentially two types of aquarium lighting available – fluorescent and incandescent. While each type of lighting has its own advantages and disadvantages, experts over the years have come to favor fluorescent lighting. The reason is that although incandescent lights are cheaper, they also give off a large amount of heat.

Unless you carefully regulate the time that they are on, these lamps will heat up your fish tank quickly, hurting your efforts to control the temperature of your tank. Halogen lamps, which are one kind of incandescent lamps, tend to last longer but they also produce a great amount of heat.

In general, fluorescent lighting is more efficient and creates little heat. Also, such lights no longer give off the greenish glow found in many doctors’ offices. The lights now have more range, thanks to warm white and cool white bulbs.

You want the peak intensity of your lighting to occur at the same time each day. A great way to accomplish this is through the use of timers, which your local pet shop can help you find.
When using a fluorescent light for your plants, it’s a good idea to go with around 15 watts for a 10 gallon tank (at 10 hours, per day). Fifteen gallon tanks should run 20 watts at 10 hours/day, while 20 gallon tanks should run for 12 hours at the same wattage.

I ran across this biOrb Aquarium Kit while shopping Amazon, and even though I definitely do not need another Betta Tank, I thought I would pass it on.

Any time you see an item on Amazon that has at least 20 reviews, that is a wayyyy popular item!

A full 56 owners of this biOrb Aquarium Kit the time to chime in, and the overall rating is 4 of 5 stars!

I just think it is awesome in every way, and comes in 4, 8 and 16 gallon sizes.

Well, hope you have a great day!
Beth

P.S.
If you buy one let me know! I am jealous already.

When I see great Betta deals, I like to pass them on, so here we go …

Top selling Amazon Betta Tank Setups.

Guys, there are some REALLY great deals here…

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I really like # 16, very unique, high quality product. It has received 4 out of 5 stars from 55 Amazon customers! And comes in 4, 8 and 16 gallons.

here it is …

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Betta Tank Bio-Orb

Great accessories here …

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Check out the floating betta circular log!

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Betta Log

It received 5 out of 5 stars from all Amazon customers!

See ya soon, and Happy Bettaing.

P.S.

I am going to start adding your betta pics to my blog. If you want to show off your betta tank setups, or beautiful bettas, send pics to elizabethchristopher@bettafacts.info and I will give you full credit and share your pics with my subscribers.

Beth C.

The Siamese fighting fish, Betta splendens, not only shows right- and left-hand preferences but also has accompanying body asymmetries according to research published in a recent issue of Behavioural Brain Research.

Lead researcher Yuichi Takeuchi aimed to answer three separate questions:

• In a display of aggression, would betta fish present one side to an opponent in preference to the other side?
• Are there are differences in appearance between the left and right side of the betta fish?
• Are differences in betta body shape linked to which side the fish presented?

Bettas prove ideal fish for such experiments, as Takeuchi explains: “Betta splendens show intensive aggressive behavioural patterns” and “remarkably erect the operculum during these social situations”.

In the first phase of the experiment, Takeuchi found that when placed in a mirrored, hexagonal tank  just over half of the betta fish showed a left or right-sided preference for displays of aggressions: “lefty” bettas were more likely to present and flare their left gill cover at the mirror image of themselves, while “righty” fish would do the opposite.

In the second stage of the experiment, the researchers measured tiny differences in the body shapes of the fishes, specifically looking at the angle at which the spine met the head.  The overwhelming majority of betta fish had a slight left- or right-sided bend in their backbone.

Finally, Takeuchi compared the two sets of results and found that fish that were already identified as lefties had a subtle bend in their spine to the left while righties would most likely bend to the right, suggesting a link between body shape and left/right preference.

Takeuchi admits that the test may lead to more questions than answers, agreeing that “The reason for the relationship between behaviour laterality… and morphological asymmetry in Betta Splendens is not clear”, and that perhaps these results actually mean that it is time to “re-examine the widespread behavioural laterality in fish”.

Published: Dr Claire Inness Wednesday 19 May 2010, 2:21 pm

posted in Practical Fishkeeping at http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/content.php?sid=2839

Filed under: Betta splendens fighter fighting fish behaviour

For more great tips on Betta Fish Care check out http://www.GodzillaFish.info

So, you’re thinking about buying a Betta fish. You see them everywhere in a Betta vase, or small bowl, but is this type of Betta house conducive to long life and health? The Betta vase you got with your fish from the pet store may appear large enough for your little friend, but it is lacking three essential characteristics to make it the perfect Betta house your Neptunian buddy can be proud of.

Sad Betta Fish in Tiny Betta Vase

1 – Betta Temperature regulation

Unlike you and me, your little Betta can not simply add a sweater, or change into shorts and a t-shirt to regulate his body temperature. He also can not adjust the thermostat in his Betta house. In the case of a Betta vase, there is no means of regulating temperature. To provide your fish with the best possible chance at a long, healthy life, a heater with programmable thermostat needs to be in place.

2 – High Betta water quality

The water in a Betta vase, even when changed frequently, is not nearly as disease free and clean as that in a Betta house that has a water filtration system. Aside from filtering the water to clean it, the filter breeds good bacteria in its reservoir that help control the ammonia levels in your fish’s habitat. This keeps your finny friend comfortable and healthy, and makes water changes and tank cleanings much easier.

3 – Space

Yep, your fish can survive in his little Betta vase, but he can only thrive in a Betta house that is three or more gallons. Your fish needs more room to swim and check out his new digs. He gets much more exercise in a larger tank. His personality has room to grow, and he will live longer and stronger. I prefer five gallons at least, but a three gallon is even a huge improvement over the tiny Betta vase he is in now.

Happy Betta with Lots of Room to Grow

A Betta vase may look fine, but it is very minimal in providing your fish with a healthy environment. The perfect Betta house is at least three gallons, preferably five, and has a thermostat controlled heater and water filtration system. The three secret ingredients to keeping your fish living well beyond the industry average of six months are clean water, disease prevention and comfortable habitat, and these items cover all the bases. Provide them for your fish, and you can expect him to live as many as five or six years.

“Want to know all about Betta Tankmates, and total betta set-up and care? I have enjoyed raising healthy, happy bettas for over 20 years. Head to http://www.GodzillaFish.info for the same Betta Care Guide I use, and the only Betta Resource I recommend. See you there!”
Elizabeth Christopher

By Adam Martin-Robbins
The Orangeville Banner, Orangeville, Ontario
May 05, 2010 – 6:42 PM

Orangeville’s Lindsay Dewar has her first photography exhibit at Aardvark Music & Culture on Broadway. Five pieces from her Siren Series will be on display at the store for the next few months. Adam Martin-Robbins

Despite years of creative work, Orangeville’s Lindsay Dewar has never really felt like an artist — until now, that is.

The 25-year-old recently landed space at Aardvark Music & Culture (169 Broadway, Orangeville) to exhibit some of her photography for the very first time. Five pieces from her Siren Series will be on display at the store for the next few months.

“It kind of feels like I’m kind of an artist (now),” Dewar said.

The photos are her attempt at portraying mermaids as they were before Disney’s 1989 film, The Little Mermaid, changed people’s perspective on these mythical aquatic creatures with the head and body of a woman and the tail of a fish, she said.

“It’s about originally how mermaids were,” she said. “The series is more of a dark art series. It’s a different perception than most people are used to. … I’ve always been interested in darker story tales and lore and finding beauty wherever you can.”

Dewar’s mermaids are deadly seductresses, not cute and cuddly doe-eyed girls.

Betta Mermaid

Each piece is comprised of several different elements, which Dewar spends hours pulling together.

“It’s like a multimedia piece that’s realistic looking,” she said. “I’m a perfectionist — I have to make sure everything works.”

For one of the pieces in the series, which depicts a mermaid from the back, Dewar had to snap photos of a model, the scales and tail of her Betta fish, a waterfall as well as taking pictures at an aquarium.

She also incorporated some painting, a statute she’d made of herself and, as with many of her pieces, wrote poetry to explain the image.

“It’s a lot of different layers,” she said. “There were over 50 different elements to pull it together. That one might have taken a week.”

Dewar, who attended both Orangeville District Secondary School and Westside Secondary School, said in high school she was immersed in all sorts of creative pursuits.

“I was into drama, costume design, found art, I was even into video,” she said. “Everything that was artistic I was involved in. The costume designs in my pieces are usually something I’ve created.”

A little more than four years ago, Dewar took an introductory course in photography and discovered she had a knack for taking pictures.

“I kind of found out I had a lot of talent,” she said. “(Before that) I was one of those people who wouldn’t pick up a camera.”

Dewar later enrolled in Sheridan College, where she studied commercial photography. She now works with Tom Partlett at Eclipse Images doing wedding and special event photography.

“I do portraiture as well, but usually with a modern twist,” she said.

Partlett, who has had his work displayed at Aardvark, encouraged Dewar to approach owners Perry Joseph and Gordon Shawcross about displaying some of her pieces at the store, which regularly exhibits the work of local artists.

“For the longest time I was skeptical about putting them up,” she said. “It took five months to come in and show (Joseph) the pieces.”

When she first dropped by the store with her portfolio, Dewar tried to pitch them on displaying some of her other work. But the mermaid series piqued Joseph’s interest.

“She brought in her entire portfolio to the store one day,” Joseph recalls. “There was no question in my mind those were the most interesting (photos). … It’s really beautiful work.”

In fact, they’ve since asked Dewar if she’d be interested in putting together enough pieces for a much larger exhibition in the larger gallery at the rear of the store, he added.

Dewar certainly has lots of pieces to choose from including geishas, Zombies, a vampire series and a pirate series. And she’s not stopping there.

“I’ve got a lot on the horizon,” she said. “I think that being creative with art is a way to make people’s dreams a reality. That’s kind of what I wanted to show with my art.”

To view Dewar’s work, drop by Aardvark, or visit www.lindenphotography.ca.

Betta plant selection provides an excellent opportunity for you to improve your betta’s lifestyle. All bettas live longer and fuller lives when they co-habitate with plants as opposed to in an empty tank. The right plants release much needed oxygen, and provided much needed cover for betta fry and betta females in a betta mating tank. Let’s take a look at the top 5 choices for your betta aquarium.

Betta plant #1 – Vallis
The best possible plant for your tank is the Vallisneria spiralis. Commonly called simply Vallis, it requires little light, and can survive in pretty much any climate. Very hardy, and able to live at temperatures as low as 59 degrees, it is the perfect plant for cover, refuge and building bubble nests.

Betta plant #2 – Amazon Sword
This plant is actually native to the Amazon River basin, and is very adaptable. It has long, flat sword like leaves extending from the root cluster. Bettas love it, but it does require planting in gravel, and fertilizing. This plant does an amazing job in breeding tanks with fry and betta females.

Betta plant #3 – Java Fern
This lush, green plant can be anchored in your gravel or rocks, and reaches up to the top of your tank. It lives well in uncirculated water, and has long “arms” wave and flow with the current. They thrive in low to medium light. Java moss is a variation, but be forewarned. It can grow out of control and actually take over your betta’s swimming area.

Betta plant #4 – Hornwort
Like the Java Fern, Hornwort is long and flowing. It does not need to be anchored, but when anchored in your substrate, it provides great cover for fry and females. Put the long, vertical hornwort in the back of your betta tank, and smaller plants up front for a visually appealing aquascape.

Betta plant #5 – Foxtail
If you can imagine a deep-rust colored fox’s tail, you know this plant! Tall and wavy, it adds a color variation to all the typical green plants in a betta tank. I like to alternate it with Java ferns with shorter Amazon swords in front.

Whatever plant you decide to use in your tank, make sure it does not infringe on your betta’s space. He needs room to grow, and providing him with a controlled betta plant environment that is good for breeding and oxygen creation will extend his life extensively.

“Want to know all about Betta Plant selection and total betta set-up and care? I have enjoyed raising healthy, happy bettas for over 20 years, and I have found the perfect resource for betta owners new and old alike. Head to http://www.GodzillaFish.info for the only all-in-one betta care guide you will ever need.”

Elizabeth Christopher

Betta diseases are generally not a hazard to humans. One rare case is the acid-fast disease, or mycobacteria, which causes tuberculosis and leprosy in fish. These bacteria can also produce these diseases in humans, although treatment for humans is much more effective. They have a waxy wall around them which makes them almost impervious to treatment. Another line of defense against chemicals is the fact that they have very slow growth, which means that it takes an extended amount of time for treatment to have any effect.

Mycobacterial infections are more common among bettas of old age, whose immune system has weakened. Fish known to be old compared to their relatives, fish who are past their prime and fish raised in high temperatures are some of the most common prey for acid-fast disease. It can be diagnosed by red, bloody lesions anywhere on the body. They do not expand, nor do they disappear. They are impervious to antibiotics, and are the most resilient of all betta diseases. Once contracted, the afflicted betta should be discarded or placed in a quarantine tank until death. There are no cost-effective treatments.

To make a definitive statement that it is indeed acid-fast disease and not a similar looking symptom, a skin smear must be taken. The smear is then treated with an acid-fast staining technique laboratories use to identify this particular mycobacterial family, thus the name. The presence of red stained rods in the smear is the indication that indeed acid-fast bacteria have infected the host fish.

Since this can be contracted by humans, proper care and handling of your betta should always be employed. Washing your hands vigorously before and after any aquarium maintenance with an anti-bacterial soap is usually enough to ensure protection against contamination, but gloves can be worn to take your safety to another level.

As is true in almost all betta diseases, poor tank maintenance can help promote mycobacterial growth. Proper water temperature, salt-to-water ratio and many other factors decide how happy and healthy your betta will be, and how long she will live. In some cases betas have been known to live up to two times longer than their relatives who went to lesser quality tanks.

“Want to know all about Acid-Fast Disease, and total betta set-up and care? I have enjoyed raising healthy, happy bettas for over 20 years, and recommend only this Betta Care Guide.”
Elizabeth Christopher

Acid-Fast Disease,acid fast disease,acid fast,betta diseases

Hi guys,
Elizabeth here.
I just wanted to say thank you for reading, and let you in on a special offer that a friend of mine has made available to the readers of my blog.

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Elizabeth

P.S.
When you get the course, let me know
what you think and I will post
your input here!

ElizabethChristopher@BettaFacts.info