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About Brit Brit
Expertise
I can answer your questions about Bettas, most Freshwater Tropical Fish, compatibility between tropical freshwater fish, tips on how to set up a new aquarium, what fish to add, what temperature your tank should be at, etc. I can answer questions about goldfish, and I know a bit about aquarium plants. I can't answer questions concerning anything marine, and I know next to nothing about ponds, and even less about Cichlid breeding. So please don't ask. If I am not sure about something, I will try to research it for you and get back to you very quickly. I cannot magically cure your fish over the web, unfortunately, so please remember your fish's health depends solely on you. Also, don't expect a detailed answer if I have not been given a detailed question. I can only do so much! Details, details, details!! (It does state what I need on the Ask A Question Page)

Experience
I take care of over 3000 fish daily. I worked at Petsmart for a few years, and have had training in many areas, including aquaria and all the basics to keep fish happy and healthy. I met quite a few experts in the hobby and have learned a lot from them, and they have learned a lot from me :) Also, I have done a lot of research and studying on my own time about not just fish but a lot of different house pets because I like to help people and help their pets.

Education/Credentials
Petsmart training Adult Diploma

You are here: Experts > Animals/Pets > Pet Fish > Fish > betta

Topic: Fish

Expert: Brit Brit
Date: 5/14/2008
Subject: betta

Question
QUESTION: I am a first time fish owner, and am finding it to be difficult to understand my betta. He had dropsy about two months ago, and I was successfuly able to cure it. Confused, because all the research I did said that he would die. He's doing great except for one thing, he no longer makes bubbles. Do they only make bubbles part of the year?? Little background, he's a year old, I have him in a 2 1/2 gal tank, use water conditioner,use only spring water, keep the house between 75-80. After "bubba" got sick, I took his gravel out and bought a new tank. Now he just has water in the tank. I clean out his poop daily and do a full water change about once a week. Cleaning out the poop doesn't seem to upset him. Thank u so much for your help.

ANSWER: Hello Rebecca,
While it is not necessary for a male to build a bubble nest for him to be healthy, it could be a sign of a issue (stress0 when he used to build bubble nests.
Daily cleaning is more trouble than it's worth, and will stress out your fish. I would replace the gravel, and just go back to a weekly water change. But instead of taking him out, dumping out all the water and then rinsing the gravel, buy a small five dollar gravel vaccuum and suction out the water and crud from the gravel once a week. You only need to take out about 75 percent when doing this method. That way, less stress for your fish (because you don't have to constantly be moving and cleaning his tank - trust me it does stress them out), and easy cleaning for you. Plus - leaving some water in there with the gravel will eventually grow a small amount of beneficial bacteria that will aid in keeping his tank toxic-free.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you so much for your help. Just out of curiosity, do betta's have a mating season like dogs and cats? I'm also wondering why all the websites and aquarium "experts" in fish stores told me mine would die after confirming he had dropsy. How unusual is it for a fish to pull through? Last ? I forgot to ask yesterday. Should I buy him a larger tank and put a heater in it? Heard you should only buy a heater w/ 5 gal tank or more?? I ask because the temp in the house does fluxuate, and I've heard that stresses betta's out. Thank you again for your help and quick response to my email. Rebecca

Answer
Hello again Rebecca,
Those are all very good questions. For starters, while most fish do have spawning seasons - usually more to do with temperature actually - you can breed bettas at any time, as long as you know how. Basically, both the male and the female have to respond to each other in ways that show they are compatible and are ready to spawn, and then you can place them together and breed them. You can check out details on a betta breeding website.
Dropsy is a fatal condition, that until recently was very hard to cure. Tetracycline tends to work very well for dropsy however, and as long as the fish isn't too far along and you treat properly, they can definitely recover. But yes, it is more often than not fatal.
As far as heaters go, you can indeed get a small heater for a small tank (hint - sometimes bulbs that produce heat work just as well for a one gallon tank, but you must keep the room warm at night as well). Just make sure you don't get a heater that is too powerful for such a small amount of water, and definitely keep a thermometer in/on the tank so you can keep a good eye on the actual temperature of the water.
Fluctuation and sudden changes/drops in temperature can be very stressful to any fish - not just the betta. It is a superb idea to have a heater in a smaller tank since small bodies of water change temperature much quicker than large bodies of water - and don't hold heat as well either.

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