How to Properly Keep a Betta

[Crazygar]

I have to see a picture! I have been looking for a dark solid purple Betta for over 10 years now...

Gary

[RoHawks]

As requested...

[Crazygar]

Looks brown, but I suppose without lights... Would be awesome to see your new friend under light...

For me, the Dark Purple Betta has been my Holy Grail for Betta for over 10 years. I saw one once, and to this day,regret not buying it.

Gary

[RoHawks]

Yeah, the picture is not very accurate. His body is almost black, his pectoral and anal fins are dark purple and his tail and dorsal fins are light purple. He is very in active, always hanging out at the top against the side of the tank but he does eat. I remembered that the heater I used for this tank before is the same size as another tank I have which has an adjustable heater. So I will switch them temporally to get him up to temperature.

[Crazygar]

One day I am going to find the all Purple Betta, I saw it once, I'll see it again... eventually...

Yeah, slowly raise up the temperature and you'll have a happy and healthier fish.

Gary

[Diana]

Fish seem to like the flavor of garlic.
If you are offering dry food, or frozen food you can squish a clove of garlic and soak the food in the garlic. Then feed both the garlic and the food.
I have seen fish ignore frozen/defrosted bloodworms and eat the garlic!

Do not leave the food in the tank after it hits the floor of the tank. Most Bettas will eat from the surface, or mid water, but will not eat off the bottom of the tank.

[RoHawks]

I think he may have fin rot. He likely has had it before I got him. I it is hard to tell. He is a dark crown tail and from what I have read, fin rot causes black edges on the fins and split fins. He is also still lethargic. When I first got him I thought is was just new place, and then I move back home a little over a month ago, I thought he just needed more time to settle in. But he is always excited when I feed him. Then, last week I noticed fuzz on his anal fin, thinking it was just food particles that got stuck, I tried to very gently brush it off and one of his rays fell off. I added an almond leave and did a big water change that day. The next day I pick up some salt and added 1 tablespoon to the tank (7 gallons but I don't have it filled to the top). And have been doing lots of water changes to keep up the water quality. Today I got seachem stress guard. Is this a good treatment? I just did some looking online but have very little experience treating fish.

[Auffle]

Searchem is a pretty reliable brand, but most fish medications have a tendency to clog a Betta's tiny mouth and gills. I would use salt dips to help the fish naturally produce a bigger slime coat and sort of push the fungus off and keep it from spreading.

Here are some good instructions http://bettasplendid.weebly.com/salt-baths.html