Tank setup

[mdellasalla]

The temperature is dropping back to normal. It is about 83 right now. He has some of his iridescence back but he still faintly has his horizontal stripes. He seems to be kind of twitchy and darts back and forth. I hope he calms down soon.

[BettaLu&Meg]

darting? is he also scratching himself on everything he can get to? if so he has possibly and ick, velvet or external parasite/protozoan infection. but lets not rush this conclusion. Take a flash light or some sort and shine it on him and his body and take a close look at this fins and scales. see if theres white spots, a metalic powder substance not of his own color, or patches of cotony tuffs.

[mdellasalla]

No I think he is just overwhelmed by the tank size. He was overwhelmed with a 2 gal tank when I first got him, poor guy. When I first got him he didn't even know how to swim right. He looks just peachy and has most of his color back, although his fins went from green before the stress to blue now, but it is probably the angle I am viewing him from. I had an acquaintance who used to breed bettas in high school take a look at him and she thought he was fine as well.

I think the only reason he hasn't calmed down yet is that he can see his reflection in the glass better in the new tank because of where it is. Also he can see his reflection in the bottom of the tank for the first time. If the person who bred him really did keep him in a tiny container all his life, that would explain his issues with not knowing how to wiggle his butt right to get going fast or having problems with seeing himself. It is the corners that cause him to dart. I think he thinks there are two males there.

The temperature has since stabilized at 80F and he seems a lot calmer. he still has a faint suggestion of a horizontal stripe, but I trust that he will calm down soon.

[BettaLu&Meg]

what you can do, with the refection problem is place a piece of printer paper, or any other type to help make it harder to see itself in the glass.

[mdellasalla]

He seems to be doing much better. A lot of his color is back and he is eating very well. There are even tiny bubbles at the top of the water but I am not sure if that was him or not. I'll watch him closer tomorrow.

[BettaLu&Meg]

WOW he's gorgeous!!!!!!! and seems to be happy and healthy! good job

[mdellasalla]

Thanks! He is just a pet store mutt, but I was in love at first sight. With all of the research I have done, I determined the little female I have will only help his tail be more sturdy (she has more branching in her rays) and other than that maybe enhance his color a bit. She has the gene for the variegated fins too, so the half black half red will stick around. I am glad because I think it is awesome I am hoping for some beautiful babies

[BettaLu&Meg]

with that beautiful boy, i think you would!!!! keep me posted on everything you do with that stud of a betta lol

[mdellasalla]

Sure thing Oh his name is Glais. It means green in old Irish, blue in Welsh and radiance in some ye olde German. I thought it fitting

[wiccansinger]

HAHA! i finally read your setup. ^.^ big achievement for me :P anywho... your setup sounds great!