A COLOSSAL IDIOT walks into a pet store....(an illustrated tail - intentional misspelling- of woe)

[xXInkedPhoenixX]

Hello all! 

No pictures today though I've been meaning to. Recently got back from a road trip and the boys were left to their own devices for 4 days. They made it through just fine. 

I think Red is steadily improving day by day. I've still yet to see him swimming mid-water or down at the bottom of his tank but he is routinely away from the sides and just below the water surface - not at the very top as he has been in the beginning of this saga. 

White is just fine as he has been. 

While I'm steadily moving towards the big migration I ran into a thought snag today. I will NOT be able to move the CPDs to the 12 gallon bookshelf project- why? Temperature conflict. I was planning on keeping the tank from 79-80 and most of my reasearch is saying 80 degrees isn't great for them. @Guppysnail do you have any insight? 

I might have to get another tank- which is something I've tried to avoid but seems inevitable. I'd considered adding the CPD to another one of my tanks but because they are egg eaters I certainly will NOT put them in with my Otos and I'm not sure how Punk, The Bolivian would take to them hanging out in the Angry Man. My other 2 tanks aren't an option either (too hot, or already stocked to limit). 

[TheSwissAquarist]

On 12/7/2022 at 4:32 PM, xXInkedPhoenixX said:

Hello all! 

No pictures today though I've been meaning to. Recently got back from a road trip and the boys were left to their own devices for 4 days. They made it through just fine. 

I think Red is steadily improving day by day. I've still yet to see him swimming mid-water or down at the bottom of his tank but he is routinely away from the sides and just below the water surface - not at the very top as he has been in the beginning of this saga. 

White is just fine as he has been. 

While I'm steadily moving towards the big migration I ran into a thought snag today. I will NOT be able to move the CPDs to the 12 gallon bookshelf project- why? Temperature conflict. I was planning on keeping the tank from 79-80 and most of my reasearch is saying 80 degrees isn't great for them. @Guppysnail do you have any insight? 

I might have to get another tank- which is something I've tried to avoid but seems inevitable. I'd considered adding the CPD to another one of my tanks but because they are egg eaters I certainly will NOT put them in with my Otos and I'm not sure how Punk, The Bolivian would take to them hanging out in the Angry Man. My other 2 tanks aren't an option either (too hot, or already stocked to limit). 

Hmm … 🤔 can’t really see a way out, apart from giving / selling the CPDs. I’m n my experience, they’ll live until the 78-80 degree bench mark and then start suffering some health issues.

Maybe trading the CODs for some Ember Tetras?

[xXInkedPhoenixX]

@TheSwissAquarist while trading and/or giving away is a good option for most people- I'm not that kind when I've taken on an animal. The Bettas and babies (like the Otos) are an exception as I would have given them away- they were not part of my resident fish plan. Now that they are (no takers for White - shockingly and Red is still handicapped so not likely to have any takers on him just based on that and the fact that he is a common full red crowntail) I will just have to consider how the plan fits now. 

What I am currently pondering is moving my Endlers and Guppies in the Flex 9 into the 12G bookshelf along with whoever survives of my white Guppy trio. Then moving the CPD into the Flex9 which is unheated but sometimes gets as high as 82 (this is only in the summer and I put a fan on the tank so it doesn't often get that high) but is usually in the 70s. GloBetta Serket is in there so theoretically that tank should be heated but it can't be because of some other residents (mostly the Hillstream).

[TheSwissAquarist]

I totally understand it if you’re very attached to your CPDs!

What are they in currently? Could you replace them with White?

[Chick-In-Of-TheSea]

On 12/7/2022 at 10:32 AM, xXInkedPhoenixX said:

I'm not sure how Punk, The Bolivian would take to them hanging out in the Angry Man

My bolivian ram is perfectly happy living with 14 tetras.  They do their thing and he does his.  The only time there is ever any conflict is when they are greedy with sinking food.  The bottom is his turf, and he lets them know.  So I try to do flakes or a mid-level food along with any sinking food I offer.

Edited December 7, 2022 by Chick-In-Of-TheSea

[xXInkedPhoenixX]

@Chick-In-Of-TheSea yes Punk is fine with his 10 Harlequins and 10 Black Neons, but he is very territorial of the bottom waters and that is where my CPD hang in their tank. So I'm not sure how he would react. 

[Chick-In-Of-TheSea]

On 12/7/2022 at 1:02 PM, xXInkedPhoenixX said:

@Chick-In-Of-TheSea yes Punk is fine with his 10 Harlequins and 10 Black Neons, but he is very territorial of the bottom waters and that is where my CPD hang in their tank. So I'm not sure how he would react. 

Hmm yeah, I would let him reign the bottom there by himself then.

[xXInkedPhoenixX]

@TheSwissAquarist that was part of the problem, I was moving the CPDs to the new tank along with White so that I could move Red into the CPD tank and therefore not having to add a tank. 

It looks like I'll need to start another tank. 

[xXInkedPhoenixX]

@TheSwissAquaristyou did give me an idea though, I might shuffle the Embers I DO have from the Flex9 to the new 12G along with the 2 remaining male Guppies in there. THEN that thank should have enough bioload space to move the CPD in there with Serket. It will get hot in there occassionally but I think most of the time they will be ok. 

I'll have to ponder on it more. 

Edited December 7, 2022 by xXInkedPhoenixX

[xXInkedPhoenixX]

MY WONDERFUL COLOSSAL BETTA FANS WE HAVE A BREAKTHROUGH!!!!

I needed a win lately and while I was doing my usual every other day water change for the Betta boys, you know what I saw? A. Fully. Recovered. Red. Crowntail. Betta!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Don't believe me that he's swimming normal? Here's a pic of him midwater just chillin':

Need more than that? How about 19 beautiful Google video seconds here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/KAfiz6FS13si4AnU8

Or if that's not enough for you, 58 seconds: https://photos.app.goo.gl/y8ZJyEmmpGSydUEs7

Yeah? Nice eh?! We did it Red!!! 

Oh yes, White is good too, but it isn't about you mister: 

Woohoo! (small dance party at @xXInkedPhoenixX's house!)

[Minanora]

🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉💚😍 woooooohooooo!

*Dances around like a durp* huzzah!

[TheSwissAquarist]

Yay!!! It’s been a real journey, and it’s great seeing him all recovered!😍

[Chick-In-Of-TheSea]

Wow!!  This is amazing!  All of your love and dedication has paid off.  He deserves a name now. 🙂

[JJenna]

On 12/7/2022 at 12:11 PM, Chick-In-Of-TheSea said:

So I try to do flakes or a mid-level food along with any sinking food I offer.

I've been wondering if there is mid-level food...what do you use? 

[JJenna]

If I had a poorly looking betta, I would want you to be their doctor and nurse them back to health! Congrats

[xXInkedPhoenixX]

On 12/12/2022 at 2:08 AM, Chick-In-Of-TheSea said:

He deserves a name now.

Red and White will get official names when they get moved into their permanent tanks. Gives me more time to contemplate. 

[Odd Duck]

FANTASTIC!!!  Excellent all the way around!

[Anjum]

On 12/11/2022 at 5:30 PM, xXInkedPhoenixX said:

MY WONDERFUL COLOSSAL BETTA FANS WE HAVE A BREAKTHROUGH!!!!

I needed a win lately and while I was doing my usual every other day water change for the Betta boys, you know what I saw? A. Fully. Recovered. Red. Crowntail. Betta!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Don't believe me that he's swimming normal? Here's a pic of him midwater just chillin':

Need more than that? How about 19 beautiful Google video seconds here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/KAfiz6FS13si4AnU8

Or if that's not enough for you, 58 seconds: https://photos.app.goo.gl/y8ZJyEmmpGSydUEs7

Yeah? Nice eh?! We did it Red!!! 

Oh yes, White is good too, but it isn't about you mister: 

Woohoo! (small dance party at @xXInkedPhoenixX's house!)

OMG that's awesome!!!!! 🥳 He heard you talking about his planned upgrade & wanted you to know he's here for it 😁

[xXInkedPhoenixX]

For Red: 

And so it begins....

 

[Chick-In-Of-TheSea]

On 12/16/2022 at 9:18 AM, xXInkedPhoenixX said:

For Red: 

And so it begins....

 

Oh my gosh, he is going to look so epic in there.

[EnderRen]

On 12/16/2022 at 9:18 AM, xXInkedPhoenixX said:

For Red: 

And so it begins....

 

The story of these bettas has been amazing! You make me want to walk right into my local petco and buy a half dead betta and save it! 😅 So happy for red, and that tank is gonna look sick!

Edited December 16, 2022 by EnderRen

[Minanora]

Your "... Solid facts about your 5 tanks..." Is going to need an updated title. 😁 Congrats on the fun new tank project! I love it already!

[TheSwissAquarist]

On 12/16/2022 at 3:18 PM, xXInkedPhoenixX said:

For Red: 

And so it begins....

 

Awww, he’s going to look great in there!

[xXInkedPhoenixX]

On 12/16/2022 at 8:13 AM, Minanora said:

Solid facts about your 5 tanks..." Is going to need an updated title. 😁 Congrats on the fun new tank project! I love it already!

Oh totally. I just haven't had time to do it yet! Hopefully this week. 

 

[xXInkedPhoenixX]

So the tank for Red is ready, heater in (though I'll probably need to get a better one. I also need to consider taking a trip to the glass or plastics store to get a bigger lid cut. Aquatop has taken to leaving a vast amount of space (read: smaller lids) so people can put HOB but this is not ideal for me. A bigger lid will prevent escapees (read: I plan to add Nerite(s) and jumpers. It will also keep humidity in for his little breathing organ. 

Though I've also used a sponge from a cycled tank there are NO readings yet to indicate cycled of course so I'm going to wait until there is. 

Red has a name but until he moves in I'll keep that to myself for now. :-) 

Here are some shots of his tank below. The tank got a black clingfilm background, a Hygger clip on 24/7 light (really like it), a Hygger Super Mini sponge filter (gonna see if this tiny sponge can handle the tank- it will only be Red and snails so it should be fine, but I have a back up). I am running his sponge with a lithium battery backed air pump. I've used new Anubias of different kinds and pulled one Anubias Nana from the old CPD tank (the one with the smallest leaves). One Java Narrow Leaf. I also pulled Ludwigia Super Red (it's at the back) from the CPD tank- it looks kind of sad but it's planted in Fluval Stratum with a black sand cap. I was going to top it with black gravel but I liked the look of the black sand so much that I left it. First time for me using it. I put some floaters (and hunted down all the duckweed and pulled it) from the CPD tank as well. I built Red a rock cave but also have a black 3D printed Betta cave coming from Etsy. I'm glad to see the dragon back in service. Can't wait to see Red resting in his mouth lol!

BTW, Red is looking really nice. Can't wait to see what he looks like under a good light. 

 

And White is still good too. :-) 

Edited December 16, 2022 by xXInkedPhoenixX
Typos suck.