My crazy betta

[Herefishie]

My betta, Joe, cracks me up. He sleeps in this moss almost all day. He also goes down and lies by the intake at the bottom of the tank sometimes upside down. I guess that's his spa place.

[Fish Folk]

Hope he's healthy. Sometimes these actions are signs of some issues. Bettas are, unfortunately, so inbred and mass-produced, few have the genetic or nutritional care taken in raising to leave them healthy long term. Hope he's just a happy, goofy fish though! 

[Herefishie]

I am a relatively new to fish keeping. I'm sad to report that as of this morning, Joe is no longer with us. I wish I had known that that behavior might have meant he was on his way out. I feel bad. I had him for nine months and got him at Petco.

[Torrey]

On 6/2/2023 at 9:30 AM, Herefishie said:

I am a relatively new to fish keeping. I'm sad to report that as of this morning, Joe is no longer with us. I wish I had known that that behavior might have meant he was on his way out. I feel bad. I had him for nine months and got him at Petco.

You gave him a wonderful life for 9 months, that he would not have had if you hadn't brought him home.

Sadly, most fish store employees don't properly educate (because they aren't properly educated) on Betta needs.

If you are a YouTube member, watch Grianne's presentation on Betta breeding and care (very first members presentation guest!)

They have a labyrinth organ, and need a closed lid tank to maintain proper humidity for them to breathe (90% +)

They need water temperature of 78° F to 82° F, and higher if they get sick.

They prefer shallower waters, but love a good, large footprint (males need at least 18" × 18" to patrol in the wild, and apparently will claim a good 4² feet if possible)... but won't fight as much as they do in captivity.

Sisters raised together and that never lose sight of each other, can live in a happy harem for years... But if you take one out to Q/T, she generally can't ever go back in with her sisters (there are exceptions...but don't always end well).

They thrive on live diets, and can do pretty well on frozen worms, bbs, cyclops and daphnia.

They are truly carnivores, with wild specimens rarely having anything beyond bugs and insect larvae in their tummy when autopsied.

Think about what the conditions were at the store, and what the conditions were in your tank.

Where do you think, out of those 2 options, your Joe was happiest?

With you.

And he was a gift to inspire you to keep learning, and do research, and keep striving to be the best wet pet parent you can be... which is what separates aquarists from people who serially keep fish.

I'm sorry about your Joe, my Kismet and Krishna are buried together under my dracaena, so they can be together forever.

[Herefishie]

Thank you for your positive comment. I pride myself on keeping the cleanest tank I can and gave him a wide variety of food. I know it's part of fish keeping and I do believe I gave him the best life possible. I know some people will say "it's just a fish", but they are my friends.