Reptile & Amphibian Forums

hi, i've posted before about manny and he's doing MUCH better. he must have been really sick when i got him because now, he's so active, eating more, getting bigger, etc, since i did that maracyn-II/coppersafe regimen.... he even flares now. i'm truly addicted because now i've gotten a second one, named c-thu (cuz he's tan wit brown spots on his tail and you can actually "see through" him!)

anyway, as far as maintenance... i keep them both in 1 gallon fish bowls and condition the water before adding them, making sure water is right temp and also test for nitrate, nitrites, chlorine, alkalinity, ph, and softness.... so my water is good... i've noticed though, that on the 3rd day after the water change, nitrite levels spike... what i don't understand is my ammonia levels don't spike also... is there anything to handle the nitrites? the test strips say to add aq. salt (which i do at water changes), but even that doesn't keep them at bay.... how bad is nitrite poisoning for bettas? especially my new one cuz he's really small and looks pretty young. is it as harmful as ammonia?

How exciting about Manny.

The see through spots on c-thru may be indications of fin rot. Remember that the care they receive at the pet stores may not be ideal as well as the stress from being shipped. Keep an eye on those spots. Pics now may be helpful for comparison.

As for the nitrite spike, that is normal for the cylcing process. Nitrites as not as dangerous as ammonia, but it isn't good to have high nitrites either. The only thing you should do is change a little bit of the water every week (maybe a few cups since it's a gallon bowl). You may also want to try adding some cycle (a beneficial bacteria additive).

Do you know about the cycling process? Have I sent you the cyling article before?
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Phishie
Site Coordinator

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

no, i haven't gotten the cycling article yet... but when i say c-thu is see through, it's cuz his body is kinda transparent.... but the spots are only on his fins.... like a dalmation almost. but i guess i'll just start doing water changes more often... instead of every 5 days, i guess i'll start doing them every 3 or 4?

but one thing about c-thu... he really looks kinda scrawny... could he be stunted or maybe just young? i attached a url... hopefully it works. check him out and tell me what u think

that link didn't work so i'm gonna try it again.
Link

Oh ok. Looks like he's healthy to me. I get what you mean now.

I had a female betta that grew like crazy after I got her at the pet store. She was maybe an inch when i got her, and she died at nearly 2". Yours should grow as well. Size has nothing to do with age. He was probably just not treated right at the pet store. You can stick with your 5 day water changes, but I would change a little of it say every couple days (maybe a cup) to help the nitrites stay lower (should be 0).

Here's the link to the article:
Cycling process

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Phishie
Site Coordinator

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."