Chat transcripts

[6:03:17:] <craig> Good evening everyone! Welcome to Live! Fishchat!
[6:03:52:] <craig> Tonights speaker is Chris (Chris J) and he will be chatting on the subject of Proper Betta Care and Upkeep.
[6:04:05:] <craig> As is usual, please hold your questions until after the presentation.
[6:04:13:] <craig> Chris, being when ever you are ready.
[6:04:22:] <Chris> Thanks craig.
[6:04:37:] <Chris> Let me first talk about how bettas are miskept.
[6:05:34:] <Chris> Many of you know that the LFS, LPS, or local retail stores with fish dept.'s have bettas in little cups
[6:06:08:] <Chris> Either with or without Methlylene Blue, which is used to prevent disease.
[6:06:32:] <Chris> And you see that if you shake the cups, bits of "stuff" come up.
[6:06:40:] <Chris> This is NOT how it should be.
[6:07:11:] <Chris> THe betta males should be in tanks that have adequate filtration, but the current should not be too strong.
[6:07:47:] <Chris> The best filter type is that of the Internal, power, or external filters.
[6:08:09:] <Chris> But of course, they should be on the minimum setting for flow rate.
[6:08:38:] <Chris> Also, many people think that since they live in such small cups, that they should stay in small containers.
[6:09:04:] <Chris> This is false. They should have at least a 2 gallon tank, with adequate filtration.
[6:09:30:] <Chris> In other words, anything higher than a 2g, is acceptable.
[6:10:30:] <Chris> But this is not always done. Some people keep the poor fishies in a jam jar, or worse: in a vase that has a lily plant on the top.
[6:10:58:] <Chris> THis is the worst position, in an enclosed system, besides a puddle in a swamp.
[6:12:24:] <Chris> now, back onto track. Besides good slow current/filtration, and a big enough tank, They should have teh best food available, and a mix of the wide variety available.
[6:13:56:] <Chris> But each betta has a personality. For example, my betta that I have in a 1 gallon tank (soon to change though...) would not eat anything when I got him. But when I bot frozen white mosquito larvae, he ate them with a vengeance. lol
[6:14:33:] <Chris> Now, onto the environment of the tank. In other terms, the aquascape.
[6:15:26:] <Chris> If you are going for the betta's native environment, do ALOT of research, and see what filtration is best for that biotope.
[6:15:50:] <Chris> But if you are not, then you can have anything in there, WITH exceptions.
[6:16:58:] <Chris> Some exceptions are: Some plastic plants, jagged rocks, and anything that is pointy. THis is
because the pointy ends will rip the elaborate fins of the male fins.
[6:17:50:] <Chris> Uhm, let's see....Filtration, Tank size, aquascape, what am I missing....
[6:18:55:] <Chris> I think that is it folks. That has to be the shortest chat in history lol
[6:19:17:] <Chris> Oh, and some points to add.
[6:19:55:] <Chris> Teh average betta lives for about 2-4 years. Try to keep the betta alive for its full life.
[6:21:06:] <craig> While Chris is finishing up... If you have any questions, please type: /query craig I have a question
[6:21:23:] <craig> Go ahead Adam.
[6:21:30:] <Chris> Bettas are carnivores, but they will eat shelled peas for constipation. So try to keep their diet on a meaty side
[6:22:57:] <milk> oop
[6:22:57:] <milk> sorry
[6:23:04:] <milk> Chris, thanks for your chat!!
[6:23:05:] <Chris> That's ok. lol
[6:23:15:] <milk> Remember, save a life... put a betta in a big tank.. hehe
[6:23:16:] <milk> anyway
[6:23:26:] <Chris> The pleasure was mine, even tho I was an hour late
[6:23:29:] <milk> Whats your thoughts on bettas in community tanks?
[6:23:38:] <milk> no.. you were right on time!
[6:23:50:] <Chris> I knew I forgot something! lol.
[6:24:32:] <Chris> You can keep them in community tanks, but keep them away from any fin-nipping fish, such as barbs, and some tetras, if I am correct?
[6:25:16:] <Chris> Anymore questions?
[6:25:31:] <craig> Heather, ask away..
[6:25:56:] <Hoots> I have to admit I'm one of the folks who thinks of betta's as a walmart fish or a decorative desk top fish....(more)
[6:27:19:] <Hoots> I've given them as gifts and never thought of what type of water they really need to thrive, now that i've had one in a community set up, with other fish in a higher range pH, I'm wondering is my water alright? What parameters of pH and such do betta's prefer?
[6:28:54:] <Chris> How high is the pH? From my sources, the pH should be from a 6.8 - 7.4
[6:29:28:] <Hoots> our pH here is 8.2
[6:30:13:] <Chris> Wow! Uhm, if the betta is not showing any signs of distress or stress, then I guess it is ok.
[6:30:16:] <Chris> brb.
[6:30:50:] <Chris> Back on.
[6:30:57:] <craig> Adam.. :-)
[6:31:29:] <craig> After Adam is done, I'll be opening the floor for the free for all.
[6:31:57:] <Milk> lets try that again
[6:32:02:] <Milk> Chris,
[6:32:09:] <Chris> yes?
[6:32:11:] <Chris> lol
[6:32:18:] <Milk> have you ever seen/kept anything other than betta splendifera?
[6:32:22:] <Milk> <sp?>
[6:32:40:] <craig> Oops..
[6:32:43:] <Milk> I offended him!
[6:32:47:] <Jessica> lol
[6:32:57:] <Chris> Stupid windows.
[6:32:59:] <Milk> I didn't mean to offend you chris!
[6:32:59:] <Milk> hehe
[6:33:09:] <Milk> did you see my question?
[6:33:11:] <Chris> no, just my stupid comp.
[6:33:20:] <Chris> I think I did. Can you repeat the ?
[6:33:27:] <Milk> have you ever seen/kept anything other than betta splendifera?
[6:33:29:] <Milk> <sp?>
[6:33:54:] <Chris> That would be the bettas kept in teh cups right?
[6:33:57:] <Chris> ;p
[6:34:01:] <Milk> hehe
[6:34:01:] <Milk> yes
[6:35:05:] <Chris> Yes, I have. I have had a betta, have another betta, have one female guppy, had some tetras, and an Indian Glassfish.
[6:35:40:] <Chris> But of course, the following died, before I came to Badmans: Tetras, Glassfish, and some others.
[6:35:54:] <Milk> I actually meant any betta other than that
[6:36:09:] <Chris> I have also kept an ADF, and
[6:36:44:] <Chris> ohhh.... You mean another anabantoids...
[6:36:56:] <Chris> that would be a big no. lol
[6:37:21:] <craig> The floor is now open. :-)
[6:37:26:] <Milk> haha
[6:37:34:] <Jessica> thank you very much chris, great job :-D
[6:37:42:] <Chris> Was that the shortest chat in history or what?
[6:37:49:] <Chris> lol My pleasure.
[6:38:57:] <craig> Sorry about that folks. :-)
[6:39:01:] <Milk> hehe
[6:39:02:] <craig> It is now open. ;-D
[6:39:07:] <Milk> BAD chanserv!!!
[6:39:17:] <Chris> lol
[6:39:21:] <megan> thanks chris :) great job
[6:39:45:] <Chris> lol.
[6:39:56:] <craig> Chanserv and I have, erm, issues. :-D
[6:39:57:] <Milk> when you say other anabantoids are a big NO, your saying you haven't kept any yourself?
[6:40:15:] <Chris> lol @ craig
[6:40:56:] <Chris> I have only kept bettas, and that is it. no gourami's, opalines, etc.
[6:41:15:] <Hoots> Chris, what do you think about commercial breeders who keep bettas by the thousands in small jars or cups?
[6:42:28:] <Chris> I think that is just wrong, and that they only do it to either:
[6:42:35:] <Chris> A) For the money
[6:43:08:] <Chris> B) Are poor and can't keep big enough tanks and the proper maintence needed
[6:43:28:] <Chris> C) Both
[6:43:41:] <russ> commercial breeders?
[6:44:09:] <Milk> http://aquaworld.netfirms.com/Labyrinthfish/Betta/Betta_imbellis.htm
[6:44:13:] <Milk> oohhh, I want him
[6:44:18:] <Chris> OR D) are ingnorant
[6:44:28:] <Hoots> as in not your typical home breeders that do it more like a hobby
[6:45:07:] <russ> How are so many bettas commercially raised without having a way to seperate the males after they start to mature?
[6:45:32:] <Hoots> you're jumpning the gun om me russ lol
[6:45:36:] <Chris> Ok, I will get this straight: I think it is wrong for the commercial breeders to do what they are doing, but there are some that are nice and take care of the bettas properly.
[6:46:37:] <russ> There are a hundred times more bettas raised in clay pots than any other type vessel
[6:46:40:] <Chris> BUT, I think that home breeders who do it as a hobby are okay as long as they properly take care of them
[6:47:41:] <Chris> Hey Obi!
[6:47:48:] <russ> Chris, I see your point, but there is a practicle difference between the home breeder and commercial breeder
[6:47:57:] <russ> 'practical'
[6:48:00:] <Jessica> clay pots russ? don't those slowly leak?
[6:48:00:] <Obfishion> Hey, I'm late
[6:48:16:] <Hoots> pretty porous material
[6:48:27:] <russ> water proofed pots :-)
[6:48:39:] <Chris> lol
[6:48:41:] <Hoots> ah ha!
[6:48:47:] <Jessica> ah ok, rss
[6:48:52:] <Chris> I have to go to bed. So Guten Nacht!
[6:48:59:] <Chris> German for Good Night!
[6:49:00:] <Jessica> good night chris. thanks again
[6:49:06:] <russ> Chris, thanks again, and take care:-)
[6:49:07:] <Jessica> Gute Nacht ;-D
[6:49:09:] <craig> Take care Chris. Thanks. :-)
[6:49:11:] <Hoots> thank you Chris :)
[6:49:19:] <Jessica> und bis spaeter
[6:49:22:] <megan> thanks chris :) goodnight
[6:49:40:] <Milk> gnite chris
[6:49:45:] <Chris> Your welcome. I just think that it could have been a tad longer, and if i remembered, I would have been on time...
[6:50:07:] <Jessica> chris..
[6:50:09:] <Jessica> you were on time
[6:50:21:] <Chris> Jess, what does und bis spaeter mean?
[6:50:24:] <Jessica> it starts 8pm est - indiana eastern
[6:50:30:] <russ> There are actually about fifty strains of bettas divided into 10-11 groups which are again divided into two sets of groups.. Bubblenest builders and mouth brooders
[6:50:33:] <Jessica> bis spaeter.. see you later
[6:50:41:] <Chris> Oh.
[6:50:48:] <Jessica> :-)
[6:50:56:] <Chris> well Guten Nacht again. lol
[6:52:16:] <Jessica> go on russ :-)
[6:53:29:] <russ> Don't see too many of the mouth brooders in shops though
[6:53:36:] <Hoots> are strains actually species? I'm no good when it gets into the technical stuff
[6:53:56:] <russ> everyone seems to key in on the betta splendins (Pla Kat Cheen)
[6:54:14:] <russ> Yes, I ment species
[6:54:20:] <russ> sorry:-)
[6:54:46:] <russ> the strains would probably range in the several hundred
[6:54:56:] <Hoots> wow, why don't we see more of them?
[6:55:24:] <Hoots> or do we and just don't id them correctly?
[6:55:28:] <russ> 99 out of a 100 folks likes the splendins with the flowing finage
[6:55:40:] * craig is not a betta fan
[6:56:30:] <russ> chanes are that we(reg hobbyists) have probably came in contact with at least three species and several strains, but did not realize it
[6:56:43:] <Jessica> russ, do you know, there are short-finned spendins available, right?
[6:57:07:] <russ> Craig, I'm not either, after rearing thousands of them and comming out of my ears...lol
[6:57:20:] <Jessica> lol
[6:58:33:] <russ> the short finned splenins are most likely a combo of splenden strains that are offshoots of the 'real' fighting fish
[6:58:50:] <Jessica> hehe
[6:59:19:] <russ> the fishters are larger with rounded finnage, large heads and jaws
[6:59:27:] <russ> 'fighters'
[7:00:20:] <russ> but the larger of the betta genus and species is actually a mouth brooder
[7:00:40:] <russ> it can achieve about 4 inches TL
[7:01:38:] <Hoots> suitable for a community or a species only situation?
[7:02:10:] <russ> Can't remember the species, but I think its either B. pulchra or B. pugnax. Have to verify with fishbase
[7:03:05:] <russ> Being that it will be rather expensive and rarer, I would chance it with only a species tank set up
[7:03:21:] <russ> a ten-15 gal would do nicly
[7:07:41:] <russ> Well, I'm going to retire over to the reg chat :-)