Jun 28
I bought a betta fish for my 2.5 gallon aquarium yesterday. I haven’t had much luck with fish in that aquarium, but I read that bettas don’t need much space, so hopefully he’ll do okay. Since I leave the light on, the temperature stays around 75-78°F. The tank also contains a bubble stone and filtration device 
I’m currently taking suggestions for possible names. I named him Phobos 
I was thinking about naming him Mars (the red planet) but thought Phobos (one of Mars’ moons and Sailor Mars’ crows) sounded better.
Did you know that keeping a betta inside a vase is dangerous to the fish? I remember when that was a huge fad. Poor fishies 
I always put too much trust in the pet shop employees. Some know what they’re talking about, but most don’t. I originally housed 2 goldfish in my 2 gallon aquarium because the pet shop guy said they’d be fine. Needless to say, the fish were overcrowded and soon died. Helpful advice: when purchasing any type of animal, don’t be impulsive like me. Research! The web is a wonderful tool 
Mallory
Such a cute fish! And yes, people are often mislead by pet store employees about bettas. Essentially they think that since a betta can breathe air, it doesn’t need a large tank. The rule of thumb is a gallon to every inch of fish, so a 2.5 gal is great! Just make sure to do a water change once a week, and to vacuum the gravel. This site is a great resource. =D
PS: These are some female bettas I had a little while ago. The males fight each other, but females can get along if they have enough space in the tank. =D
Thu Jun 28th, 2007 11:14 am
Ashley
It is totally cool that we both just got betta fish.
Yours is such a bright color. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a female betta as brightly colored as yours! I’ll be taking pictures of mine soon. I need to get her a better tank though. She was going to live in my 5 gallon tank, but then I got Freebie unexpectedly.
I hate how some people think betta fish just need a small puddle to live. They love having lots of space! I hate seeing them in vases or tiny little bowls. I saw this weird thing at the pet store. It was like a half of a bowl, glued to a piece of wood, and you hang it on your wall. So, it looks like you’ve got a fishbowl hanging on your wall. Anyway, it was on display and this poor betta was in there looking like, “Why me??”
I got a 20 gallon tank for my 2nd/3rd grade classroom two years ago, and I bought like 20 goldfish. Needless to say, most died.
Research is definitely a good thing!
Thu Jun 28th, 2007 11:22 am
Melissa
lol I’m always impulsive but for some odd reason I always seem to know what to do with them…
As for my beta fish (George) he lives in a vase type thing.. not a real vase it’s meant for beta fish and has more than enough room with a part at the top that’s supposed to house a plant to put extra oxygen in the water but I removed that and use my sea-monkey bubble maker to fix the oxygen.
Mr. George (the evil ant-eating beta) has been living with me for almost 3 years now.
I saw a tank similar to yours at walmart that I’m dying to get. I wanna get him a friend but he’s evil and the tank is too small. Last time I tried to give him a friend he tried to eat him :O
Love the tank and Phobos is a very pretty betta!
Thu Jun 28th, 2007 4:36 pm
Robmarie
I never liked keeping betas in vases — even though they’re solitary creatures, they always seemed so cramped and miserable in that couped-up thing.
Thu Jun 28th, 2007 6:41 pm
Carolynne
Aw, I love your new fish. He’s so pretty! A very unique choice. I have never owned a fish before, but I do have an interest in it. Maybe some day I will!
Fri Jun 29th, 2007 1:55 pm
Crystal
Oh, I love betas! Everyone I’ve ever had has lived more then 3 years.
Fri Jun 29th, 2007 7:03 pm
xunlan
HI I AM FEOM CHINA
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Fri Jun 29th, 2007 11:22 pm
mendifae
beautiful betta! I also have one and he’s red, white and blue (I kid you not!!) and they are so much fun to watch! Mine is cramped up though so I’m going to have to get him a new home soon…
great picture!!
Sat Jun 30th, 2007 9:56 pm
Chien Yee
A crazy, childish me would say, “Ooh Fishie!”
I can’t keep any more pets here since I’ve not enough time to care for them, because I’ve so many dogs.
It’s a really beautiful betta fish. I also like the name because I used to be a Sailor Moon addict
Sat Jun 30th, 2007 10:28 pm
Skye
I enjoy looking at fishes, but I don’t want to own one. It takes a lot of time and effort to make them healthy, but you don’t get the reward of being able to pet them. They don’t greet you when you come home. They basically just float around doing nothing productive and wasting your money. I’d rather have a dog than a fish. And I’m really not a good fish-taker. Every time I buy a goldfish, it dies after 2 weeks. So I finally took pity on them and just accepted the fact that fishes don’t like me. lol
Sun Jul 1st, 2007 1:38 am
Karrie
Awww! Hi Phobos! The whole betta in a vase thing seriously bothers me. I feel so bad for them. We got a fantail goldfish back in April and named her Ginger. A week after we got her, we realized she had Ich! We treated her and she got over it, yay. When she was sick, I just wanted to hug her but it’s kind of hard to hug a fish, you know? She got better and now she’s getting bigger! I think we’ll need a bigger tank soon.
Sun Jul 1st, 2007 8:10 pm
Arien
He’s a cutie for sure, lol. I haven’t had a Betta for years but the one I did have when I was a kid, he lived for about 5 years. I named him King because he was quite a huge betta.
The two fiddlers crabs we bought my daughter for her birthday aren’t doing to well. One met with his maker already and the other is not doing much better. Sad even if I have no want to ever touch them.
Your tank is so cute though Bubs! And you’re so right about doing one’s own research. It’s a shame places like Pet Smart don’t teach their employees better then they do seeing the type of work they are in…
Tue Jul 3rd, 2007 7:03 pm