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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 17 of 17. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Jai Narayan on June 17, 2004, at 21:39:55
Today I got a large glass vase, some iridescent glass stones, a peace lilly, fish food, a glow in the dark plastic plant, and a betta fish the color of indigo.
So I named him Indigo.I have never owned a fish before.
I am in awe of the energy that a tiny scarlett blue fish could have.
He's so cool.Me and my fish.
I have a pet fish.
I can't tell you the joy I feel when I look at him in this really cool fish bowl with a peace lilly at the top.
Posted by tabitha on June 17, 2004, at 21:55:51
In reply to my fish called Indigo, posted by Jai Narayan on June 17, 2004, at 21:39:55
he sounds so pretty. What is a peace lilly? Is it a live plant? I had some pink cut flowers last week that were pretty, but this week they're dead. I don't know if they came out of the ground so pink or were dyed. I planted some geraniums and they're blooming pretty well. That's as close as I can come to a pretty blue fish. Everything else around me is brown, dusty, and scraggly.
Posted by shadows721 on June 17, 2004, at 22:36:08
In reply to my fish called Indigo, posted by Jai Narayan on June 17, 2004, at 21:39:55
Oh, I am happy for you. I have been wanting to get a fighting fish, but everyone says the 2 persian males will just go after it. Enjoy your fish. The fish sounds beautiful.
Posted by ghost on June 17, 2004, at 23:34:08
In reply to Re: my fish called Indigo, posted by shadows721 on June 17, 2004, at 22:36:08
i love betta fishes. i wish i could have tons of them. in my moving process, i've had to give away the two i owned, but i look forward to rescuing more from pet stores when i get settled into a new place. their beauty is, indeed, awe-inspiring. their presence is calming.
and they're very smart little guys. he'll soon recognize you and appreciate your presence as much as you do his.
Posted by Poet on June 17, 2004, at 23:50:22
In reply to my fish called Indigo, posted by Jai Narayan on June 17, 2004, at 21:39:55
Hi Jai,
Betta's are so pretty, or is it handsome if it's a male? Anyway, I don't have one right now, just goldfish and I like to think when they come to the top of the tank in the morning it's to greet me, not get food.
Enjoy Indigo.
Poet
Posted by Wildflower on June 18, 2004, at 9:22:41
In reply to my fish called Indigo, posted by Jai Narayan on June 17, 2004, at 21:39:55
Hi Jai.
Congratulations on Indigo! Fish are such peaceful creatures. Anyway, I did start off by having a beautiful betta vase with a peace lilly but then I started reading up on the topic and realized that I was torturing my fish.
Although these creations are a wonderful addition to any decor, they are very dangerous for fish. Contrary to what many say, Betta fish cannot survive by merely nibbling on the plant roots. They need other food. Also, by placing the peace lily in there, Indigo may suffocate. He won't be able to reach the top of the vase to get air.
The other problem with those vases is that the peace lily needs nutrients other than water to survive. Eventually, the lily will become very sparse.
If I were you, I'd either take the peace lily out and place a fake plant on top of the plastic piece (no more roots dangling in the water) or I would remove Indigo, put him in a more suitable tank and keep the lily in the vase but add fertilizer to the water. I ended up nixing the Betta vase and put my fish it's very own "fish condo" with a filter. He's much healthier now.
Posted by Jai Narayan on June 18, 2004, at 9:46:00
In reply to Betta vases are dangerous for fish » Jai Narayan, posted by Wildflower on June 18, 2004, at 9:22:41
***Thanks so much for your response.
I too was concerned about Indigo being able to breath. I rubberbanded the roots. Now he has much more room to get his breath.
I have food for him and was not going to leave him with the lilly roots. What kind of food did you give your fish? They can have little black worms...of course from the pet store. I have the betta pellet food. I feed him....once a day? twice a day?
How much time do you give him with the food?
Thanks for the advice.
Posted by tootercat on June 18, 2004, at 10:14:48
In reply to Re: Betta vases are dangerous for fish, posted by Jai Narayan on June 18, 2004, at 9:46:00
Oh dang I'm gonna contradict you Wildflower, sorry. We have a Betta here at work that was a "housewarming" gift from our copy machine guy and he gave him to us in a tall rounded vase with the peace lily on top ( I think it was a fad for awhile) I got a bigger vase for him (completely round) and made a modification so that the lily could stay. "Victor" loves his house and the roots of the plant where he can rest and hide when he wants. We feed him Betta food every other day (I cheat and feed him more from time to time) He loves when I come to his house and talk to him his little fins flutter and he puts his face right up to the wall of the bowl. Occasionally I take the plant out and rinse off the roots to get yukko stuff off. I also take him out and clean his bowl and his rocks and change his water ( I ONLY use bottled water as the chemicals in our tap water would kill him)He has been a happy little guy and a great addition to our office. On Long weekends I take him home with me. Oh and we put a snail in with him for company and to help keep the algae level down...the snails name is "Gary" (from Spongebob)Jai....enjoy your baby! Oh don't tap on the glass...I read that that is the equivalent to someone putting a big pot over our heads and banging!
Love ya,
Tooter
Posted by Klokka on June 18, 2004, at 10:49:44
In reply to my fish called Indigo, posted by Jai Narayan on June 17, 2004, at 21:39:55
Fish are wonderful, aren't they? I got a betta fish over a year ago, and even now it's such a joy to see him and take care of him. A site that really helped me getting started and knowing how much to feed him, how to condition the water, etc. was BettaTalk ( http://www.bettatalk.com/ ).
(and here's hoping this ends up in the right place... I'm a bit confused about how to reply to threads)
Posted by Wildflower on June 18, 2004, at 10:55:16
In reply to Re: Betta vases are dangerous for fish, posted by tootercat on June 18, 2004, at 10:14:48
Actually you're not contradicting me. My message was intended for those who believe that you:
1) Don't need to feed the fish because he eats roots
2) Don't have to trim or rinse the roots
3) Don't have to change the waterIt sounds like you're providing Victor a great home. In my case, I read all of the horror stories and decided to put my fish in a better home. It's a pretty cool place. I took a digital picture of a rocky cliff against the water while I was on vacation, turned into a black and white and taped it to the back of the tank.
Posted by Wildflower on June 18, 2004, at 10:57:24
In reply to Re: Betta vases are dangerous for fish, posted by Jai Narayan on June 18, 2004, at 9:46:00
> I too was concerned about Indigo being able to breath. I rubberbanded the roots. Now he has much more room to get his breath.
>>>>>Sounds like a good idea.
> I have food for him and was not going to leave him with the lilly roots. What kind of food did you give your fish?
>>>>>I feed mine 2-3 tiny Betta Gold pellets each day. I also have some type of dried worms but he doesn't like those quite as much.
Posted by ghost on June 18, 2004, at 10:57:38
In reply to Re: my fish called Indigo, posted by Klokka on June 18, 2004, at 10:49:44
i just wrote a huge reply and something happened and it didnt post. so i just want to say that in my lenghty reply i linked to bettatalk too. i'm glad someone did good :)
the other highlights i remember:
-- britta or pur filtered water is very good since it gets out the chlorine and nasties. but leaving tapwater or bottled water (which is often tapwater from another location with a fancy label) out uncovered for a day will have the same effect.
-- add "stress coat" for a healthy slime coat and aquarium salt to balance electrolytes
-- blood worms are a great treat but will make your fishie constipated if given too much. once a week is good. i had a college roommate who trained her fish to leap up and eat them off her finger.
-- feeding every other day (pellets: 1-3 of them) should be good. with fish, less is more, even though you feel like you're starving them.
...sorry if this ends up posting twice.
Posted by tootercat on June 18, 2004, at 15:22:26
In reply to Re: Betta vases are dangerous for fish » tootercat, posted by Wildflower on June 18, 2004, at 10:55:16
Phew! I wasn't trying to be a poo poo head...LOL
And yes he loves his little world. I am glad your baby has such a good mommy......Tooter
Posted by sexylexy on June 18, 2004, at 16:32:59
In reply to Re: my fish called Indigo (nm), posted by sexylexy on June 18, 2004, at 16:28:47
Jai...
congrats on your newest family member.
I have a precious indigo colored Betta named "Sushi" I love to watch him swim around. I read a book on Bettas learned that if you buy them like frozen worms (Sushi perfers bloodworms..ewwww) there colors get really bright. It is great watch!!!
Lexy
Posted by Jai Narayan on June 18, 2004, at 17:39:44
In reply to Re: my fish called Indigo, posted by sexylexy on June 18, 2004, at 16:32:59
Thank you all for your wonderful contributions. I love my sweet Indigo and you all too.
Today my sister sent me a magicain stone pendant the same color as my fish! I am wearing it and sending you all so much love.
ps ( what about putting a mirror up to the fish and having him think it's another fish?someone suggested doing it. Is it good exercise? or bad juju?)
Posted by ghost on June 18, 2004, at 18:30:08
In reply to I had no idea how much fun this is!!!, posted by Jai Narayan on June 18, 2004, at 17:39:44
i'm glad youre so happy :)
mirrors are fun and good exercise-- and a hoot to watch!
Posted by Jai Narayan on June 19, 2004, at 8:53:43
In reply to Re: I had no idea how much fun this is!!! » Jai Narayan, posted by ghost on June 18, 2004, at 18:30:08
I can feel this little fish swimming into my consciousness. I am aware that there is another mouth to feed..I am waiting for this little guy to appear in my dreams.
His water is real cloudy and I've only had him for two days?
What makes him happy?
I put my hands on either side of the bowl and he comes down and looks like he is rubbing against my left hand. Do you think that's real?
I like to send him good energy.
thanks for all this great information.
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