| Keeping fish as pets takes more than just feeding | | | | However, that little jar was kind of small for a pair of |
| them and changing the water every once in a while. | | | | fish although they got along. So, we decided to |
| Sadly, many people aren't aware of that and they | | | | move the fish to a much larger plastic container. |
| just buy aquarium fish because they're attractive. | | | | Later I added a couple more females so that it |
| After a short while the fish start to get sick and die | | | | became sort of a betta community tank. |
| one after the other, and the newbie would lose | | | | Being fascinated by the beauty of the male bettas, I |
| interest in the hobby and give it up all together. | | | | bought a couple more and put each in individual jars. I |
| Basic knowledge of fish keeping, together with the | | | | fed them dried food and occasionally bread. |
| right aquarium supplies, is crucial to the livelihood and | | | | However, I fed them too much. The water would |
| longevity of your fish. It's important to maintain the | | | | become cloudy fast from fish waste and uneaten |
| optimum living conditions for your fish and other living | | | | food. So, I completely changed the water every |
| things you may have in your aquarium if you are to | | | | other day. I would fill up the jar with new water right |
| enjoy them for a long time. | | | | from the tap. |
| To illustrate this, I shall share with you my own | | | | As you might guess, the fish didn't last very long. |
| experiences when I got started with this hobby for | | | | After only a few months they started to get sick |
| the very first time as a child. The first experience | | | | and eventually one after the other died. |
| was with bettas and the second with goldfish; two | | | | Dirty water, untreated new water, fluctuating water |
| different kinds of fish with different requirements. | | | | temperatures, and trauma from being moved |
| My first pet fish were a pair of bettas (a male and a | | | | frequently during water changes were some of the |
| female) which my mom bought me because she | | | | factors that contributed to the fish's low resistance |
| knew that I liked fish and felt sorry for me because | | | | to diseases. |
| a toy fish was all I had. | | | | Although it's acceptable to keep bettas in relatively |
| We put the bettas in a small plastic jar with a floating | | | | small containers without aeration, it would be much |
| live plant. The male was aggressive. He continuously | | | | better to put them in a tank of at least 2 gallons, |
| chased after the female and attacked her until she | | | | and you would still need to observe certain basic |
| was full of bruises. One night, running out of place to | | | | things such as not feeding them too much and |
| hide, the female desperately jumped out of the | | | | setting aside new water to equilibrate the |
| water onto the floor. Fortunately I was nearby and | | | | temperature and remove chorine prior to water |
| was able to save her. | | | | changes. |
| My mom then suggested that we separate the fish. | | | | I was only about 10 years old at the time and didn't |
| So we put the female in a different jar. However, I | | | | know anything about fish keeping. Neither did my |
| felt that the female was lonely. So one day I asked | | | | mom. Also, back then there were very few books |
| my mom if I could buy another fish. There was a | | | | about aquarium fish and the aquarium supplies were |
| beautiful green male betta that I decided to buy. | | | | not as sophisticated as they are today. |
| At that time I didn't know that bettas were fighting | | | | Today, there are plenty of good books and |
| fish and that the males would fight with each other. | | | | magazines as well as web sites about fish aquariums. |
| So at first I decided to put the new male in the | | | | So, if you're serious about taking up this hobby, you |
| same container as the first male. I knew the first | | | | should start by reading a few of them and gain the |
| male was aggressive and I just wondered how he | | | | basic knowledge before you even buy your aquarium |
| would react toward another male. | | | | and fish. |
| To my amazement the two males fought with each | | | | In the next article you will learn what happened when |
| other and there was no sign that they would stop. | | | | I tried to keep some goldfish, also with very little |
| After a while I got worried. I didn't want any of | | | | knowledge. In the mean time I invite you to visit my |
| them to die so I finally separated them and put the | | | | web site (see below) to learn more about aquarium |
| new male together with the female, and to my | | | | fish keeping. |
| pleasant surprise they got along pretty well. | | | | |