Fish questions. Betta (Chinese Fighting Fish). Help Please?

[Wish for Fish]

Please read all the way through. I don't want to kill me fish I'll give full stars to the Best Answer I choose!
So I've never had a fish before and I'm about to get a Chinese Fighting Fish. I have a big, flat shell that I've put in the bowl so it has something to hid behind and have a little niche, but I'm worried it might fall over, because the rocks on the bottom don't keep it proped up enough. Is there some sort of a safe adhesive material I could use to keep it in place. For example, would a little big of double-sided tape be dangerous for a fish? I wouldn't want to release any toxins into the water :S

Also, do I need to have a cover for my bowl? Apparently the cover keeps them in, although I read somewhere that Betta Splendens have a labyrinth organ that acts as a primitive lung, so they can get oxygen directly from air...meaning, I suppose, I need to keep the top open, right? Or would maybe a plastic top with large holes in it be the best option?

How often do I need to clean the bowl/change water? I'm planning on getting one or two aquarium snails, so hopefully that'll keep the bowl reletivally clean so I won't have to do it as often.
IMPORTANT: how do I change water? Don't I put the fish into another container, and change about 10 to 20 percent of the water about once a week? And how often and how do I clean the entire bowl. How often do I actually have to remove the fish, clean everything individually, then put it back in?
Is it safe to put the fish directly into tap water? I suppose it's best to let the water sit for a day to become the right acidic level and temperature, right?

Sorry for such a long passage. Please answer as many as possible, and suggest any tips/give any extra info/facts I need to know or might like to know. Thank you!!

 

[loupa_carpathian]

First, there are no really safe adhesives for the tank aside from aquarium sealant, of course this is pretty permanent and needs to be done on a completely dry surface. Other glues and tapes will dissolve and break down in the tank, releasing toxins and poisoning your little guy.
And YES the shell CAN harm the betta. Since they do have a labyrinth organ, they are required to surface every so often to breath the atmospheric air. If they are unable to, like being caught by or under the shell, they can drown and die.
All the others are sbsoluty correct, a tank is really the best thing you can do for your betta fish. Not only is it less stressful on him; being caught once a week and having compelty new water all the time is shocking, wearing and a risk to their life. A small change every few weeks or so in a proper tank is much less stressful and dramatically cuts the risk of any mistakes. It'll also be far less work for you, changing a few gallons and a filter cartridge every other week or so is far less work than properly cleaning and re-doing the tank on a weekly basis.
A 2.5 gallon is the absolute smallest tank truly acceptable for a betta, though a larger tank is always appreciated; if you can get a 5 gallon, go for it.
A heater is a must for betta, as they are tropical fish. They can TOLERATE lower temps, but don't WANT cooler temps. And just like you and me, being too cold for too long can lead to illness and possibly death. Fluctuations of temps more than 2 degrees an hour can send them into shock as well.
I'd suggest ebay for a small tank, I just got my little betta girl a new 5 gallon bow front for about 40 bucks excluding shipping, they're about 60 in store. If you're lucky you can make a steal on there with used tanks. I got a 5 gallon hex a year or so ago for 20 dollars.
I also suggest silk plants over rough or plastic items, as they have a tendency to rip their fins on their edges. You may want to reconsider the shell if it's sharp or rough at any point. I had a bow a few years back tear himself up something fierce on a simple plastic plant.
Best of Luck!

 

[Sara]

Not to be redundant, because I'm sure everyone will give this answer by the time I'm done typing: BETTAS CANNOT LIVE IN BOWLS. Sorry to yell, but they need at least 5 gallons with a heater (but I commend you for asking about it before you go the fish, so you have time to get a proper tank). A bettas water temperature should NEVER fall below 78 degrees Fahrenheit.
A live plant is much better hiding than anything else. I suggest hornwort, it's very low maintenance and needs very little light and nutrients. I have some in all of my tanks, even the ones with high lighting, because it's so east to care for. And my bettas LOVE it. The only issue is that food gets stuck in it so I have to rinse it off when I do water changes (rinse it in the tank water).
bettas do need a tank cover, you could buy one with a light so it's easier to view your fish. Many 5 gallon kits come with a filter and lighting, which is nice. They do have labrynth organs, but they also breath with gills!
To change the water you'll need a gravel siphon. You don't need to remove the fish, just make sure you don't suck him up. In a 5 gallon, you should remove 20% of the water weekly if you don't have a filter. You never have to clean the entire tank. Ever. Unless something horrible happens, like bleach falls in the tank or something.
You should let the filter and heater run in the tank for 3 days before you add fish just to make sure it's working properly. You cannot put the fish directly in tap water. You need to add dechlorinator to the water first OR let the water sit for 2 days with an airpump running in it before you put it in the tank so the chlorine will evaporate. It's easier to buy dechlorinator (usually called water conditioner when you buy it). It's very inexpensive. You use it because the city adds chlorine to the tap water to kill little bugs and bacteria in it, and it WILL kill your fish.


I'm going to give you a list of things you need, since you're a first time fish keeper:
-5 gallon tank
-10 lbs gravel
-heater
-small undergravel filter or sponge filter (make your own: http://hagblomfoto.com/article_spongefilter.htm)
-Live plants (if you don't have good lighting get: Hornwort, java fern, java moss, or any other moss)
-water conditioner
-gravel siphon
-a tank cover/hood with a light if you like
-betta pellets as well as frozen foods (brine shrimp/bloodworms) as treats


EDIT: :O some unknowledgable person has stolen my name! I was confused when fish man was yellin at "sara" haha


EDITEDIT: and you should remove the shell if it's a real shell. It will harden your water and hurt the betta!

 

[Emily]

Basically Your asking how to take care of a betta.
If the shell tips it won't hurt the betta. You don't need to cover the bowl but you can if you like. You need a clean a bowl once a week. Aquarium snails don't fit in bowls. Neither do they "clean" your bowl. If they do, their work is minimal and hardly makes a difference. When you buy the betta, it'll come in a cup most likely. Keep the Cup! I always keep the bags and cups incase I ever need to transport my fish. When you change the water, put you betta in the cup. Empty the dirty water and rinse the gravel. Fill up your bowl. I suggest you also buy a thermometer to check temperature before you put your fish back in the bowl. I also suggest you buy a small bottle of conditioner. If your wonder how to get your betta from the cup to the bowl and back. Dump the water over a sink and catch the betta with a net you bought. Betta's prefer a 5 g+ but if you were to raise it in a bowl this is the correct care.

 

[Sara]

-For a betta, a simple rock house will do and you can buy one at wal-mart Theres nothing adhesive that will work under water. The fish poo and water will wear the adhesive down quickly.

-Use a top with holes in it. Betta fish breathe air like we do and will die if the top is covered completely but they'll jump out if you don't cover it at all.

-Change 40% of the water every 2 weeks but if you notice it getting dirty before that go ahead and clean it. Do one complete change every month. Scrub but do not use soap. Bettas live in rice patties in the wild so you can imagine they live in some dirty conditions. Soap would kill them very quickly.

-24 hours before you clean the tank or change water set out tap water to settle. If you don't wait 24 hours they will die. The cholorine is highly dangerous to them but it evaporates slowly when its left out.

-Wal-mart also sells special tanks for Betta fish. Their usually cheap and it beats the bowl no doubt, plus the special kits come with air filters.

Hope I helped!

Note* Chinese Fighting Fish is a commonly used name, I assume because the chinese place bets on which fish will win in a fight.

 

[Vulcan]

1. Correction- you are about to get a Siamese fighting fish, otherwise known as the betta. Bettas are native to Thailand, formerly Siam.

2. Bowls are not an acceptable means of housing any fish, so many of your questions are irrelevant.
-Bettas are jumpers and an aquarium hood is necessary unless you want to find a crispy fish on your floor.
-While bettas do have a labyrinth organ that allows them to take air from the surface, they still primarily use their gills. A filter is necessary not only because it oxygenates the water, but because it provides beneficial bacteria that breaks down fish waste a place to colonize.
-Bettas are tropical fish and their temperature should be maintained between 78F-82F. The temperature of a bowl cannot safely be regulated.

If you would like to keep a betta invest in the proper equipment. That is about a five gallon aquarium, a gentle filter, and an aquarium heater.

3. In the appropriate set up you perform a partial water change of 25% weekly. This means using a gravel siphon to vacuum the substrate and remove roughly 1/4 of the water. Replace with fresh, conditioned water of the same temperature.
-Removing the fish is not necessary, nor is a complete water change.
-All water intended for aquarium use should be conditioned so that harmful chlorine, chloramines, and heavy metals are neutralized. Personally I use either Aquasafe or StressCoat with my fish.
-Allowing water to set out for 24 hours may evaporate out chlorine, but chloramine and heavy metals will not. Water conditioner is necessary in most cases.