TulsaPets Magazine November 2022

November / December 2022 • TulsaPets 37 One thing to keep in mind when decorating is that male bet- tas have long, delicate fins. The fins, although great for display in the wild, come with a lot of extra baggage. They weigh the betta down, meaning your betta will be a weak swimmer, and he can easily get snagged on jagged surfaces. When selecting your decorations, try to pick those that don’t have pointy edges. Pick smooth decorations, and provide plenty of places for the betta to explore. Another great option is the betta leaf, a plastic leaf that suctions to the side of the tank. Bettas like to hang out toward the surface of the water to take gulps of air and create bubble nests. Betta leaves make a perfect lounging area, and you will likely see your betta sleeping on it often. To keep things interesting, switch out the decorations in your betta’s tank occasionally. This will give him new opportunities to explore his surroundings, keeping him active and engaged. Keep Your Betta on a Healthy Diet Bettas are notoriously picky eaters. However, when they find food they like, they usually devour it quickly. Many betta own- ers report that bettas avoid fish flakes. Instead, try betta pellets first as his daily staple. Of course, your betta will also love an occasional treat. Freeze-dried bloodworms are a good option. Although the betta can eat bloodworms as is, it is generally recommended to soak them in a separate bowl of water for a few minutes before feeding the betta so as to avoid constipation. For something extra special, consider letting your betta prac- tice his hunting skills by buying live food. Ideas for live food to purchase include baby brine shrimp, daphnia, and blackworms. Monitor Your Betta’s Health Knowing what a happy, healthy betta fish looks like is an important part of learning how to care for your betta. First, a healthy betta should be brightly colored, with wide, flowing fins. If he has a dull color or is keeping his fins tight to his sides, this is a good indication that he isn’t feeling well. A happy betta fish should also be relatively active. Although any household pet is likely to spend a fair amount of time lounging, a happy betta will also spend time swimming, explor- ing his surroundings, observing activities taking place outside the tank, and creating bubble nests. He should also have a healthy appetite. If your betta is unusu- ally lethargic or is not eating, something might be wrong. If you do notice strange behavior from your betta, it’s time to double-check what is happening inside your tank. Use strips to test the pH levels and the levels of nitrite and nitrate in the tank. The pH levels should be 6.5 to 7.5. If pH levels are off, change the water and add tap water conditioned with pH water treatment, available for purchase at most pet stores. Nitrate should be between zero to 40 ppm, and nitrite levels, the more dangerous of the two, should be zero. If any of the levels are out of those ranges, a 50 percent to 80 percent water change is needed. If those levels are all right, check to see whether the filter needs to be changed, and check the water temperature to be sure the heater is still working. It’s also possible that your betta is experiencing constipation because bettas tend to be aggressive eaters and often eat too much. If you suspect constipation is Mark Shackelford, D.V.M. • Erin Green, D.V.M. Kara Herrington, D.V.M. • Kris Haak, D.V.M. M-F: 8:00 - 5:00 • Sat: 8:00 - 12:00 6231 E. 15th • Tulsa, OK 74112 • 918-835-2336 STAFF ON SITE 24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS AWEEK • Large, beautiful suites with Cat-TV! • No dogs allowed! • Cat only area for entrance and exit! • Kitty-sitting for an hour, a day or overnight! 9535A E. 47th Place Next door to Dogville Daycare 918-949-6070 kittycitytulsa.com IS ANYONE STAYINGWITH YOUR CATS TONIGHT?