20/01/2024
Atticus has been stressed lately. (You can see the proof when you look at his fins)
My betta fish Atticus has been with me for a few years now. He does a lot for me with water energy and he supports the vibe in the house and I value him just like any other pet/animal.
A lot of people tend to think fish are super simple and they can be but unfortunately a lot of their care is forgotten or just not understood.
Atticus for example needs the water heated to a certain temp to be comfortable, he needs low flow (not too strong) from the filter because it replicates betta fish natural environments (in streams) and if it's too strong it's uncomfortable to him, he needs places to rest closer to the surface for comfort like little nap hammocks, he enjoys exploring his tank so he likes different structures and hiding places.
He had an alright set up but he needed and deserved an upgrade. I got a couple live plants that I didn't have before (I was too intimidated but I'm soon to get more) and got a larger tank with a better heater (more reliable for the upgraded size), new rocks for the bottom of the tank (that look more realistic), and I'm still going to check in with him for any updates he would like.
Reducing his stress, valuing him, and caring for him just like I would Franklin was the priority. Franklin has needed attention and care lately and I felt like Atticus was not getting what he needed.
I just transferred him to this tank this morning after letting it cycle and many water checks and he was SHOOK. Definitely overwhelmed by the new environment and the size of the tank. (I just went from a 5 to a 10 gallon but that's double the size!)
He's acclimating and he is grateful to explore! I hope through these actions and upgrades he feels my appreciation and love for him.
Soon I plan to get some more live plants and look at some fellow tank mates that are able to safely cohabitate with Bettas (like snails).
I have researched a TON on fish quality of life and health (but I'm not an expert) and I am super happy to help you with your fish's well-being and the connection between you! Let's talk to them in an animal communication session.
Link in my bio 💜