This betta caught my eyes a week ago whenever I'd go to the pet store to buy things for my goldies. He's a light purple color, with spots of various colors like reddish/purple, blueish purple on his fins and scales. Anywho, I saw him swimming, believe it or not, in a small plastic drinking cup! His dorsal fin was pretty much clamped looking, probably because of lack of space to swim and I believe the little guy hasnt been fed for awhile.

I felt really terrible for him but I couldnt get him at the time. The week after, when I received my paycheck, I went to the store and purchased him, along with red colored glass beads and one medium sized plant. I brought him home, which was risky because I didnt have my dad's consent. ^^; I don't know if he noticed the betta but he must know by now since the old 5.5 gallons tank is being used again along with an old ornament for the fish to hide, the 5 gallon air pump and the heater. Too bad my small sponge filter doesnt work anymore but I'm going to get new one tomorrow.

Anyhoo, this is the second day and the betta seems to be enjoying his big home alot. I gave him a little betta food, which he didnt hesitate to eat, to my relief. He constantly swims, staring at his reflection from the tank. I just hope my pump isnt too strong since I know betta doesnt like too much flow in their water... maybe I just need a smaller stone.

Now all he's missing is a good name. I'm open to any suggestion but I know a pic of the fish would help anyone that's willing to help.

Now I have 3 fish in my room! If this keeps up, I'll turn my room into an aquarium too!

Good job! I'm glad he's doing great already. I'd name him Aspen, but I'm a nature-y person.

I hope you enjoy your new Betta! His colours sound lovely. As for names, something will come to you I'm sure and it will just seem to fit

Congrats on your new betta. I bet he is pretty. For names how about since he purple-Strom or Stormy, Purple Haze, or Ginko ( for Ginko Biloba) for a couple. Hope you can post pics soon , I know we would all like to see him

Congrats on your he sounds beautiful.Post pics soon

Well there he is! My little nameless betta. He loves his new home and poked the bag alot when I was adjusting him to the tank water. Talk about an eager little betta! He seems to be doing better ever since he got into his bigger home. He has a good place to hide and he seems to be fond of my heater too.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v406/BB_Chan/DSC00326.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v406/BB_Chan/DSC00323.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v406/BB_Chan/DSC00322.jpg

Sorry the pictures arent all that great. I wish I had a better camera. Oh well, those will do for now! Please enjoy! =)

Lovely fish He may build a bubble nest round your heater.

Congrats on your new fishy. He is really cute.

I always wondered how do betta build bubble nests? And for what purpose do they build them?

Also I'd like to have some advice. Which filter would be best to put in the tank, without giving too much water flow? I was thinking of putting my Aqua Clear 20 to filter the water since I can adjust the water flow... is it a good idea?

Your Betta looks lovely, those are nice colours!

Bubble nests are one of the nicest little characteristics of male bettas. Male Bettas blow bubble nests for mating and breeding purposes. During mating the female betta expels the eggs which are then caught by the male in his mouth before they fall through the water to the bottom, then he will swim over and literally spit them into the bubble nest!

Bettas very often build bubble nests, its a kind of sign that they are happy in their environment. He will probably look for an area of the tank with little water movement so the the nest won't get dislodged by the current, sometimes as Blue says they build them around other objects at the surface like heater or filter cables. Sometimes they are huge, othertimes just little ones, but they are always cute and very pleasing to see. Bettas always look kind of cross if you disturb their nest during a water change, but when everything settles they will just start again!

I'm not really familiar with the filter you state. The general thinking is that filter current and surface movement should be minimal as Bettas find it hard to swim against a very strong current. Your filter should be gentle and preferably with an adjustable flow rate. I'm sure sombody else will know about the aquaclear.

I hope you enjoy your new Betta!

Thank you for the wonderful info Mr.Bumble! I truly appreciate it. I have more questions concerning the betta fish. How big can this fish grow? What's his maximum growth capacity? Also, if I use a filter, do I need an air stone since filters pretty much can give water oxygen?

Thank you!

Bettas do not need air pumps. They have a labyrinth organ from which they can breath directly from the surface A betta can survive in very oxygen deprived waters as long as they have access to the surface, but on the other hand, they can not survive soley on oxygen in the water if the surface is blocked by plants or roots.

Now the aquaclear 20...I think it will be okay in a 5.5 gallon tank. I have a model 30 on a ten gallon tropical and by adjusting the flow rate, you can limit the water agitation quite a bit. With a 5.5 gallon, he has space to get away from the flow if he does not like it (even though the lowest setting should be fine) and if that proves to be too strong, you can always move a large orament in front to disperse the flow. In rare cases, some bettas will not tolerate any agitation from filters at all...much like my guy. He's quite the exception though, so you don't have too much to worry about. I think the 20 will be fine...no harm in trying out something you already have

Hi SuiSui...COngrats on your new fella...he's gorgeous! I'm sure he is sooo happy to be out of the cup and in such a nice tank too. An aquarium room? Nothing wrong with that!
I agree with Kissy on not using an airstone...the filter is enough. And the filter should be fine as long as you get the water agitation to bare minimal. I use the lowest flow rate, have a large artificial plant in front of the outflow and stuffed the chamber with sponge filter material until the flow rate suited me and the bettas. I'm sure you can make yours work too.

Wow! Thank you everyone! I tried the Aqua Clear 20 with the lowest flow rate and my betta doesn't seem to mind at all! Also I'm glad that he's looking healthier now and that he's not a picky eater like some betta are apparently. So far he eats the Hikari Bio-Gold and frozen blood worms. I should check if he will eat the brine shrimp too.... maybe during the weekend.

Now if only I could find a good name for my little guy. I'm open to more suggestions!

I'm glad you're enjoying your new Betta! Sounds like you're feeding him a very good diet. As for names, I always feel it's easier to try and find a name that just seems to suit the Betta. Maybe something based on his colours or his personality. I like "old fashioned" male names for my Bettas. Having said that, the name Travis just came in to my mind?

How big can a betta grow and how long does it take for the male betta to build a bubble nest?

Oh I found the perfect name for my betta! Since he has alot of different purple shades, I decided to call him Murasaki, which is Purple in japanese. Suits him like a glove!

Reminds me of a friend who has a blue betta named Ao.

Betta size, I think, depends on type and genetics. I have a pet store plakat that is almost 3 1/2 inches long. I've been thinking of taking her out of her bowl since she is so big but then again she is very aggressive so I haven't done it yet. My oldest male is about 2 inches. The rest range from 1 1/2 to 2 inches.

Umm, I don't think there is a specific time that it takes for betta to build nest. Mine build them over night. They normally only build them if there is a female near or if they are happy. Some may not even build them even if they are happy. If your guy is new it could take himm awhile to build one or he could build it right away.

hmmm. lovely name for a lovely betta!!
as for the size...they remain pretty small in comparisson to other fish. mine are all about the same size..maybe 2-ish inches.
the bubblenests....males will sometimes build them if theyre happy. but not always. some of them just dont. but mine...normally within a couple of days of being in a healthy new tank they make a bubble nest. and whenever i change the water they make new ones. such quirky little fish!!

Murasaki - that is a really great name for your Betta SuiSui!

Another really cool beta.

It must be contagious.

I would name him "Blizzard" because it looks like his colors were blown across him in a storm.

Congratulation on your new fish - he's such a pretty colour I love the name Murasaki - it suits him

Congrats on your Betta.I rather like the way the colors all blend in together-what a pretty boy you found.

great name

cute fishie