Sunday, February 12, 2012

Can you put a Betta Fish with Lucky Bamboo?

can you add lucky bamboo to a fish tank that has a beta fish in it? has anyone had lucky bamboo with fish before?

Can you put a Betta Fish with Lucky Bamboo?
you can, but it's not a great idea. unfortunately, like bettas, lucky bamboo has rumors floating around about it too. lucky bamboo is NOT actually a water plant. keeping it in water for an extended period of time will cause it to rot and die. I'm pretty sure this would happen even fast in a heated tank (which yours SHOULD be because bettas are TROPICAL fish). of course that will fowl up the tank pretty fast, so not exactly good for mr. betta. besides that lucky bamboo is quite rough and can tear bettas fins.



here, check out this link:

http://mgonline.com/luckybamboo.html
Reply:It is usually not a good i dea:





Q %26amp; A - Betta in a Vase



Why Bettas Should Not be Kept in a Vase

Q: I've been reading about the craze of keeping a Peace Lily and a Betta splendens in a vase together. What do you think - is it safe for the fish?



A: The argument made for keeping fish in a vase is that pumps, filters, and other aquarium equipment, do not exist in nature. By putting the fish in what appears to be a natural environment the assumption is made that it is inherently as healthy as, if not healthier than, an aquarium. That simply isn't the case. It is true that in nature the Betta lives in shallow rice paddies and swamps. However those waters represent a complete ecological system, which cannot be replicated in a small vase. Rice paddies are shallow but are still part of a much larger body of water that serves to dilute toxins. Scavengers and bacteria present in native waters break down wastes and render them harmless to fish.



In nature the Betta lives on a diet that consists predominantly of insects and insect larvae. In fact, Bettas contribute significantly in controlling mosquitoes that abound in their native habitat. The Betta's digestive tract is geared for meat. Its upturned mouth is designed to grab insects that have fallen into the water. Although they may be observed picking for morsels on plants and rocks, they are not bottom feeders by nature. A diet consisting of vegetable matter may keep them alive for a while, but it is not natural or healthy. Over time they will slowly be starved of the proper nutrients, and more easily fall victim to disease.



Another factor that has been completely overlooked in the Lily-Betta combination is the element of water temperature. The primary reason Bettas in small bowls are often listless is because the water temperature is too low. Bettas are native to countries such as Thailand where the climate is hot and moist. The ideal water temperature for the Betta is about 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Although they can survive at lower temperatures, they become lethargic and may even refuse to eat. Unless you live in a very warm climate, the water in a vase cannot be maintained in the upper 70's to lower 80's. Subjecting the Betta to cool temperatures is the same as if you or I had to live in a house where the temperature that didn't rise above 60 degrees.



Lastly, there is the issue of how the betta breathes. Like other fish, the Betta derives oxygen from the water. However, it also has special organ that allows it to breathe air directly. Its upturned mouth allows it to easily gulp air from the surface, and therefore survive in waters that are low in oxygen. If the Lily vase is not properly set up, there will be insufficient open space at the top of the water for the Betta to reach the air. As the oxygen dissolved in the water is used up, the Betta will need to breathe air more often. Should it have trouble reaching the surface, it may become deprived of the oxygen it needs to survive.



The Peace Lily-Betta combination is clearly a popular fad, but it is neither natural nor healthy for the fish. A dog or cat owner would never consider shutting their pet in a small closet with minimal heat, food, and air. The Betta should not be treated any less humanely.



http://freshaquarium.about.com
Reply:Yes, I have and it looks very decorative. The petco close to my house also sells bambo plants in their aqautics department, guess its OK to do.
Reply:My lucky bamboo came in a glass with gel in the bottom in which the roots are growing. Would you set the entire thing in the Beta water or pull out the bamboo, rinse and then put in. I have a peace lily in with my Betta boy.
Reply:YES!!!
Reply:Yes you can.
Reply:Yes, as long as it is not one of the betta-in-a-vase type setups.

Rubber Slippers

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