Fish tank

Say hello to Sonic, the newest member of my household. He is a male Siamese Fighter (otherwise known as a Betta), and he lives in a novelty oversized wine glass on my coffee table.

When I was a kid, we had a small family fish tank (~60cm if I recall correctly) with a few mollys, snails and some other fish I haven’t been able to identify. I really enjoyed watching the fish go about their business; and the ambient nature of a thriving fish tank has always appealed to me. Though, after we upgraded our little friends to a larger tank, they all died (we suspect the new tank was not cleaned properly), and then I grew up and totally forgot about how much I loved having fish. Until now.

My sister got me this little present for my birthday, and it has re-ignited my interest in fish tanks. I did a little research on the Betta, and I’ve found that in order to live happily, he needs a proper tank. Many people keep these guys in tiny one-litre containers because they can live in them. Of course they can survive, but it’s akin to keeping a large dog in a small yard – they can be kept there, but not happily. So, I intend upon starting small, and if I catch the bug, I’ll get serious on this hobby.

I’m going to buy a second-hand fish tank, about 60cm, with a stand and some accessories, and some fish for Sonic to live with.

This handy-dandy fish compatability chart tells me there are about 4-5 other fish species that should all be able to get along well with each other. Although the Bettas are reknown for their violence toward other Bettas, it is generally accepted that they can live happily in a community tank with other fish as long as those other fish cannot be mistaken for another Betta. In fact, typically in a community tank even with other fish that don’t look like Bettas, the Bettas get the raw end of the deal: their large, flowing fins make them slow, and unable to escape from other fish who make like to nip at them! Even so, as with any community tank, the temperment of the individual fish inside it will ultimately decide their compatability. If it turns out that the fish I buy don’t get along, I can put Sonic back into his oversize wine glass until I upgrade the others to a larger tank, and then Sonic can have the 60cm tank to himself!

Until I get the tank in a few weeks after I move house, this is mainly just an idea on a blog. But I fully intend to make it a reality!