A Guide To Choosing a New Fish: Beta Fish

Every now and than I get a little bored. As bad as it sounds, it sometimes feels as though I don't have enough things to care for in my life. Maybe it's because I was an only child, or perhaps the simple fact that our 'pets,' when I was growing up, never stuck around more than a few months. I have an attachment to living things and caring for them, whether they walk on 2 feet, 4 feet, or rely on fins to get around. Sabrina (10) has a dwarf bunny and a rather precocious adult cat, and of course, here at our house, we have Truffles (the cat who lives life as a dog) and Nora (the awkward but adorable Morkie). I know it's Sabrina's job to drag home injured and wayward animals, but it's usually me pleading for a new family member at the pet store. I've been campaigning for a hammy (hamster) for months, though the upkeep and smell of small rodent pets has kept that idea at bay, and recently decided to make the plunge with a different kind of pet.

Choosing the right pet for your family can seem like a dubious chore. Even within a species (dog, cat, fish, bird, etc), there are many variants to consider (size, age, temperament, upkeep). In college my home had a working saltwater tank with some rather expensive fish; but I was hardly their caretaker. The truth is, the thought of caring for my own fish was a bit overwhelming at first. Sure they swim around in the designated area of a tank, and are relatively easy to feed, but maintaining a safe liquid habitat, and cleaning said habitat without disrupting the fish is a whole other story. Then there's the actual fish. Choose an expensive fish, and it likely will need more advanced care (larger tank, aeration, fresh foliage), choose a more affordable fish and you may be bringing Mr.Scales back in a Ziploc baggy floating backside. Furry or finned I have no desire to be responsible for the demise of an animal, and fish have always been something a little foreign to me.

Recently I discovered a new Beta tank designed to be self cleaning; well, as much as a tank can be. This No Clean Aquarium operates with a gravity driven fill system that pushes dirty water at the base of the tank up through a tube and out a spout at the top, when fresh filtered water is poured in. (More on the tank itself in a future post.) This method of external (hands free) cleaning gave me the confidence to invest in a Beta, one of the least fussy varieties of finned pets. Beta fish live in freshwater surroundings and do not require aerated water (this means pump free tanks); they simply rise to the surface for air as needed. They're your traditional starter fish, but have a few particularities that require one fish per habitat. Beta fish also come in a variety of colors and fin sizes which often range in cost from $4-$20. Thankfully there was a very helpful young woman working at the pet store we frequent who was happy to answer all of our never-ending questions and set us up with the necessary supplies. I let Sabrina (10) pick out the Beta she liked best, and it was no surprise she once again proved she had expensive taste, selecting the most flashy (and lively) fish on the Beta display.

As it turns out Beta fish love to 'lounge' on plants; creating a sort of hammock from existing leaves and foliage, so we were certain to pick out a few strands of living green to decorate our fish's new home. There are also many types of Beta fish food, specific for the gender, and coloring. Different formulas of fish food will have varied reactions with the scales and coloring of your Beta, so always ask for advice when not sure. These particular fish should be fed once a day, but can also survive up to a week on extended pellets of compressed food. Most importantly, though Betas require the least amount of habitat preparation, they do need chlorine free, filtered water. Be sure to invest in some Water Conditioner drops to pre-treat your tank's water, and allow the water and the fish to sit out at room temperature for a few hours before introducing the two in the new habitat.

Beta fish should have a natural light cycle; this means your fish tank should be placed where it will receive plenty of natural light (but not in the sun's heat), or outfitted with a simple LED tank light. If you are going the light route, be sure to make sure it is not in danger of being submerged in water, and turn it on and off with your regular sleep and wake cycle each day. Color changing LED lights can be bought at a local pet store to add extra personalization to your tank and decor. While you can decorate your tank as you wish, it's best to keep in mind basic safety flags when choosing decor that is not manufactured specifically for tanks. Avoid painted items that may flake or erode in water, do not over-clutter the tank with items the fish may become caught or snagged in, and always cover the basin of your tank with an even array or rocks (river rocks shown). We wanted to go with a Spongebob theme for our tank, but only the smallest decorations would fit. Most Beta tanks are on the efficient (Space saving side), as Betas do not require much room to thrive in.

I'm happy to report our newest family member is thriving in his new habitat, this Half Moon Male Beta has beautiful dual-tone colors, and was promptly named 'Gary' (as in the snail) on the ride home from the pet store. We feed him every night (with the furry kids), and clean his tank once a week (by refilling with filtered water). I have to admit, the No Clean Aquarium has really helped make the entire process much easier for me, and I highly recommend looking into it for any family considering a new Beta. (Again, more on the tank and it's unique filtering process in a future post.) I was initially a bit worried about how the cat would take to the fish, but the tank is quite sturdy (thanks to it's tall and skinny structure), and Gary serves more as a beacon of entertainment than a possible late night snack. But Nora (dog) and Truffles (cat) will sit for hours watching him swim back and forth, almost as transfixed as Sabrina. Gary may not be a very hands on type of pet, but he's a welcome part of our family none-the-less.

Does your family have a fish? Are you thinking of adopting one?

Cats And Strawberries- A Connection To Catnip?

We're baaaaack! Okay, I had to take some time away from the Pet Blog due to a myriad of health issues and an influx of work on the main blog. In any case, I hope to get back to blogging over here regularly (3-4 posts a week), and re-starting the Pet Pals blogger/reader goodie swap program. In the mean time I thought today's topic would be a perfect way to break back into pet blogging. You see, about a month back, during Spring Break, Sabrina (10) and I spent a day at the local Pick-Your-Own farm. We brought back a modest 5lbs of hand picked strawberries, carefully arranged in clear produce containers. When we arrived Sabrina had placed her bag, with 2 containers of strawberries on the floor by the foot of the couch where she usually sits. We promptly became distracted by the concept of fresh strawberry smoothies, and headed to the nearby kitchen to wash and slice a few cups.

Now, I'm fairly observant, in the sense I have the motherly tingle- I know when something is amiss. Somehow my ears picked up the faint rustling of plastic somewhere in the room over. I was sure it was one of the four legged children, but whom, and why? I allowed this sound to go on for a few minutes, until the rustling became more intense and constant and I was driven to investigate. What I saw when I came around the corner was borderline obscene. Truffles was throwing her entire body onto the strawberry containers and rubbing like a bear on a tree. Now I know cats like to 'mark' their pheromone by nuzzling their whiskers, but I had never seen a cat take to an inanimate object like this; especially a fixed one! We all had a good laugh as this continued for a good 20 minutes until I tired and removed the berries from her range, but I was left quite curious as to what had sparked this catnip like behavior.

You see, cats are carnivores and cannot digest fruits as well as protein; therefor her intent was far from consuming these red berries. I did a little research online to see if I was alone in this traumatic experience, and it turned out I certainly was not. One forum guest recalled a tale of waking in the middle of the night to find her cat had pulled strawberry scraps out of the trash to simply smash and roll in them. While there were many tales of strawberry shenanigans, in particular, there were several accounts of leaf laden veggies and fruits in general. Carrots (click here for fan photo) seem to frequently cause a bit of commotion too, though no scientific reasoning can be provided as to why. The only actual 'scientific' note I could find was a remark that tigers in captivity often have toys soaked with a natural strawberry scent to encourage playfulness. Whatever the case, it certainly is amusing, and slightly awkward. Does your cat got ba-n-an-a-s for any strange human food or non-edible object it prefers to play with rather than eat?

Help the @BlindCatRescue See A Future Without Spending A Dime

Today I'm going to have to edit myself a bit- I'm on my way out to visit my mother's family, and the cemetery; as it is the anniversary of my beloved grandmother's passing. This week in general tends to be hectic, as it is also Jay's birthday, 7 days shy of my oral surgery, and the anniversary of his own father's passing. Instead of writing a dreary reflective post I thought I'd try to pass on some of the spirit of the woman I will be honoring today and share a very simple request to help support an amazing cause. You see, growing up, I always loved my grandma Pony's house the best, for it was always filled with the kindest wayward animals. From the blind dove that still lives there today to the numerous homeless cats and spoiled dogs. Much like the people that passed through her life, she could not turn away an animal in need. Growing up my own home reflected this.

I've shared tales of how Momma would suddenly show up at my school with a homely looking cat in a carrier. Unfortunately, many of them ended up being ill beyond healing, but all enjoyed their time full of love and with full bellies. Some of our readers may or may not know that our own feral adoptee, Frankie, has Feline herpes; a lifetime immune deficiency that causes awful outbreaks much like a bad case of the human flu. In addition, he has special requirements behaviorally, which often see him self soothing (grooming) for hours on end and can make tasks as essential as digesting food near impossible. Ensuring Frankie keep his weight up, and managing the natural messes of a chronically sneezing cat, is quite the job- but Frankie deserves a happy home just like any other.

That is why, today, I am dedicating an entire post to the Blind Cat Rescue and Sanctuary in St. Pauls, NC. I have never been there, nor do I have a personal story of how they have have impacted any animals in my life, directly. However, I do feel I have become a part of their family through their adorable channel on Ustream, which live streams footage from their shelter rooms from 8:30 AM EST to 7 PM EST. Go on, click on over, you know you want to! This footage not only serves as a daily dose of adorable and magically captivating whimsy, but a place where those who donate can watch their parcels unboxed live. That's right, you can send items from the organization's Amazon wishlist and see as they are unboxed, put to immediate use, and watch as the cats enjoy and interact with them. Now, the Blind Cat Rescue houses, as a forever home, 100 cats; not all being blind. However, each and every cat has a unique story, is up for direct sponsorship, and requires a permanent loving home and full time care.

Started by a kindhearted woman, named Alana, in 2005; the Blind Cat Rescue and Sanctuary saves cats that would otherwise be put down at shelters. They nurse cats with lifetime illness' and disabilities, as well as provide plenty of attention and a loving home; all non-for-profit. If you are a cat lover, or simply a humanitarian, it's hard not to spend just a moment browsing the Ustream footage, or website and fall in love. Personally, I have spent many of the various Amazon gift cards I earn blogging and taking product surveys to donate directly from the Amazon wishlist, in addition to sending various product vouchers (for essential cleansers and detergents, you can imagine how many cat beds they wash!) But there is a way you can help without spending a single dime. The Blind Cat Rescue is in second place for a $10,000 grant through The Animal Rescue Site. Just a few hundred votes could make the difference in these 100 cats' lives!

Helping the Blind Cat Rescue cats and staff is as simple as clicking over here, to the Animal Rescue Voting Portal, and typing in "Blind Cat Rescue" as the shelter name, and "NC" as the state. The Blind Cat Rescue should be the only option that shows up. Simply click 'Vote,' and enter the CAPTCHA on the following page. Viola! You can vote once per day, per device- I am sure to vote on both my iPad and laptop daily, as well as Jay. It's something simple we ALL can do to make a difference in these adorable kitties lives, and once you've voted once, returning to vote is as easy as clicking a button (it saves the last shelter you voted for). For more information on what Alana and her crew are doing at the Blind Cat Rescue, and to get involved (or just unwind with some adorable pictures) visit their Facebook page. Thanks guys!