As I've stated before in my previous post, I've been looking for a new tank for my red bicolor crowntail, Quinn. I was planning on getting a 5 gallon tank, but after crunching a few numbers while at Wal-Mart (which is a little odd, since I hate math, but it was simple addition and multiplication), I realized that it would actually be cheaper to get a plain glass 10 gallon tank and the supplies for it. I might even splurge and get him a little cave. So I decided to check out a few videos on YouTube to get some ideas for a setup. The first video I saw had a really cool idea that I didn't even think of: a divider that broke the tank into 5 gallon halves, with each half holding a different betta.
The hamster in my brain spun into overdrive at that. Two bettas, one tank? The divider keeps them from killing each other, and if it distorts the view enough, they may not be able to see the other betta. Quinn flares randomly anyway, and he's not on speaking terms with his reflection, so a show is not really what I'm after; I already have one. But having two bettas, especially two different types and colors would increase my diversity. I ran it by the powers that be (my grandparents, bless them for putting up with the fish food smell and the filters, along with my own zeal.) Immediately, I began crunching numbers again, which worried my grandmother because I was to talking to myself in public again. She'll get over it.
I now firmly believe the idea will work. The only issues in the way are money (I've got a ticket I have to pay for still) and what kind of betta to get. Money, I'll deal with later on. But I first thought about setting up a female side and maybe dabble in breeding. I scratched that idea, because that's a rather large commitment, and with college, I just don't have the time or resources I need. So I settled on another male. But what kind? Veiltails are beautiful, doubtless, but I've cared for those before. I've grown to like the challenge and spunk of the fancy finnage of crowntails, but Quinn would hear none of that. (And after thinking about it again, another crowntail would make the tank explode. That much attitude simply cannot be contained by 10 gallons.) So I started naming my options. Deltas were neat, but didn't quite catch my eyes. Plakats are a little tough to find out here, unless I wanted to search for male plakats mismarked as females. I also saw some of Victoria Stark's (of BettySplendens.com, link in the sidebar) strain of "Armadillo" bettas that looked absolutely stunning, but I'm still a little shaky about shipping bettas, although I know that she wouldn't do so without reasonable certainty that they would be safe.
And then I caught a glimpse at halfmoon bettas. Hook-line-sucker. (Pardon the fish pun.) It was almost as bad as when I bought Quinn. I saw one flare in his little glass bowl and the search was over. If Quinn was Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings (as in all-powerful, take a look at me, I'm fighting a huge demon....er, cat, kind of personality) then the halfmoon I saw was more along the lines of Galadriel.
Ok, I do realize how nerdy that analogy was. Bear with me.
So, I now know how I'm going to go about this. Buy a divider, or make one myself, and set up the tank. Quinn on one side, the half-moon on the other. (Which I think I've decided on Frost as a name.)
I'll let you know how it goes. =]
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