I now have three running aquariums. D:

I went to the pet shop today to buy some plants for my 120l tank. I went in and they had kittens in stock. The one kitten came up to the glass and started to meow at me, reaching out with a tiny paw to push at the glass between us at the same time. I nearly walked away with them but barely managed to resist. I then went to the aquatics section and I managed to walk past the Betta section, because I know better than to look, and I looked at the plants and I looked at the fish and then I saw him.

He was in a tank with a bunch of platys. He was white and blue and pink and purple. Every time he moved the light caught a different color. He was swimming up against the glass and I looked at him and I looked at him and I fell in love. I asked one of the staff if it was ok to keep a Betta with other fish like that, and the staff member explained as long as the Betta was put in with fish that didn’t have flowing fins like it he wouldn’t attack it. And as long as the Betta fish wasn’t put in a tank with nippy fish then the Betta wouldn’t be attacked. Are minnows and danios ok? I asked. Minnows, yes. My heart sang. Danios, no. Then quickly I deflated. Could I try it? Maybe… I continued to look at the fish. I had a 12l spare, I had gravel, I had rocks and wood. I could buy a heater and a plant. I didn’t even know where I would put the 12l and I later realized I forgot to buy a thermometer, or factor in that it would be another mouth to feed and tank to monitor when I was away. I had resisted the other temptations (THAT KITTEN!) (all the other Bettas!) (a beautiful black axolotl!)

And I had completely fallen for the little guy.

I got him.

I took him home.

I got his tank set up. It’s very simple at the moment. Since this picture was taken I’ve got the filter in. I’ll soak some of my spare wood to build up the tank a bit. He is a bit shy and fussy right now, as would be expected. He picked at his supper – kept spitting it out – and goes to the back of the tank when I come close.

I hope he is gonna settle in. He was more expensive than my other Betta fish, probably because he is fancier (my other Betta fish was glaring at me as I fawned over the new Betta. Or at least I felt like it. I may feel slightly guilty to my Betta for finding the new guy…a little prettier… :| )

And yes, I did buy the plants too! Gave the big tank a good tidy and put in the new plants. Getting very heavily planted in there and it’s beautiful. My first Betta tank is doing well and it would have been a year since I got my first Betta at the end of this month. I’m placing my original Betta at a year and a half years old, which is kind of awesome.

I’m definitely getting a little too into this fish keeping hobby. I can’t believe I have three tanks. I hope this won’t affect my electricity bills too much :/