Eskielvr reminded me that maybe not everyone know all the abbreviations. So here's an index of common abbreviations used! I cannot remember all of them, so if you think of more, just post, and I will add to the list!

Common Betta-related Abbreviations:

• HM: halfmoon
• PK: plakat
• CT: crowntail
• CTPK: crowntail plakat
• CTHMPK/HMCTPK: crowntail halfmoon plakat / halfmoon crowntail plakat (same thing)
• VT: veiltail
• SD: super delta
• ST: singletail
• DT: doubletail
• RT: rose tail (round tail in some non US countries)
• FT: feather tail
• NR: no red (often referring to the colors yellow and orange)
• BF: butterfly (referring to color pattern)

General Abbreviations:

• IAL: indian almond leaf
• LFS: local fish store
• LPS: local pet store
• AB: aquabid (in reference to Aquabid.com)
• BBS: baby brine shrimp
• VE: vinegar eel
• WW: walter worms OR white worms (two different things)
• MW: microworms

Thanks Haeun. this will be really helpful for those just starting the hobby.

This is completely awesome. Wish I'd had something like this way back when I first started out.

Great job! :clap

:) It would also be great if someone really knowledgable can get a glossary list started too. You know, a dictionary of common betta terms, such as "monster," "dragon," "butterfly," etc. :) If not, I can start it this weekend.

lol, I figured out the tail type abbreviations, and actually figured out the BBS after I posted. What is an IAL though? I think that's what I saw, or close to it.

ial is indian almond leaf

Ah ok, thanks :) I like the Atison's Betta SPA better. Just squeeze the amount you need and pour it in. It's not time consuming like doing the whole boiling process.

Speaking of which, I read an article somewhere that said you don't want to leave your Betta in the Betta SPA for more than a week or so, or it could harm them? How often should I add it to his tank then?

I don't boil my ial . I just float a leaf on the top of the water and it does the rest within an hour or so. I leave it in there untill I do the next water change in a week. If you put ial (the actual leafs ) in there you male will blow bubble nests like crazy

I doubt IAL can ever harm your betta. The trouble is when you get old dirty water. :lolo:

Oh ok. I did notice when I added the Betta SPA I used the amount it said to use for conditioning. I thought it meant conditioning the water, but someone told me it was for conditioning for breeding. He sure built a lot of bubble nests, lol

Since I had been using Melafix, someone else told me to make sure I get enough air in the tank, so I added an airstone. He hasn't built a bubble nest since.

Bettas breathe from the air, so all the airstone does is annoy him and stop him from making bubblenests. :s

He doesn't seem annoyed though. :unsure: Does he really need to make a bubble nest though? He's not being bred, so what would the point be??

yup bettas do not need airation. Some tolerate the current and some it aggravates like my hm Sunti. He started biting his tail cause I had the filter turned up too high. You can use ial and melafix at the same time. Melafix is tea tree oil . Ial is good for conditioning for breeding but is also good for keeping the water in good condition-antibacterial. I don't breed at all and keep it in my bettas water. Yeevs says he uses it in all his fish and has never had a sick fish

The airstone is there mainly because I was medicating and heard that some medications can deplete the oxygen supply. I have a few snails in the tank as well, and was told if they hang around the surface a lot my air supply may not be good. Since I added the airstone, the snails haven't been surfacing nearly as much.

Also, we'll be going away for the weekend and I wanted the airstone to help insure I have enough circulation for the feeder blocks I'll be using.

:bettafish

Because I forgot what I was going to say! :huh:

Fish don't need to eat if your just going to be gone for the weekend ( or for a week for that matter). The feeder blocks cause more harm then good because of water quality issues they have been known to cause.



RC

Making bubble nests is something that male bettas enjoy doing.
They are territorial creatures, and a bubble nest helps to mark their territory.
Plus bubble nest making is something healthy fish do, if you notice that a fish that normally blows nests has stopped, you know that hemight be feeling off color.
HE doesn't know that he's not going to get a chance.. nature tells him to build his nest, mark his turf, JUST in case a lovely lady happens to wander by.
JMO.
Also, what you were told about snails is correct, but that is why they evolved syphons, to be able to take advantage of atmosphic oxygen. Much like the same reason bettas devloped their labyrinth organ.
perhaps you could turn the airstone down a bit?
That might make both betta an snails happy, if it seems as though he isn't liking the airstone.

Your avatar is a nice photo. I raised show Shelties at one time.
Anyone else's dogs follow them to the bathroom? A friend was talking one day about her dog always following her into the bathroom. I think it's because they know they have a captive audience. Hee. I told, try having 5 of them follow you in!

I loved my shelties. Now I love my schnauzers. NO SHEDDING!