Parrot Cichlids

These misunderstood fish are a great addition to any home with the appropriate aquarium set up. A lot of people think they are ugly, or refuse to get them because they are deformed and man-made. Well, the truth of the matter is, they are going to be here rather people want them or not, so we might as well accept them and give them a loving home.
They are a hybrid form of red devil cichlids and severums that were in captivity in Taiwan by scientists. They were crossbred and as a result, the parrot cichlid was made. It has a deformed spine, which gives it the hum on it's back and it cannot close it's mouth. This seems hazordous to the fish, but it's actually not, they are perfectly healthy and have no difficulty eating. They have adapted to these changes and do not experience any problems. They are very avid swimmers as well. To eat, they crush the food up in their throats instead of using their mouths. If happy they will swim and do little 'dances' to get your attention so you will give them food.
Tank requirements are, you need at least 42 gallons for 2-3 of these fish, the temperature should be 70-82 degrees fahrenheit, and the p-h should be 6.5-7.4, but closer to 6.5 is better though. Be sure to include things they can hide behind, in, or under because they are very shy at first and feel comforted by having the ability to hide. Also, these things are usually where they sleep and breed as well, although most males are sterile so the eggs may not hatch. If you have any fake plants, make sure they are anchored down good and have some heavy rocks or other heavy items on the base as these fish like to re-arrange their tanks per-say. Same goes for live plants, you may find the fish like to jerk these up. Also, it seems the less lightig they have the better. With bright lights it makes their color duller, but in darker lighting, or none at all, their colors really come to life. It's okay to have the lights on the tank every now and then, just don't over do it, maybe an hour or 2 a day would be good.
Ideal tank mates are any fish that are not smaller than them and not overly agressive. Some good tank mates are cory cats, angel fish, and other types of cichlids, but none of the malawi kinds.
Foods include floating or sinking pellet food, flake food, freezedried bloodworms, or brine shrimp. Try to give them a mix of all of these for a healthy diet.
(these are jellybean/bubblegum types)
If you do decide to buy these fish (which I recommend you do), be sure you are aware of the
ones labled jellybean and bubblegum parrot fish. They have been given a bath in chemicals that removes their slime coating, injected with die, then bathed in another type of chemicals that puts their slime coating back on, all for the simple pleasure of giving them more colors. This is very in-humane and should not be allowed. You can purchase them if you want, but due to all of the stress and trauma they went through their lifespan was shortened to only half of that of a regular parrot fish. (lifespan of regular parrots are 10, the jellybean/bubblegum are 5) So if taken care of properly these wonderful fish can live a long, happy, healthy life.

Betta Fish

These beautiful fish are a great addition to anyone new to the hobby of fish keeping. Once they are in the right environment they then become pretty low maintenance, but you seem to find yourself wanting to give them as much maintenance as possible.
It's sickening how Wal-Mart and other chain stores sale these poor fish in tiny cups only half filled with water. Sure it may be the fact that the males cannot be together and it would be too complicated to have them each in a separate tank, but the solution would be simpler, don't sale them. Yes, they are a top seller, true, but they should be in better conditions then a cup that they can barely go in a circle in, at least a 1 gallon until they sale them would be better. The myth that they like little water is very untrue. I'm on the fence though on rather buying them from these chain stores is saving them or just supporting the cause. I'm more towards saving them because they will probably just die in the store under those conditions, at least if they are bought and taken to a good home they can live longer and healthier. Now the matter is, what is the proper way to take care of these fish?
Betta fish should be kept in a minimum of 2.5 gallons of water, but a 5 gallon tank would be best though. Since betta fish breath from the surface, airation devices are not needed. A heater would be advisable as well seeing as they are tropical fish. Filtration is not needed, but it's easier in the long run, it makes it so you don't have to change the water as often. They need to be fed once or twice a day with a good variety of foods. The BettaMin flake food by Tetra is good to feed them as it enhances their colors and they like freezedried bloodworms as well, these should be given only 2 or 3 times a weeks, as said on the labeling in the feeding instructions. There are other foods you can give them, but I have not tried anything else, so I wouldn't know to recommend it or not, but many people seem to have good results with these other things, try googling "good foods to give bettas".
Some may think Betta can not be housed with other fish, but this is not true. Male betta just cannot be housed with other males or other fish with long tails (as they think this is another betta.) You can't put males with female betta either unless you intend to breed them. Some good tank mates are zebra danio, GloFish, neon tetra, ghost shrimp, cory cats, and pleco. There are many more options, but these are just a few. But make sure you do research on the habits of different types of fish as so you don't put in any fin nippers, which tiger barbs are best known for nipping fins. But be sure you have room in your tank before you add any more fish, you do not want to overcrowd.
What exactly are the tank requirements anyway? Well, they need a minimum of 2.5 gallons of water to be healthy, but 5 gallons is best though. You should always condition the water at least 24 hours before adding the Betta, this goes for any fish as well. You should cycle the tank for at least a week or 2. (google "how to cycle aquariums") The temperature should be 74-80 degrees fahrenheit. Also, they require a pH of 7.0 or at least something close to that. Decorating isn't required, but the Betta will probably enjoy a well decorated tank, especially if you use silk plants (real or fake) as they like resting on them and it's gentle on their fins. Try to avoid plants or decorations of any sort with pointy or jagged edges, as this might damage your betta's delicate fins.
I would say how to breed bettas, but I have not even done it myself, but have only read many things about it. Try googling this as well, "how to breed betta fish", your question should be answered right away.
Bettas, as you may know, come in many colors and varieties. There are half moon betta, veil tail betta (most commonly found in stores), crown tail betta, and plus some. This website can show you some of the many colors and types they come in: http://watershed3.tripod.com/types.html
With all of these tips and info you can help a Betta live a long, happy, healthy life.