[K9-Lovers]

Duffysmom, you would really enjoy a Beta fish as a pet. The bad thing is -- they only live about 3 years. The good thing is -- they have very prominent personalities. They love people and will come to you for a touch (but be careful with touching). They are sold in most pet stores and the prettiest are males. Don't keep them in the small container, but get them a beautiful glass bowl (no aeration needed). Each fish needs 1 gallon of water, which should be changed at least once each month. I also put a fake aquarium plant inside because they love love love to lay on the plant to sleep. You cannot combine them with other fish, even their own species, because they will fight and kill any other fish. Once in a while, place a mirror next to the bowl and they will puff up in beautiful glory, attempting to scare away the intruder fish. I've been keeping a Beta for the past 9 years (that's 3 fish). "Flash" just passed away, so I'm considering adopting another. They make food just for them. They need to be fed 2-4 pellets at least twice a day. They are carnivores and also eat tiny bits of meat (only do this occasionally) and the soft inside of a green pea. Their natural habitat is in Asia and they live among roots of plants in stagnant water and eat larvae and itty bitty worms. Okay, I'm rambling now.