Rookie Fish Keeper! HELP!

Question
Chris,
my boyfriend  bought a betta for me on saturday. He had the tank all set up for me when i got home as a suprise.
I have no idea about fish and have been reading ALOT of other peoples questions on here,
my worries are these:

how do i know when Milton is hungry? i try to feed him 2 times a day but he usually only eats one of the times. his water is looking gross, which i have read becuase i left the food in there. so when do i know when to feed him to avoid leaving food sit, and wasting it as well.

also, we bought a little light that attaches to the top of the fish tank(which ive also read is good)......what voltage of bulb should it be to keep the water warm enough for him? and i assume its safe to keep them on all the time, or do fish like that dark?

and in that, to moniter his water temp, what kind of thermometer should i be using.....one that sticks to the tank on the inside so it gets the water temp? a flat one? a round one?


help!!!
i dont want him to die.....i feel like im failing already and its only monday!!! his water smells and looks gross and i dont know how to tell if hes happy, or mad or hungry!!!


Thank you SOOOOO much!!!
Cristy and my fishie-Milton Squidward!!

Answer
Hi Cristy;

Milton is a lucky fella to have someone who cares for him so much!

It is very important not to leave excess food in the tank. Clean it out right away and only feed him once a day if that's what he prefers. Bettas only need 3 or 4 pellets a day. Here is a link to a section of a page on feeding bettas;

http://www.flippersandfins.net/faq.htm#food

Here is a link to a great page on caring for bettas;

http://www.flippersandfins.net/BettaCaresheet.asp

Have fun with your new little friend!

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins