I had a 10 gallon tank in my garage that I decided to take out and add some rocks and live plants to this morning. While I wasn't sure what the end plan was, I knew I definitely wanted to have shrimp there eventually and some stuff for my cats to watch. I've had bettas before as a kid, and I wasn't totally sure if that was what I wanted quite yet. But whatever it was, I was looking forward to designing the tank, then choosing its inhabitants.

Came home from work around 4am just now, and there's a cute little betta and a tiny nerite snail chilling in there, with a sweet little note from my SO.

I know he meant well. And plus - the little guy is so dang cute 🥺 He looks as pouty as I feel lol. I went ahead and thawed a couple bloodworms (only food I have on hand) for him and he immediately ate 2, so he's doing okay I think. He seems a bit fiesty and I already love his personality.

I'm definitely not mad, but yeah, I'm disappointed 😕 Worried too, because I'm woefully unprepared. At least there's some beneficial bacteria here - I took 2 pounds of gravel from someone else's established tank, but I can't check parameters because I don't have water testing strips or even a thermometer 😵 He does flare at the sides of his tank, I think at his reflection, so I'm going to get him something to hide in ASAP. Also, I'm crossing my fingers that I get a spectacular color change.

At the moment, I have a heater in the room to try and keep him warm (there is no way the water is above 70°). I'm not sure if there is anything else I can do at the moment... helpful advice, reassurance that he'll be okay, or name suggestions would be lovely! 😅