Betta Fish as Pets

Around a month ago, I wanted to buy my own Betta fish but I could not find any site that provide simple steps on caring the fish. All I can find are those professional fish owners which the maintenance are quite high. Thus, I create this post for you who need simple Betta fish care. Betta Fish which is commonly known as fighting fish.


Choosing a Betta Fish

1. Find Betta fish from any fish dealers/shops. Choose any fish of your preferable colour and tail types. You can observe the fish through its colour and activeness.

2. Healthy fish will have radiant colour and actively swimming or maybe kinda of attack when it saw another Betta fish. Do not buy fish which has white weird dots on the body as it may be a kind of fish disease.

3. A normal Betta will cost you around RM4 to RM12 per fish.

Reminder: Do not expect to find any special types of Betta fish in most fish shops.

Betta Fish Tanks / Containers

4. Since you are not opting for aquariums like professional fish, you can just ask for simple Betta tanks in any fish shops. The tanks will cost you around RM4 to RM10 depending on the size. Some will save up by using used glass bottles.

5. You can decorate your tanks with small rocks and soft plants. (Although empty tanks are easily to clean)

6. Betta fish can get along with simply purified/filtered water. Tap water is okay but it is afraid that the water might contain some unwanted bacteria.

Reminder: My tank can be split into two sides for two Betta fish but I prefer my Betta to have more space to swim around.


Cleaning the tank/container

7. Scoop out your Betta into a small cup with the same or new water.

8. Clean your tank/container with plain tap water together with any rocks or plants in it.
* Do not ever use soap to clean those because it can bring harm to your Betta fish.

9. Use the water as stated above and fill up the tank until it reach around 1 inch and make sure the tank/container have a cover (make sure got oxygen flow) because some Betta fish love to jump out from the tank.
*If your Betta fish really jumped out of the tank, just gently pick it put and place back into the tank.

10. Change the water from 3 days to 7 days time or anytime you think that the water is dirty already. Use back some of old because your Betta will prefer its own bacteria some time.

Betta food

11. Feed your Betta around 4-5 times a day with small amounts each time.

12. Betta food can be easily bought in fish shops. Betta fish food are smaller in size compared to other fish food.

Note: Your Betta fish might not be active for the first week when you've settle him down. Let him take his time to get used to your surroundings. After constant feeding and tank cleaning, you will have a happy Betta fish.

My Betta fish, Dory

I bought my Betta in less than a month. It cost me exactly RM10 for my Betta, 2 packs of Betta food, Betta tank and a big pack of small rocks. I really can say it is really cheap for my beautiful Dory. Dory really worried me at the beginning because it just stay at a corner all the while but it is now used to my presence and surroundings. Dory is happy and loves its new home. Let's see my close-up Dory, beautiful isn't it?

Making of CNY Ribbon Biscuits (Folding and Frying)

Here's one of the Chinese New Year delicacies, people call it Ribbon Biscuits. Maybe it's because of  ribbon-shaped biscuits ^^

The dough is basically made from plain flour, sugar, margarine, bicarbonate soda and egg. But you can buy the ready made dough and they are made into strips which are easily to cut. Those ready made dough can be bought from traditional biscuits factories and it is more tastier compared to self made dough.

1. Place the dough strips in single or double layer
Single layer - Can save more dough and make more ribbon biscuits
Double layer - The "ribbon" will be more nice but a little wasting of the dough

Reminder: My ribbon biscuits will be double layered.

2. Folding the ribbon biscuits
- Cut the strips into small strips about 1.5cm
- Cut 3 short lines in the middle
- Split the strip at the middle cut
- Pull the top end into the middle and pull upwards

3. Frying ribbon biscuits
- Put enough oil into your wok
- Heat the oil until it is hot and throw in the folded ribbon biscuits
- When no more bubbles appearing by the ribbon biscuits and they had turned into golden yellow colour, bring up the fried ribbon biscuits.
*Do not bring up the ribbon biscuits when you think the colour is alright because the colour will eventually turn darker when you place them aside*

Reminder: Set a tray with newspapers as base and some kitchen sanitary napkins on top to place the newly fried ribbon biscuits in order for the napkins to absorb the remaining oil.

4. Fill the fried ribbon biscuits in air tight cans or bottles when the crisps has cool down.

There you are, the tasty fried ribbon biscuits are ready to be serve to your friends and family. Have a prosper 2011 Chinese New Year. Enjoy~

How to make Ngaku crisps (Arrowheads)

Chinese New Year is approaching and my mum start making new year biscuits already. Since I am having my holiday, thus I participate in the making of arrowhead crisps or better know as "ngaku crisps". Some may call it as "chiku" too. Here is the recipe for this crisps for new beginners who which to make this goodies for friends and family.

1. Choosing arrowheads (ngaku)
You can easily get it in most of the wet markets (eg. Tesco) especially when Chinese New Year is approaching. It cost less than RM2/kg which is quite cheap compared to a few years back. Do not choose those arrowheads that crack or dirty at both ends in order to produce round and nice crisps.

2. Peel off the skin of arrowheads (ngaku) and slice them into thin slices by using food processor. Thin slice of arrowheads (ngaku) will make the delicacies more crispy.

3. If you do not want to fry those sliced arrowheads (ngaku) immediately, you can place them separately on big dish to avoid pilling up. Pilling up will cause the arrowheads to stick together and cause difficulty during frying time. Drying it for a while (30-60 minutes) can help to lessen the hot oil sizzling.

4. Frying crisps
Put enough oil to fry into your wok. Wait until the oil is hot enough then throw in two or three teaspoons of salt into the hot oil depending of the saltiness of crisps you wish. Place the sliced arrowheads (ngaku) one by one to prevent overlapping. Fry with medium heat.

5. When no more bubbles coming out from the fried crisp and the colours are turning light golden yellow, bring up the crisps. But not bring up the crisps when you think the colour is alright, okay? It is because the colour will eventually turns darker when you place them aside.

 
*Reminder: Set a tray with newspapers as base and some kitchen sanitary napkins on top to place the newly fried crisps in order for the napkins to absorb the remaining oil on the crisps.

6. Fill the crisps in air tight cans or bottles when the crisps has cool down.

7.  And there you are, one of the Chinese delicacies is ready to served to friends and family. Enjoy~