INPUT ARTICLE: Article: It’s possible your betta will contract a disease or infection at some point in his life span, so be prepared by having medications on hand to treat your Betta quickly and efficiently. Medications can be stressful for your betta and should only be used when you have confirmed your betta has a specific disease or infection and medication is necessary to treat the issue. You can find medicine for fish at your local pet store. Your first aid kit should contain the following medications:  BettaZing or Bettamax: These medications are anti-parasitic, anti-fungal, and anti-protozoan. They are useful for a number of issues, such as fungus and velvet parasites. You can also use this medication as a preventative measure if you are trying to get a Betta used to a new environment or every time you introduce a new Betta to your tank. Kanamycin: This antibiotic can be found at many fish stores and pet stores. It can used for serious bacterial infections. Tetracycline: This antibiotic is used to treat less serious bacterial infections like fungus. Ampicillin: This is a useful antibiotic for treating popeye and other infections. You can find this antibiotic in specialty fish stores and online. Jungle Fungus Eliminator: This is an anti-fungal treatment that works on several fungus infections and is useful to keep on hand as a Betta fish owner. Maracin 1 and Maracin 2: These medications come in hard tablet form and can be used to treat mild infections like fin and tail rot. However, the are not as effective as other medications to treat more serious infections. This will help to remove any waste buildup and any decaying organic matter from excess food and dead leaves or roots from plants. Doing a small partial water change weekly will also clean any toxins from the water and keep the water clean.  Do not remove any of the aquarium plants or decorations from the tank or bowl. Removing or cleaning these items can kill the good bacteria that has been filtering through your tank and reduce the quality of your filtration system. As well, you do not need to remove your fish from the tank or bowl when you do a partial water change. This can stress out your fish and could expose him to harmful bacteria.  You can use a siphon to suck up any gunk in the gravel and decorations. You should also use an algae scraper to remove algae on the surface of the tank or the tank ornaments before you remove any of the water.  If your tank does not have a filter, start with clean water and test daily for ammonia. When the kit says there is ammonia, it's time for a water change.  Getting a top cover for the bowl or a filter can reduce the water changes you will need to do and protect your fish from getting an infection or a disease.  Check the water once a day to ensure it is not cloudy, foamy, or has an unusual odor. These could all be signs of a bacterial bloom and may require you to do multiple 50% water changes. Doing this will prevent your Betta from developing any diseases or infections. Bacterial infections like fin and tail rot can be prevented by keeping up with weekly water changes. Unlike table salt, aquarium salt does not contain any additives like iodine or calcium silicate. (Don't use table salt!)   Do not use aquarium salt or copper-based medicines if your tank also includes aquatic snails or corydoras, as they can not handle these medicines and may die. Nerite snails are salt-tolerant, however they will not be able to handle copper, so proceed carefully.  Always follow the instructions on the package for dosage amounts. Keep in mind that aquarium salt is not for long term use. It's only for baths.

SUMMARY: Create a betta first aid kit. Do a 15-50% water change once a week, to keep your betta from being stressed. Add tiny amounts of aquarium salt to remove any bacterial infections.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: In order to move beyond the conflict, you and your friend need to discuss the issue. Ask your friend to meet with you—invite your friend to coffee, dinner, or a walk on the beach. Your proactiveness will show that you care about repairing the relationship. Insist that the conversation takes place face-to-face—if you and your friend can see each other’s facial expressions and body language, there is less room for misinterpretations.  If your friend is not ready to meet, don’t push the issue. Give them a few more days to cool off and then ask again.  Decline any offers to talk about your fight over the phone or social media platforms. When you and your friend meet, both of you may be experiencing very raw emotions. Your demeanor will set the tone for the entire discussion. Don’t let your negative emotions take control over of the situation—yelling, aggression, and defensive behavior will only derail the reconciliation.  When you feel yourself getting mad, stop talking and take several deep breaths. Count to ten or repeat a mantra, like “I am calm, cool, and collected."  If you feel yourself getting too heated, excuse yourself for a moment and return when you feel calm.  Think about why you're feeling this way. Was it a simple misunderstanding? How much control do you have over this? Use this time to gather and organize your thoughts—identify the source of your anger so that you can clearly articulate what you are upset about. When you meet with your friend, do not make excuses or place the blame on them. Instead, accept responsibility for your role in the conflict. Focus on expressing yourself calmly and rationally.  Use “I statements” to identify and take ownership of your feelings.  Be as specific as possible. “I felt angry when you left me at the party.” Avoid the words “ought” and “should,” as well as the phrases, “I feel like___” and “I feel that__.” These transform I-statements into You-statements. Avoid yelling. After you have expressed yourself, allow your friend to share their emotions with you. It may be hard for you to hear what they say, but try not to interrupt. It is important that they feel heard and valued. Sit quietly and actively listen to what they are saying.  When your friend is talking, put away all distractions, such as your phone or computer. Maintain eye contact with your friend. Lean forwards and tilt your head slightly to demonstrate that you are engaged. Mirror your friend’s body language. After actively listening to your friend, set aside your point of view and desire to be right and empathize with them. Explaining the conflict from your friend’s perspective assure them that you were in fact listening. It also demonstrates that you are prepared to accept responsibility for your actions and prepared to move forward.  ”I can see how my actions made you feel ____.” ”I didn’t realize I hurt you by ____.” Avoid the word “but.” This word indicates that you did not actually see the issue from your friend’s perspective. Instead, replace “but” with “and.”

SUMMARY:
Find a time to meet with your friend. Remain calm throughout the discussion. Explain your feelings and actions. Allow your friend to openly share their feelings. Acknowledge that you heard and understand your friend’s perspective.