Betta Fish: Update: Mom bought me a betta

Took the day off work. Drove to Walmart and two pet stores and got most of the stuff that y’all recommended (Thank you to everyone who commented on my original post! It got more attention than I expected so I didn’t thank everyone individually.)

Right now, the tank is half-full with treated water (dechlorination and the cycle starter). There’s a heater and sponge filter (I think; I wasn’t 100% clear on what that meant) along with two plants, a piece of wood, and bulbs for a few more plants.

And the acrylic block (aka, the “original tank”) is sitting in the half-full tank so the water can be mostly acclimated before I fill it and let the fish try to swim out.

Also got a siphon gravel cleaner and a net and bucket. As well as some freeze dried blood worms to supplement the food.

Any other advice is much appreciated.

But I did want to clarify a few things with regards to my mother. Yes, I’m annoyed that she bought us a pet without consulting us, but she did mean well. She already had this tank and bought us a fish and some food and gave it to us already in the “tank” so we wouldn’t have to worry about spending money on anything. She already had her “tank” from a previous fish.

Probably 10-15 years ago she bought or won a fish in that tank with the shells and fake plant already in it. That fish lived over a year and she replaced it with another one. She cleaned it every week by dumping out all the water, including the fish, through the 2-inch hole, replacing the water, and then pouring the fish back in.

I look forward to seeing this fish enjoy the plants and bigger living space.