I can't stand it!
I've somehow killed another Beta fish.
I just don't know what I've done wrong. Something is happening after I clean his container, because this one and the last both died shortly after I cleaned them.
These are supposed to be one of the easiest fish to care for. Not for me. It hasn't even been two full months, and I've lost another one.
I pity the next Betta fish that comes into my house.
In the past, I've kept them alive for a long time. But lately, something has gone wrong. Last night, right after changing his water he slowed down his swimming, wouldn't eat, and before the night was up, he was dead at the bottom of the tank.
In my mind, I ran through what I did. I got poured some water out into a container, used a little net to take him out of the clear box he's in and moved him while I cleaned it. I cleaned the rocks and the tank without soap, just my clean hands and a paper towel. I made sure the clean new water was the same temp as it was when I removed him. I put in the blue stuff to take out the chemicals, and with the net, put him back in.
What am I missing here? These fish can live for years!
My last two fish die after I clean the tanks. I am really screwing up on something here but I can't figure it out.
Sure I can go to PetSmart and get another one (and why do they have to keep them in colored water? They are so pretty without it). But I wanted that one! I wanted it to live!
I'm going to read online to see how others care for their Bettas, but it really saddens me.
I feel like a total failure today. Really depressed about it.
In a way, it is just a dumb fish. I shouldn't be so attached. Not like it was a dog or a cat.
But believe it or not, I am a nurturer. I want to care for things and do well at it. Even plants.
You have no idea how excited I was to see my pumpkin seeds sprout! Then they grew long and eventually they began to bloom. I got the tiny-est pumpkin growing before the summer heat stayed at 100+ degrees. I watered often, checked on them daily, but I couldn't stop them from shriveling up. I didn't even get one pumpkin to grow. That is very depressing.
I wouldn't make it as a farmer would I?
Just a little success. That's all I want. Is that asking too much?
Vegetables that grow. Pets that stay alive. I am not setting my goals too high am I?
At some point this week, I will get another fish.
But when it comes time to clean his water, I am going to be scared stiff.
I only use bottled water for my small fish tanks, it seems to work better. Not sure what size container your betta is in but anything smaller than one gallon is too small. I've only had good success with my bettas in regular fish aquariums with full filtration.
Did you place the fish in tap water while cleaning the tank? When I was about 10, my family tried keeping goldfish but they kept dying. Found out Ft. Bragg added something to the water, to clean it. It wasn't harmful to human but it was killing our fish. After our 5th fish, we gave up.
Ok, I'm off to work on the MM.
Don't feel bad. My fish seem to like be expiring when I clean their tank too.... and I never have fish die.
Don't feel bad. My fish seem to like be expiring when I clean their tank too.... and I never have fish die.
I made the mistake of putting my beta in a community fish tank with all my other fish. Even though the other fish are normally docile and get along well with others, the betta seemed to be a threat to them and they had bitten his fins off and killed him before I noticed the altracation. Every betta I've ever had hasn't made it past a month. However, my best friend has the best luck with bettas. I think she has a total of 7 in tiny bowls in her room now.
I was told to just put out regular tap water out 24-48 hours before you clean the container the fish is in (so the cholorine will evaporate). I suppose it depends on what kind of water you have, etc. But using bottled drinking water will work too. Most tap water will probly kill you :P I don't believe in putting chemicals in their water. Just seems kind of counterproductive to me. I have 3 betta's and they're all fairly healthy.
1. Set out water (and cover it with a towel) 24-48 hours before you use it. This'll bring the water to room tempature.
2. Dump fishy into seperate container.
3. Clean container with warm water, no soap. I pour my rocks into a colander and rinse them well.
4. Put rocks back in container and fill it 3/4 with water. Dump fishy (I use my hands, but a net will work) into container. Fill up rest of container and put fishy back where he goes.
I wait 2-3 hours to feed them to get use to his environment again. Oh, and when you do feed them, do it on some sort of regular schedule. Mine is M-W-F, 3-5 pellets of food, depending on how much he'll eat. This seems to work for me. Also, putting them in a stress free atmosphere will help. Like, a tall bookshelf that you don't normally bang into.
Just a guess, but I'm betting that the problem is going to be in the process you're using to remove the chemicals from the new water. In addition to chlorine, you need to be concerned about excess amounts of dissolved oxygen, along with whatever weird minerals might be in your tap water. Check your "blue stuff" to see exactly what it does and how long it requires to take effect; some things don't do all that's necessary. For example, a dechlorinator might not do proper "water conditioning."
You can also call a specialty store (aquarium store) in the area and ask them what you need to add to the water. They'll be familiar with the area's water quirks and should be able to well advise you.
Best of luck!
Judging from the condition i've seen some of those beta's in in the pet store it doesn't surprise me that some die shortly after you get them home.
They are so beautiful i've been tempted to buy one myself but i just can't encourage the latest fad that seems to have gripped the pet stores.
I know this doesn't necessarily include where you got yours from but even in some of the biggest and well known stores i've seen some deplorable conditions.
Hundreds of betas in cups of dirty water laying at the bottom dying. And like you say "they are just fish" but it kills me all the same.
Is this just where i live or all over?
NOT BEING EXPERT OR ANY THING.bUT i LEARNRS THAT WHEN YOU CHANGET TE WATER ALWAYS LEAVE ONE THIRD THE AOUNT OF DIRTY WATER TO REFILLING THE TAP WATER.aND A GOOD WAY TO KEEP YOUR LANDSCAPE CLEAN IS TO POUR THE WATER INTO A CONTAINER.ANOTHER TRICK IS TO LEAVE WATER FROM THE TAP THAT YOUR GOING TO USE OPEN IN A CONTAINER FOR A WEEK OR MORE TO LET THE CHEMICALS FILTRATE OUT.THIS DONE BY PLACING IT NEAR A WINDOW TO ALL OW PHOTOSYNETHSIS OF THE ALGAE GROWING ON TH GLASS.
Wow, you people have some high maintenance fishies! I have had a beta for well over a year possibly closer to two and never had any probs with him. I talk to him alot which he loves (his little fins go crazy fast and he swims back and forth in his tank). My hubby thinks I am mad for doing so but who cares? As far as cleaning his tank goes (which is a one gallon octagonal tank btw), I just pour out most of his water into the sink with him still in it and then pour him and a little bit of his water into a cup. I then clean out the tank WITH soap and rinse it well. He doesn't have any rocks so that is the extent of it. I then add some lukewarm water back into the tank and add about a half teaspoon of Stress Coat water conditioner to the water. I then fish his little fishy butt out of the cup and plop him back into his water. We talk a little bit and I throw in some Beta Bites and off I go. He rocks!
I have 7 bettas, the one I've had the longest has been around since March. One of them got sick recently and stopped eating, but we were able to save it with lots of extra care. =)
I agree with CDC up there... Except I don't use tap water. We have one of those water filter pitcher things, and I filter out all the water before I put it in the tanks. I use the stress coat stuff too. And they have aquarium salt for freshwater fish. I add 1-2 pellets with each water change.
I also talk to my fishies. I make faces, growl at them, or smile at them. We hold different things up to the bowl to see how they will react. Betta fishes DO recognize you, so they know if you aren't paying attention to them.
Mine are all happy little fishies though. =D
Good luck with the new fish.
Is that a Monty Python quote I see in the subject line?
You know a pet is pet and it doesn't matter if it is a dog, a rat or a fish. It is still sad when they pass away. :(
Does your blue chemical remover remove chlorine? I've found that our city's water is quite deadly without a few drops of chlorine-b-gone. best bet is to just buy distilled water at your local convenience mart.
It's okay. He's in a better place.
I just have to laugh about this, simply because I took care of my brother's Beta fish for three weeks, and it died two days after I gave it back. I guess the poor little fishy's heart was broken when he left me...
You should send your Beta fish here. My son's friend is moving to North Carolina and we've been fish-sitting for over three weeks. I think he's officially adopted after a month.
That's the problem, you cleaned the tank! :D Actually, I've had mine in a large vase on my desk since January. The one I had before this lived for over 2 years. And I'm a bad fish mommy - I always forget to clean the water. When I do, I always use bottled water, and let it sit out for a day first.
I've had the worst luck with fish. My brother used to call my fish tank "Wyrdsister's Sespool of Death (tm)." Needless to say, I won't be giving you any fish advice! But I'll be interested in reading about how your future fishy adventures turn out. Good luck! >++
I was just researching the same thing, in a way. I just bought my first betta and I wanted to know how to and how often to clean his tank. The info I can offer you is that you should not clean all the water. I've seen several times that you should cup out no more than 40% of the water, treat more and dump it in to fill. If you take more than that out, you will remove all the good bacteria as well as the old. Also, you will be stressing the fish every time you net him/her out of the tank. If you have a plant, you shouldn't mix up/clean the rocks either. That's what I have. I hope it helps.
I was just researching the same thing, in a way. I just bought my first betta and I wanted to know how to and how often to clean his tank. The info I can offer you is that you should not clean all the water. I've seen several times that you should cup out no more than 40% of the water, treat more and dump it in to fill. If you take more than that out, you will remove all the good bacteria as well as the old. Also, you will be stressing the fish every time you net him/her out of the tank. If you have a plant, you shouldn't mix up/clean the rocks either. That's what I have. I hope it helps.
Well, I just killed my beta too. He was such a vigorous, happy fellow. I changed all of his water using distilled water, but he came with instructions to change only 1/3 of the water once a week - I should have heeded that advice.
I too killed my fish Ishy last night. It it is interesting that my fish did exactly the same thing as Flynn. He looked like he was gasping for air, darting back and forth and then hid behind the plant. Usually when I tap on the tank, he snaps out of it but this time he just wouldn't do. This morning he took a nose dive and turned white. Now I am looking at his empty bowl and feel like crying. Darned fish made me attached! Am reluctant to get another. Starting to become an advocate of letting animals thrive in native environment. He did look upset the first time I set him in a bowl (was over a gallon bowl). I felt guilty even then. I too changed his water last night using a filered tap. It may have been too warm for him and I probably should have left it settle. I miss him!!!
DON'T USE DISTILLED WATER!!!! It's PH deficient! Killed mine last night by only pouring a cup or 2 of distilled water in to replace what had evaporated. Damn damn damn!
I just got a Beta? It lives in a hexagon-shaped 1 1/2 cups plastic tank. It has no filter. How often should I clean the tank?
I have 4 fish - they are doing fine - I change the water when it gets clowdy
I've had them for a couple of months
I use tap water - with a chemical specifically for Beta's environment and using with tap water
They are active - I got one small bowl, and placed it inside a larger one - the two of them can swim right next to each other and strut their stuff
I have 4 fish - they are doing fine - I change the water when it gets clowdy
I've had them for a couple of months
I use tap water - with a chemical specifically for Beta's environment and using with tap water
They are active - I got one small bowl, and placed it inside a larger one - the two of them can swim right next to each other and strut their stuff
I've had my beautiful beta for almost four years. Yesterday, I did a water change. I only use spring bottled water( fit for drinking). Well, I bought the very last container of water at Target.Unbeknownst to me, distilled water is bad for fish.(Damn those Target employees should stock shelves more often).Anyway, Betty is floating at the top of her tank. She's not totally lifeless yet but her condition may worsen by morning.
i had a gold fish at home but after i changed the water the fish started to be up side down what should i do ?
I'm going home and changing the water (I've been using tap by itself). Oh, in order to breed, do I need to put my baby female in with the male-once she is bigger? Or what do I do if I want her to produce ?
I have had my betta for 4 months now,in a small betta bowl with lid,use only bottled water with betta water conditionner init,eats freeze dried worms. the last week he just started to swim around his bowl very fast and doesn't eat anymore,all he ever does is swim very frightened and hitting the bowl from side to side and hitting the bottom,he also appears to have tigger stripes on his tail and they seem to be getting paper thin(see thru)he had a white spot on his chin. I have betta fix that I would give him whenever he showed signs of fin rot,but that hasn't been for a while now...any ideas? thanks
i just bought (4 hours ago) a betta fish and named him samuel, sam for short. he is really beautiful, but i was concerned about his water habitats. after reading some of these comments, ive concluded bottled water was the best thing to put him in right away, and for his first water change i'll use tap water that has sat for 24-48 hours under a towel. i'll let you know how it goes!
I just got a fish with Aimee...i named him Lenny. When i got him home i did like a little book told me so i sat it in the same room as the water in the bowl(pretty big bowl) for 20 mins like it said and put it in. So far all is well but is it okay if i put rocks in after the 1st clean or should i just keep it as is. I used tap water that sat in the room Lenny will be in for 2 1/2 days for the chlorine to disapate...i think if all goes well ill just use warm tap water thats sat for a couple days to chenge it....DO a full water change every 4-6 weeks says my booklet and only take out 1/3 of water weekly. I'll let u no how Len's doin.
I've had my fish for a lil less than a week and the colorey fins on the bottom are tearing off. I bought a remedy to cure fungus on bettas, any idea how long it takes for it to be cured/time to live if not cured?
Hey guys...my fish Lenny died of a fungus. I recommend putting them in spring water not tap. I am going to get a Lenny the 2nd and take much better care of him.
Don't worry stop buying whatever blue stuff your buying and start using Betta Bowl Essential. It works really good with my betta Benny.
Ive had my beeta for about 2-3 months now..and its doing preety goood... i keep it in a small quart typee plastic container..kinda sucks...but i tried a gallon bowl n my betta freaked out!! it got so depresed in the darn bowl..wudnt move...so i put it bak in the small container..eats well n all..i do a 40% water change everyday..partialy to take care of the temperature n make sure the water's warm enuff!!
I just bought 2 male beta fish and was wondering if it was ok to have them in 2 different bowls but right next to each other. They keep flaring up at each other so I dont know if I should put something in between them every now and then so that they cant see each other....any comments?
i have two bettas and i am new to the world of fish tending. My bettas seem to have this film on their water that wont go away no matter how often i change the water. The film is weird, it looks like a thin layer of wax, and when the water is stired up it leaves a white substance everywhere. This is happening in both bowls. I m not sure if it is normal or not, or whether or not my poor little fishes can still breathe. Someone help please!
Hey, I just got a beta a little over a week ago, but I've been taking care of fish ever since I can remember, some have lived for 10 years! which is a lot for me since i usually get goldfish, and every one elses seem to pass a WHOLE lot faster ;)
Anyway, I have a feeling that when you change the water you didn't wait for everything to absorb and calm down. I used to let the new tank sit over night, but i find a fewhours would do. Make surethat you have the right bowl conditioner.
Also, I feed him a little while..about 20-30 minutes after he's been in the fresh tank.
I'm no expert, this is just stuff that i find works for me ;0)
Goodluck...hey, lemme know how your new fishes are.
Well my beta has been alright for about 7 months now and i only used tap water and never kept any old water left for the bacteria is that bad or should i keep doing this because he is use to it now?
I just bought my first Beta fish yesterday and I'm quite nervous about how to take care of him. He lives in a small bowl and I bought water conditioner. I'm not sure exactly how many drops I should use. Also would it be better to use the drops or just use tap water that's been sitting out, or use both, aged water along with the drops? Instead of buying distilled water, I was thinking of just using a water bottle that I already have and just keep it filled with tap water for a few days, so that way I'll already have aged water ready available. That should be ok, right?
Is it safe to use bottled drinking water once I clean out my fish tank? I'm asking before I do anything because I dont want to wake up in the morning and my fishy is dead. If someone would be so kind to respond, I'd appreciate it... and so would my fish... thanks a bunch.
MY BETTA WONT EAT AND IVE HAD HIM FOR LIKE 2 WEEKS
I just lost my beta fish, I bought it for me girlfriend and she's going away so I took care of him. I like the fish more then she did, I named him Spitz cuz he spitz his pellets out all the time. He died I think cuz I cared too much for him I changed him 2 or 3 times a week, but I never kept his old water. I think I might have put too much chlor out in too (sorry spitzy). I out him back in his bowl and then he started swimmin like crazy, i tried to move him back to better water but with no sucess. I buried him today, I bought him in Aug 2004 he died may 2 2005:(.
I am breeding betta's for the first time and I am having a little trouble. I've been trying to breed them for a little over 3 days.I was having trouble at first but on the 3rd day my female was finally ready to breed but my male is'nt really doing anything. Can you tell me whats going on?