BellaOnline Forums Home and Garden Fish Fish Journal - BETTAS ONLY

I was wondering how often I should test my water? I also purhcased a floating aquarium thermometer,and I am wondering if I should use any suction cups or anything to keep it in place? I also bought Stress Zyme. Should I add more every time I do water changes?

Well...I have a new favorite....can you believe it, I actually went and bought ANOTHER one!!
oO(someone PLEASE call the wagon! Quick! :rolleyes: )

Here's a link to the pic I posted at the 'rate a pic' page.

http://www.bellaonline.com/misc/rateme/photos/photo2011.jpg

He's Gorgeous! <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Well, I euthenized Opal. She finally started to hang around on the bottom and was having difficulty swimming very well. I'm not surprised, she had gotten so fat with fluid that her back was arched and she swam with her head up and belly pointing down. Poor girl <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

That's ok because I consoled myself with the purchase of my Golden friend up there...I'm hopeless! :rolleyes:

holy moly that boy IS gorgeous!! if Opal had been able to stick around i would've thought they'd be a perfect pair to breed. i'm jealous. <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Mel, I have this LFS that gets beautiful bettas. It has been a long time since I had visited this place..what with all the fry I have and all...but it just never fails that about every time I go in there they have something worth bringing home. I had actually determined that I would not bring anymore veiltails home...but...well, I couldn't walk out without this fella! <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Mel, I actually have these females from my spawn..that seem to be greenish. They look like opaques..very pale and colorless but when I put them near a male they color right up to a light greenish bronze like color. Weird, but I think one will match well with this golden fella.

I am new here (joined to ask a question about one of our bettas) and I don't know if I am posting this in the correct place (hopefully so).

2 weeks ago our betta wasn't looking so good (had a bump or swelling on the top of its head and its mouth looked like a duck bill). The gal at the pet store said it had a fungus inside which was causing swelling. She sold me Splendid Betta BettaFix Remedy. I put in the appropriate amount daily and the fish was looking much better. Then suddenly last night the fish is half laying at the top of the bowl and has lost all its color. This was a beautiful black betta with bits of red and now it looks almost a greyish white and the red is very pale.

I have just read on here about adding salt (I guess I can get the appropriate salt at the fish store?) and warming the bowl I can put a warm towel around it and a lamp over it which gets pretty hot.

Is there anything else I can do? She looks miserable. I gave her food and she took a piece and then went crazy swimming quickly in circles for several seconds and then sunk to the bottom of the bowl and lay there with her gills and mouth working hard. At first it looked like labored breathing, but then I think she had the food stuck and couldn't get it down.

I also read about putting the betta in the freezer as a humane way of not letting them suffer. I hate to do this if there is any hope at all.

Since the pet shop people didn't tell me about the salt or warmth, I don't think they can tell me anything else.

Any help out there for our betta?

Thanks!
Denise

Denise,
Sounds like you're doing the right things for her. Doc Wellfish Aquarium Salt is what most of us use for our bettas. Some just drop a couple of chunks in the water, while others dissolve it first.

Also make sure her water is super clean. Since she's lying on the bottom, she's lying in her own poop. The lamp and towel would help increase the water temp. Good luck!

Thanks Nannynan,
I did change the water this morning (i was afraid the shock would kill him, but figured it was better than doing nothing). The light and towel did warm up the water and amazingly his color is totally back! Unfortuanately he did not make it. How long do Bettas typically live? We have had him for around 3 years (maybe a little longer?). I wonder if his age had anything to do with not being able to make it (of course I don't know if he is young or old or just middle age!)

I am taking my son to get another beta and will pick up the aquarium salt as well (do you put in a little each time you change the water?)

I have heard to never change the water out totally (but it gets SO gross)what does everyone here do? Do you only get the water super clean if the fish is sick?

Thanks!

Denise

Hello Denise,

You folks have done super well if you had your betta for 3 years. That is considered old age for a betta. Whatever you have been doing for him I would keep doing it for that new fella you pick up ! <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />