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I'm wondering something else: do you use soap to clean the water? There might have been some residual soap left from cleaning, or something as simple as a little splash of soap that got into it might have done it.

BettaGirl, your posts up there are so funny [first post] Rusty is doing great! [second post] I'm kinda worried about Rusty... <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Seriously though Isaacsheart, I went through the long and drawn out death of my first fish, and thought I wouldn't get another because I was worried I'd kill that one too. But if you learn from this experience, you can give another betta an even better home. Like BG, I'm the proud owner of a healthy fish now, and I've learned not to freak out so easily over small issues. Usually when a fish gets sick, it can be aleviated by clean water. Even if water changes aren't the most convenient (such as in a dorm..water changes are very fun over here...) Plus, you sound like a great betta parent!

Isaacsheart I'm so sorry you lost your poor Azreal. The others are right, you sound like a great betta Mom so don't give up on these little guys.

Okay guys...I went to the pet store today to get some salt for the tank, right...well, of course I have to look at all the fish in the delightfully big fish room, and I rreeeaaaallllyyy want to get a big 10 gallon now! That'll teach me to study the fish (I also saw several crowntail bettas that I wish I had room for!) There is always something about a tank with more than one fish in it that's so much fun to watch! I have no idea where I would put it, especially now that I'm in a dorm, and it would have to be moved a few times a year...I also don't want to stress the fishes out...I also have no idea what kind of fish would make good community fish. The Mollies were really cool though. I thought about upgrading my betta to a big tank, but I dunno, he seems very happy where he is now...

So I dunno guys...what do you think? I would probably get the tank over the summer, but that would mean I'd have to move it when the school year begins, and I'm not too sure that a tank travels very well, and I wouldn't want to screw up the cycle by emptying it. I could cart the water over in a closed container perhaps. Or I could just forget about the big tank for another few years until I am settled somewhere I will stay for a longer period of time (but that's so long!!)

Ideas?

It probably wouldn't be worth the effort Elise...If I were you I would hold off until you have a perminant place for it. You could get one of those 2 1/2 gallon hex tanks with the bubbler and keep a few in that. It's big enough for a heater and you could keep a few smaller fish in one...also small enough to up and move when you have to. IF you get a good substrate you could do a few live low light plants like anubias, java moss/fern, amazon sword...and even a small piece of driftwood for interest sake. A good dark color substrate like Echo Complete would look very nice.

Look for some online info on "nano tanks". You can find some really neat ideas on keeping smaller tanks at some of those sites. I would search those out before you buy anything so that you don't jump into it and then find out there was something else you wanted that's way cooler..lol.

Have fun !

lol elise, I went to the pet store today to look at 2, 2.5, and 3 gallon tanks, I went to a SuperPet and they had a whole shelf for bettas!! I was in heaven!! I saw crowntails for the first time and I am in love. Wow do I need to get that job now!! Here's to hoping I get a call back!! My room will become overcrowded with adorable bettas!! I saw at least three that I wanted to take home with me. I have definitely opened a can of worms here. I think I would have an easier time staying away if fish were more expensive then 4 - 7 dollars!!!!
I picked up another alternative food, and once again not paying attention, get home and realise my hopeful new exciting food for Redfish is..... bloodworms... which I just bought last night!!! Because I let my mom know that they will both soon be moving into much bigger tanks, she almost bought me a bunch of different fish!! I'm so excited!! She was going to get me a cory(can't remember or spell rest), or two, a bunch of tetras, she saw so many she liked <img src="/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> and she was asking my sister if a betta can live with Albino frogs, because the neon tetras there had 6 or 7 albino frogs living with them. I felt silly, I saw one floating, without noticing the others, and I immediately assumed he was dead <img src="/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />my sister made fun of me for that! Lol. <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> As I've been typing I just noticed all Redfish' bloodworms are gone!!!!!! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Darn that bugger for having spoiled tastebuds!! Bluefish ate his right away, but he always eats right away. Lol. Well I think that's all my exciting news for now!!
Oh, except, can albino frogs live with bettas? or corys? Thanks again!!!! <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Quick little update, Redfish is swimming happily around!! He even came to the front to look at me, and continued swimming happily about he's still doing it! The closest he's come to his plant is above!! Not underneath!! YAY BLOODWORMS!! <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />:D

Thanks everyone for all the reassuring that you have given me, even though I only joined yesterday. I know that Azreal is not hurting anymore but I still miss him. He used to be right here beside my computer and I would talk to him everyday when I sat here, so it is kinda lonley here now.

But today, I went out and bought a brand new, 10 gallon tank and I am going to put it together, piece by piece and make sure that there are NO problems before I get my new betta. It may take a while, but I am going to spoil this new fish rotton and make sure that everything is perfect.

This fish is going to be an investment and I am going to make sure that everything is great for my new betta when I get him, plenty of places to hide and move around, the water is perfect, and the filter is tip top.

-nod nod nod-

Great news Isaac ! Do read up about cycling a tank if you don't know how to do that. Make sure the tank is fully cycled before you put a betta in it or his fins will not do well. Have fun setting that all up ! For me that's one of the things about this hobby that's the most fun..next to actually buying the fish and bringing them home..lol..

Mashi, those albino frogs are probably clawed frogs...NOT a good mix with any kind of fish. They get very large and will eat everything in the tank that moves..lol..too bad the fish stores don't tell folks that.

You could get an African DWARF Frog with your betta. They stay small and will not eat your fish..lol. You can tell the difference between the two types by looking at thier front toes. The nasty clawed frogs don't have webbing between thier front toes..the african dwarf frogs (ADFs) do. Also, the eyes on the clawed frogs are more on the top of thier heads and the ADFs are in a more "normal" position.

I'm so glad to hear that you're going ahead full force Isaac! When we get settled in our new place I've been thinking about adfs too. (No room in a .5 gallon lol) This is an awesome forum for advice when you have questions or concerns. Keep us posted about how it's going. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Yeppers, bought the tank and the gravel yesterday, and the filter is probably going to be the next thing that I get my hands on. Money is just tight right now until I get my tax refund check so that will be good. But I have a 10 gallon tank and gravel, but I did not know you could put like frogs with a betta fish like that??

Is there any other kind of fish that can get along with a betta cause I got a big enough tank now that I can really do something pretty. But I need to know what is a good idea and what isn't?


Thanks!