BellaOnline Forums Home and Garden Fish Betta Hospital

So as you all probably know by now, I work at a pet store in the fish department. Well, today was a bad day for our betta's. While I was doing other things, someone poured two betta's together. Us having about 60 betta's at the moment, I didn't notice it until one of the fish was badly injured and the other moderately injured. I isolated them and gave them clean water.

Later this afternoon, a co-worker of mine found another set of betta's in the same cup, both moderately injured. Again, I isolated them and put them in fresh water. While feeding the 60-some betta's we have on the floor, I also noticed one with pop-eye (very obvious) and isolated him and gave him fresh water.

Since they can't really get proper care in the store with how many people we have in the department, I am allowed to adopt any injured or sick betta's. Since yesterday, I aquired seven, five of which are still alive. (the one's I got yesterday were also fight survivors.)

First of all, I would like to vent my frustration with ignorant people who decide to pour two betta's together just to get a sort of testosterone fix. In my eyes, it's the same as dog-fighting or any other type of animal creulty in the form of forced fights.

Second of all, I have a question. What do you think is the best way to treat these guys? So far I have been giving them clean water with salt and a few drops of betta fix. I don't know if I should try the seven day treatment with the bettafix because the water gets so nasty. Should I change it everyday, adding a few drops to ward off infection? Should I use the bettafix at all? Would the medication help at all if the water is changed every day? I would just like to give these guys the best chance possible. Any input is appreciated <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Erin,

Are you sure those fish aren't just hopping into each others cups on thier own?? My fry do that on occasion. I have two now that I am treating for fin injuries for that reason.

The second one I'm not sure of, but the first set I'm sure that they were poured together. One of the cups was almost empty and the other (with the two betta's in it) was filled to the brim.

Now THAT's just plain mean...not to mention messing with things that don't belong to you. I would bet it's teenage boys...

i woukd suggest placing a sign in plain view in english and spanish stating NOT to put bettas together, they will die. or something along those lines.

Lol Mel....you sure that wouldn't just encourage those who hadn't even thought of doing such a thing? Human nature being what it is and all...

hmm...that never occured to me. people suck sometimes EMG don't they?

at the least, with a note, ignorance couldn't be an excuse...

I agree. It must be young boys. They seem to sometimes enjoy things like this. We were all young once and I am sure we all remember doing somthing at some poitn that would get us in trouble. These youngest kids just don't think that these fish have feelings, like we know they do. It is really sad. I have known them to jump in to other bowls (remember my friend who had the divider tank and the Beta jumped to the other side?). I have even seen Betta's in my local fish store dried up next to their container because they jumped out and no one notices.
Animal Planet or Discovery chanel has the top 10 most extreme, and one day they were doing the top 10 most extreme fighters. I think these fish were number 3 or something like that. It is sad, but these things happen.

It is nice that there is at least someone at that store willing to help these poor little guys.

I went to Petco last night and almost bought the most unusual colored betta -- it was in shades from pale bronze, to lime green to coral. Absolutely gorgeous.

I complained to the staff that all their poor boys were swimming in nasty water, so they took them to the back to "change the water", but they never came back out. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

The one I really liked was taken out, quickly had a water change and the guy brought him back to me. Once the water was clean I noticed a white rim on his upper lip, and his mouth was a different shape than the other bettas I've seen. I wondered if it was some kind of injury or fungus or something. I asked the employee, and he shrugged and said, "Don't know."

After my experience with Frazz, I just couldn't bring myself to buy him. I'll check for him next week at the store, and if he's still there, I'll reconsider buying him.