BellaOnline Forums Home and Garden Fish I figured out one problem I've had

You all may be saying, "Well, duh!" but I finally figured out what may have been the cause of my bettas getting so sick and dying.

I have been using the same net for all my fish. :rolleyes: When Pinky died, I used the net to get him out of the tank, then I used it on Grapel, and on Glitz. I feel like Typhoid Mary! Glitz is now lethargic, hanging out at the top of her tank, etc. I'm praying that she doesn't die too.

And I'm buying a new net!!!!!!!!!!

Nan

Wow Nann....that stinks! <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

I know that I'm not terribly careful with ailines ands stuff going from one tank to another...That's something I really should pay attention to. I haven't had any major illnesses recently, just that dang finrot..and all of them are in that 10 gallon divided. I am wondering if 4 bettas in a 10 gallon are too many..even though I take out a good 10% every week, sometimes 20%.

I have to say that all the bettas I have in those 1 gallon aquascene tanks are doing just fine..and they are my oldest fish! I ended up taking out all of the undergravel filters in the tanks because I had noticed that the tank without one had less algea than the others. I'm thinking those tanks are really the best to use.

The 5 gallon divided I have seems to be doing fine though..but the fish I have in there are all smallish babies..not fully grown. I wonder if that tank will get overstocked when they growout. Hope not!

Ya know, I hate it when I type up a whole answer and the stupid site dumps it.

Poor Glitz didn't even respond to Camille kitty when she came up to drink out of her vase today. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

She's just hanging out on top of the tank with her mouth at the surface.
Nan

Poor Glitzie.... <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Nann...have you tried a copper treatment? I wonder if it's some kind of parasite that's going from one fish to the other..Has to be something! Have there been any changes in the water lately?... Are you washing your hands with a different kind of soap or using handcreme or anything that could be getting into the water?? There must be something that's different or some illness that is going from one fish to the other....must be frustrating! <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

What a relief, Glitz is her old self again today. I put some bettafix in her water yesterday, and moved her vase back to the place it used to be -- all of 1 foot! She's swimming around and her tail and fins are all flared out again. Hurrah! I think she's going to be ok.

Plus, when I went to the fish store to buy a net I discovered 2 new boys in dire need of a loving home. I know, big surprise! One is a whitish teal and a sort of cross between a veil tail and crowntail. The other is bluish red. I put him in with the oto and baby frog after I totally cleaned out the tank -- I took out the undergravel filter and the gravel, it looks really bare! But I can see the yuckies on the bottom plain as day.

I put teal in with Froggle. Froggle seems to be pouting. I think he liked having a whole tank to himself.

Nan

Good for you Nann !....I was afraid you would give up on the bettas after all that bad luck..glad to see you haven't! <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Glad to know that Glitz is feeling better too. Good idea taking out the gravel and all..even though it makes it sort of bare. I have one 10 gallon that I use for fry which has no gravel either. At first I thought I wouldn't like it but actually, with all the live plants I have in there and the drift log it looks pretty cool..real natural like. When the bottom is all cleaned you can see the fish's reflection on the bottom.

seeing the poops is nice! even with CLEAR HUGE pebbles in nebbies 3 gallon, i still can barely see them! i think he hides his poop, cause he gets mad when i take them!

do you guys have this problem, with bettas being territorial about poos?

and im very happy that glitz is feeling better! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Me too Sthenno! Happy for the both of you!

I have found that bettas in general don't like ANYTHING being poked into their little worlds...even the cleaning lady! Everytime I put my little fingers in there for one reason or another, they swoosh right over and give me a few pecks. Now, I'd like to think these are little love taps and "Hi, how ya doin" jabs...but, I think I know better...lol.