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A Little Survivor Who Never Eats!

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ransome.c

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So I bought a beautiful male betta fish about a month ago now.

I followed the pet shops instructions, as I've only ever had goldfish before, and bought a medium size square vase. I put some big pebbles in the bottom and a small plastic plant.

I can't afford to buy a heater for this fishie but was told he should be ok if he sats over 18 degreesC.

But, he really isn't ok. Since I got him, I haven't seen him eat one piece of food. I've been offering it one 'Pro Balance Betta' fish pellet every day or second day and it usually drops down to the pebbles. I still don't see him chase after it! I clean out the vase every week or so to get rid of the food, but I've never seen him do poos!

I really don't understand how it's still alive!! Can the Betta's absorb nutrients from their water?

Anyway, tonight he's been going crazy, every now and then jumping all of a sudden. I fear I've not looked after it properly, but I feel helpless. He tends to hang out at the top of the vase a fair bit, but just as much at the bottom.

I've considered trying him on a different food, but does anyone else have any ideas of how I can improve my fishies quality of life? :(

Thanks

Claire
 
wats size tank is it
and the temp i think is to cold for a betta so would need a heater
how often do u do water changes on it
 
liamg1285 said:
wats size tank is it
and the temp i think is to cold for a betta so would need a heater
how often do u do water changes on it
Click to expand...

The tank is pretty small, probably about a litre. The temperature is usually ranges between 17 and 21 degrees C. At night time it'd cool down. I just tried to change fishies water and it jumped out on to the ground when I was transferring it. We put it back in and he seems ok for now but i'm a bit shocked and so is fishie.

Maybe he will go to heaven soon...I'm trying my best...
 
A litre is way too small for a betta, and he does need heated water. I keep mine at about 28 degrees C. Also, you may have high ammonia levels in your water - you really need to be changing the water say every other day as I guess you have not fit a filter in there? Go look at the New to the hobby section and read all about cycling - it will help a lot. And then get your fishy a heater, and a larger tank - you can even use a larger plastic box if you can't afford a tank yet, just make sure it is very well washed if you have used it before. You can fit a heater into something plastic, just use a heater guard and suckers to hold it away from the sides :)
 
tibby25731 said:
A litre is way too small for a betta, and he does need heated water. I keep mine at about 28 degrees C. Also, you may have high ammonia levels in your water - you really need to be changing the water say every other day as I guess you have not fit a filter in there? Go look at the New to the hobby section and read all about cycling - it will help a lot. And then get your fishy a heater, and a larger tank - you can even use a larger plastic box if you can't afford a tank yet, just make sure it is very well washed if you have used it before. You can fit a heater into something plastic, just use a heater guard and suckers to hold it away from the sides :)
Click to expand...

Ok, thanks for the advice. I will have to look into it. Lets just see if he lasts the night after his little holiday on my bathroom floor!
At the pet shop there were Bettas in the smallest little vases and bowls. I almost thought mine was generously sized compared to those. I guess pet shops can be quite cruel sometimes.
 
Petshops usually keep them in cups and things just to save on space since the bettas can't be kept together, and can't really be kept in tanks with too many other kinds of fish.
People mistake the cups as being an OK size for bettas or think that the bettas only need a small space to live.
Don't beat yourself up about it. We all mess up at one time or another (multiple times).
The best thing you can do, is to get that betta a bigger tank. If you live where there's a Walmart, they sell really nice 5gal hexagon tanks for I think maybe $30-40. Comes with a built in light and filter in the hood.
If you can't afford that right now, then as tibby suggested... a little storage bin will do just fine until you can get smething else. You can get one that holds 5 gals for a few dollars.
Pop in a cheap filter (you can get bubble filters for $10), and a heater (you can get cheap ones, but it's best to splurge a little on a better kind)... and you're set to go until you can get the betta a perma tank :)
Are you treating the water with anything? Make sure to use a dechlorinator b/c you're going to have to do quite a bit of water changes to keep the toxins in the water down.
 
You've been given very incorrect advice from the pet shop.

Your fish definitely needs a heater. They need to be kept between 26-29 degrees C.

I'm going to presume you are in the US ( if not please say )

Here is a cheap 25 watt heater on ebay. [Mod Edit]



Your betta also needs a MUCH bigger home than 1 litre. It will keep him healthier as the larger amount of water dilutes his pee.


This 5 gallon aquarium has 4 days left on it, so you could try bidding for it [Mod Edit]

Or there's this one which is still cheap [Mod Edit]



You will also need a filter. This is a reasonable one: [Mod Edit]


For now , or until you can get a tank filter and heater for him, here's a temporary measure you can do to make him more comfortable.

You should go and get a cheap clear plastic storage tub ( new not used ) , at least 12 inches long, 8 inches wide and 8 inches high.

You should transfer the betta and his current water to the tub, and top it up with more water, and add some dechlorinator ( you can buy this in fish stores and many pet shops ) .

Leave a 1 inch gap between the top of the water and the top of the tub so he can get air. Cut some small holes in the lid to allow air in, and put the lid on to stop the betta jumping out.

Try and keep the tub in the warmest room in your house until you can get a heater for him.

Change half the water in the tub every 2-3 days, and replace with clean dechlorinated water that is the same temperature .
 
Ok so evidently ebay links are no longer allowed for some reason. In which case search for " 5 gallon aquarium ", " 25 watt aquarium heater" and "whisper 10 filter" ( filters up to ten gallons ) . You will find the ones I linked to in the first 2 pages. Both aquariums I originally linked to do actually come with a filter, so if you do get those then you won't need a separate filter of course.

I can give you a link showing how to make a simple sponge filter for your betta. It's pretty easy and cheap, and obviously the bigger the container you use, the better. HERE IS THE LINK, CLICK IT

Page 5 has a diagram which shows how it works , I found it useful as the photos can be slightly unclear.
 
Thanks, I am from Australia.

I think I'll head over to a pet shop today ans sort out a proper environment for my poor fish! He is still going strong and is much more active today. It's winter over here so we have the heater on most of the time! Perhaps that's why he's swimming around more than usual.

I'll include a photo of my fish in his little vase. After doing more research, I can understand why it's so cruel to have him in such a small space-I thought it was custom!
 

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Agreed, far too small and too cold. Yes, that is the normal way to keep them but whether it's common practise or not it's still cruel. It's a real shame that pet stores don't tell people any better, because most people do not want to cause suffering!

For Australia, big hint: Big W, pet section, the Sapphire or Panorama by Vitapet/Marine Master. They are decent quality and pretty good value for money compared to anything you'll buy from a pet store. The sapphire can usually be picked up for about $40 but it's difficult to get a heater to suit such a small tank; the panorama (usually around $70) requires a lot less modification to the filtration system (the one in the Sapphire blows the betta in circles) and you can slip a 25 watt heater in there very easily. The Vitapet heaters seem to be okay as well, I've got several and the only one I've had to chuck was one that I stuffed, it wouldn't have broken if I didn't do something really dumb (left it on during a water change, it got hit with cold water and cracked... duh!)

He doesn't look too bad, I've rescued fish in a lot worse shape than that (from pet stores...) He doesn't even look that skinny. Just keep doing a water change once or twice a day until you can get him a better tank.

Heater on all the time = good. I actually have my bettas unheated but their tanks never fall below 20 or so. They're all in my bedroom. The fish outside have to have heaters because it gets too cold even in tropical qld.
 
LauraFrog said:
Agreed, far too small and too cold. Yes, that is the normal way to keep them but whether it's common practise or not it's still cruel. It's a real shame that pet stores don't tell people any better, because most people do not want to cause suffering!

For Australia, big hint: Big W, pet section, the Sapphire or Panorama by Vitapet/Marine Master. They are decent quality and pretty good value for money compared to anything you'll buy from a pet store. The sapphire can usually be picked up for about $40 but it's difficult to get a heater to suit such a small tank; the panorama (usually around $70) requires a lot less modification to the filtration system (the one in the Sapphire blows the betta in circles) and you can slip a 25 watt heater in there very easily. The Vitapet heaters seem to be okay as well, I've got several and the only one I've had to chuck was one that I stuffed, it wouldn't have broken if I didn't do something really dumb (left it on during a water change, it got hit with cold water and cracked... duh!)

He doesn't look too bad, I've rescued fish in a lot worse shape than that (from pet stores...) He doesn't even look that skinny. Just keep doing a water change once or twice a day until you can get him a better tank.

Heater on all the time = good. I actually have my bettas unheated but their tanks never fall below 20 or so. They're all in my bedroom. The fish outside have to have heaters because it gets too cold even in tropical qld.
Click to expand...

It's good to hear advice from people who've been there and experienced these problems before! When I bought my Betta from the pet shop, I remember the girl checking how big the vase was, obviously she didn't know any better either...

I will definitely check out the set-ups at Big W. I really don't have a lot of money, so little fish will have to wait until the next lot of pay I get before he really starts warming up, but for now I'll do the best I can to make him comfortable.

I am still curious as to how he's managed to live for around a month without any food. I have 3 gold fish who swim in which ever direction I walk in hope of food all the time! I can only imagine the depression they would fall into if they didn't eat for a month. Does anybody know how long Bettas last without eating? Or if they absorb nutrients from the water?

Thanks
 
fish can go a long while without eating, especially when in cooler temps. he looks pretty good to me given the circumstances. have you tried to feed him peas? cook them, pop them out of the shell, cut them up into little betta bite-sized pieces and try that. my bettas go crazy for peas. he might just eat them. only feed small amounts at a time so you are certain he is eating them and they dont wind up on the bottom spoiling.
just keep doing waterchanges in there( dont forget to dechlorinated it, or at least let it sit our overnight) until you can get a better home. lots of people make the same mistake as they are misled by the shops that this is acceptable. so dont feel too bad. you are here looking for advice which is more than can be said for loads of folks who keep their bettas in small containers. so good for YOU :hyper:
 
Bettas also go crazy for bloodworm which you should be able to get from the live food section of your local pet shop. Humans can survive for a month without food, its not that surprising a fish can as well :).
 
ransome.c said:
Thanks, I am from Australia.

I think I'll head over to a pet shop today ans sort out a proper environment for my poor fish! He is still going strong and is much more active today. It's winter over here so we have the heater on most of the time! Perhaps that's why he's swimming around more than usual.

I'll include a photo of my fish in his little vase. After doing more research, I can understand why it's so cruel to have him in such a small space-I thought it was custom!
Click to expand...

Where abouts in australia are you? We have had our first day of winter (victoria is bloody cold right now) so you should get him a bigger tank and a heater. You can pick up a 28litre AquaStart320 for around $50 on ebay. (Divide it you can house two!!) A 25watt heater will set up back $20 and set around 28degrees. I found a great food called Spectrum Grow - By new Life. Its a bit expensive but my fish love it. I went to a small shop in Box Hill and there was a poor fella double over in two because he was to big to fit in his lil cup. I was horrified but i couldnt take him home due to no room right now :( He looks like a gorgeous fishy so you should definantly get him a bigger home. My boys are so much more active compared to when they were in the shop. They love the warm water and room to swim. The run around everywhere :)
 
electric yellow said:
ransome.c said:
Thanks, I am from Australia.

I think I'll head over to a pet shop today ans sort out a proper environment for my poor fish! He is still going strong and is much more active today. It's winter over here so we have the heater on most of the time! Perhaps that's why he's swimming around more than usual.

I'll include a photo of my fish in his little vase. After doing more research, I can understand why it's so cruel to have him in such a small space-I thought it was custom!
Click to expand...

Where abouts in australia are you? We have had our first day of winter (victoria is bloody cold right now) so you should get him a bigger tank and a heater. You can pick up a 28litre AquaStart320 for around $50 on ebay. (Divide it you can house two!!) A 25watt heater will set up back $20 and set around 28degrees. I found a great food called Spectrum Grow - By new Life. Its a bit expensive but my fish love it. I went to a small shop in Box Hill and there was a poor fella double over in two because he was to big to fit in his lil cup. I was horrified but i couldnt take him home due to no room right now :( He looks like a gorgeous fishy so you should definantly get him a bigger home. My boys are so much more active compared to when they were in the shop. They love the warm water and room to swim. The run around everywhere :)
Click to expand...

Hi, I am in the Dandenong Ranges in Victoria. And, yes, it's freezing outside! I would love to see my little one have more space to play! He is much more active with the heater one. Kind of looks like he's doing bomb dives occasionally, finishing with a head butt into the pebbles! I'll definitely look into a better set up, as I said, when I can afford to!
 
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