A Little Survivor Who Never Eats!

[Honeythorn]

While you're waiting to get a glass tank, a clear plastic storage tub is a cheap alternative, and safer for him than that jar. One like this

But more see through obviously . Most hardware shops or Home depot style places sell them. Some supermarkets even sell them. They don't cost much, certainly shouldn't cost more than a few dollars for one medium sized one. On a tub that's about 12 inches X 10 X 10 you should do water changes every 2-3 days or so .

 

[electric yellow]

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!

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

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!

Ah you are out near my father in law he is at the foot of the dandys near kilsyth south. he lives closer to canterbury road though. there is a few good aquariums out my way where you would be able to pick up a good tank bargin. theres Fantastic Fins in Lilydale, Regency Aquarium in Croydon and loads of smaller pet places. Has he eaten yet? You should try different foods. is it possible he may not want to eat because he doesnt like his vase? I sometimes put my betta in a storage container when im doing water changes. or a glass job when im scraping tanks.

 

[bagu]

o god =( you have been mislead by the LFS; thats awful

just try and place him near a warmish spot, and keep up the water changes; good luck!

 

[LauraFrog]

How's he going?

No fish can absorb nutrients from the water, but bettas seem to be pretty good at surviving a while without food. I rescue bettas that get abused by pet stores and I've had some come to me in a pretty sorry state, half starved because they haven't been offered food, because they can't eat what has been offered (ie flakes or really big pellets), because they were too ill/bored/depressed to try and eat or so full of internal parasites that the worms ate everything that went through them... you would be amazed at just how skinny they can get and end up being okay. Personally I'd be more worried about the temperature of the water than his refusal to eat - getting cold all the time is really not good for him, and I'd be worried that the problem is going to come in the back door in the form of some disease or other. That's the reason the cold is bad - it depletes the immune system.

 

[ransome.c]

Hey all,

Thankyou to everybody for your help!

I've got him in front of the heater tonight, in much wider and taller glass container. I think it's for putting large candles in but it doubles well as a house! Now he has much more space to swim around. It's still just temporary, I plan on getting him a nice heated set up very soon.

Thankfully my fishie doesn't seem to have lost any colour to his body or fins. So he mustn't be doing too badly!

Still no eating, I've tried twice today. I have a feeling maybe these pellets are too big for him. Although they are specifically made for Bettas. I think I will have to try the Peas and Bloodworms!

Claire

 

[loraxchick]

does he go for the pellets but cant eat them? they may be too big. try crushing it up into smaller pieces. hope that helps.