Advise Needed-Veiltail Betta

[Gypsy Tart]

I’m not one to encourage illegal activity but I think you need to kidnap the betta!

When I went to see the pet last night and 'tuck him in' with a mountain of fleece plus hot water bottle, I noticed
that there were lots of bubbles on the surface of it's tiny bowl. Is this a bad or good sign?

I'm also wondering whether I could place one or two ornaments (acrylic decorations) in the bowl as it's must be so bored. Honestly, it just swims around in a tiny circle. I have placed a few green plants and bright pink toys with faces on the outside hoping that it will stimulate or entertain it.

No local shops sell silk plants over here and the bowl is far too tiny for them anyway.

Another hour and I will go and see how it is (sunrise) and try and 'entertain' it with some bright coloured objects.

 

[Rhianne]

@Rhianne I have been know to do so in the past.

When I went to see the pet last night and 'tuck him in' with a mountain of fleece plus hot water bottle, I noticed
that there were lots of bubbles on the surface of it's tiny bowl. Is this a bad or good sign?

I'm also wondering whether I could place one or two ornaments (acrylic decorations) in the bowl as it's must be so bored. Honestly, it just swims around in a tiny circle. I have placed a few green plants and bright pink toys with faces on the outside hoping that it will stimulate or entertain it.

No local shops sell silk plants over here and the bowl is far too tiny for them anyway.

Another hour and I will go and see how it is (sunrise) and try and 'entertain' it with some bright coloured objects.

It may be a bubble nest. The males will build nests and look after the eggs until they hatch in the wild.

Have a look on amazon, I bought mine a leaf hammock although I’ve not seen him use it yet.

I can’t see anything will make it happier than a proper tank sadly. Needs to be at least 5g.

I don’t know your personal situation but if this was one of my friends, they’d be having a good talking to! Maybe you could adopt him! I think we’d all like to see this happen!

 

[Gypsy Tart]

It may be a bubble nest. The males will build nests and look after the eggs until they hatch in the wild.

Have a look on amazon, I bought mine a leaf hammock although I’ve not seen him use it yet.

I can’t see anything will make it happier than a proper tank sadly. Needs to be at least 5g.

I don’t know your personal situation but if this was one of my friends, they’d be having a good talking to! Maybe you could adopt him! I think we’d all like to see this happen!

The poor thing. If he thinks he's building a nest as he's alone in that jar, he's in for a surprise.

Moreover, the jar has glass panels on all 3 sides so sometimes it must think that it has company even though it's only it's own reflection that is sees.

I will look up the leaf hammock.

What is a tank of 5 g ? If I rightly remember 20 litres would be the minimum for one Betta ?

With regards to my pal, she is a very good friend and likes animals.

Ha ha, I don't want to adopt the pet but would be so happy if it had the right environnement.

 

[Gypsy Tart]

Day 5

So the flat was nice and warm as I had decided to put the heating up by another 1° C during the night. Despite the former being set to 22°C it was only 20°C by it's jar. That is because there is a draft coming from the window above the latter. So I put some tea towels but I can still feel the cold coming in.

The pet is getting far more active and is actually swimming and not paddling. I put a few bright coloured objects on the side of the panel where it has an outside view ; pink, yellow, turquoise and silver. I also placed a string of shiny bronze beads ( a necklace) and rattled it and to my surprise it seemed to want to catch them. So funny !

I also put a smooth long cocktail spoon with a flower head inside and at times it swam after it and at other times, it backed off. So not sure whether it was frightened or not.

On the whole, the warmer it is the perkier and livelier it seems to be. It is now eating all the pellets as the first 2 days it refused to hardly eat anything. I stayed with it for an hour and it got quiet a lot of swimming and entertainment.

On the downside, the water if full of impurities and smells a bit. There is quite a lot of rotten food at the bottom! She didn't leave me a scoop and there is nothing to clean it out. I must say that I'm a bit nervous and don't want to harm it, especially as now it's on it's way to recovery.
It doesn't even look like it's the same fish !

 

[AdoraBelle Dearheart]

Day 5

So the flat was nice and warm as I had decided to put the heating up by another 1° C during the night. Despite the former being set to 22°C it was only 20°C by it's jar. That is because there is a draft coming from the window above the latter. So I put some tea towels but I can still feel the cold coming in.

The pet is getting far more active and is actually swimming and not paddling. I put a few bright coloured objects on the side of the panel where it has an outside view ; pink, yellow, turquoise and silver. I also placed a string of shiny bronze beads ( a necklace) and rattled it and to my surprise it seemed to want to catch them. So funny !

I also put a smooth long cocktail spoon with a flower head inside and at times it swam after it and at other times, it backed off. So not sure whether it was frightened or not.

On the whole, the warmer it is the perkier and livelier it seems to be. It is now eating all the pellets as the first 2 days it refused to hardly eat anything. I stayed with it for an hour and it got quiet a lot of swimming and entertainment.

On the downside, the water if full of impurities and smells a bit. There is quite a lot of rotten food at the bottom? She didn't leave me a scoop and there is nothing to clean it out. I must say that I'm a bit nervous and don't want to harm it, especially as now it's on it's way to recovery.

The same friend who saw it on Saturday came over yesterday afternoon and said that it doesn't even look like it's the same fish !

Is there a bottle of water conditioner anywhere? It needs a water change, but tapwater has chlorine and chloramines in it, which are toxic to fish. We use bottled water conditioners to remove those from the water and make it safe for the fish. Check where she keeps her fish supplies and let us know what's in there, photos might help if you're not sure.

If you find it and decide to do a water change, make sure to warm some water and match the temperature to the tank water, as sudden changes in water temperature can shock and kill fish. If your friend doesn't have a thermometer, wash your hands then put one in the tank, one in the new water and see if they feel like the same temp, adjust if needed.

Alternatively, you could fill a pot with some water and leave it sitting for 24 hours, and any chlorine should air off. Stir it a few times when you can to help, using a jug to lift some and pour it back in a few times would help too. Then we would just have to hope that there are no chloramines in the water, but if your friend has been using her tap water without water conditioner, I assume that there aren't.

Can you contact her and ask her about how she changes the water, say it's smelly and needs a change? In this case, I'd suggest you change 50% of the water at first. look for a turkey baster or empty syringe or something to clean the old food and muck from the bottom of the tank.

If your friend loves animals, give her a talking to. Bettas are a living being, not a decoration. They're a tropical fish, need warmth, and her 'pet' is suffering and very likely to die after suffering a short miserable life if it remains in these conditions much longer, especially as these cold nights draw in. It needs at minimum a five gallon/19 litre tank with a heater, and some real care. If she really doesn't care, I couldn't be friends with someone so heartless as to let a living being freeze to death after being kept in such terrible conditions. If she wouldn't do it to a dog, why do it to a fish.

 

[Hopeful]

Is there a bottle of water conditioner anywhere? It needs a water change, but tapwater has chlorine and chloramines in it, which are toxic to fish. We use bottled water conditioners to remove those from the water and make it safe for the fish. Check where she keeps her fish supplies and let us know what's in there, photos might help if you're not sure.

If you find it and decide to do a water change, make sure to warm some water and match the temperature to the tank water, as sudden changes in water temperature can shock and kill fish. If your friend doesn't have a thermometer, wash your hands then put one in the tank, one in the new water and see if they feel like the same temp, adjust if needed.

Alternatively, you could fill a pot with some water and leave it sitting for 24 hours, and any chlorine should air off. Stir it a few times when you can to help, using a jug to lift some and pour it back in a few times would help too. Then we would just have to hope that there are no chloramines in the water, but if your friend has been using her tap water without water conditioner, I assume that there aren't.

Can you contact her and ask her about how she changes the water, say it's smelly and needs a change? In this case, I'd suggest you change 50% of the water at first. look for a turkey baster or empty syringe or something to clean the old food and muck from the bottom of the tank.

If your friend loves animals, give her a talking to. Bettas are a living being, not a decoration. They're a tropical fish, need warmth, and her 'pet' is suffering and very likely to die after suffering a short miserable life if it remains in these conditions much longer, especially as these cold nights draw in. It needs at minimum a five gallon/19 litre tank with a heater, and some real care. If she really doesn't care, I couldn't be friends with someone so heartless as to let a living being freeze to death after being kept in such terrible conditions. If she wouldn't do it to a dog, why do it to a fish.

Is it not possible to go to a social media site or a ‘marketplace’ site where there are aquarium accessories for sale? Usually, there are tanks and entire decor with filter and heater at a fraction of the cost. I’m in the UK and seen plenty of groups dedicated to all your aquatic needs.

 

[Gypsy Tart]

Can you contact her and ask her about how she changes the water, say it's smelly and needs a change? In this case, I'd suggest you change 50% of the water at first. look for a turkey baster or empty syringe or something to clean the old food and muck from the bottom of the tank.

If your friend loves animals, give her a talking to. Bettas are a living being, not a decoration. They're a tropical fish, need warmth, and her 'pet' is suffering and very likely to die after suffering a short miserable life if it remains in these conditions much longer, especially as these cold nights draw in. It needs at minimum a five gallon/19 litre tank with a heater, and some real care. If she really doesn't care, I couldn't be friends with someone so heartless as to let a living being freeze to death after being kept in such terrible conditions. If she wouldn't do it to a dog, why do it to a fish.

I did look around and there are no fish products only a small net. There's nothing to scoop(no baster or syringe) out the food and impurities. I guess that she's using tap water. I gather as it's in a tiny jar, it's just getting food and nothing else. What do you do with the pet, whilst you change and clean the jar ?

I have looked up all of the 20 litre tanks plus the lovely decorations; rocks, pebbles,plants etc and I would love her to buy one including the heater and air pump. But going from a 5 inch plastic jar to a Beverly Hills setup is going to be difficult.

I cannot answer your last paragraph as the lady is a lovely caring person.

All of this is stressing me out but I am doing my best to make it happy and warm.

 

[AdoraBelle Dearheart]

I did look around and there are no fish products only a small net. There's nothing to scoop(no baster or syringe) out the food and impurities. I guess that she's using tap water. I gather as it's in a tiny jar, it's just getting food and nothing else. What do you do with the pet, whilst you change and clean the jar ?

I have looked up all of the 20 litre tanks plus the lovely decorations; rocks, pebbles,plants etc and I would love her to buy one including the heater and air pump. But going from a 5 inch plastic jar to a Beverly Hills setup is going to be difficult.

I cannot answer your last paragraph as the lady is a lovely caring person. I actually de not understand why she didn't give it a nicer home. Moreover, she's not asking me how it is despite the fact that I told her that it was in great distress.

All of this is stressing me out but I am doing my best to make it happy and warm.

Water conditioner is relatively cheap, any fish stores near you? You could pick up a small bottle if you want to invest the money and try.

Any jug or cup from the kitchen could work, as long as it's clean and has no soap residue. Or a turkey baster if there's one in the kitchen drawer. leave the fish in the 'tank' (I hate calling stupid tiny things like that tanks, it's not a tank, it's a decoration) and just scoop out half of the water, replace with new, warmed, treated water.

I'm afraid you have some hard choices to make. As I see it, you have a few options. It's not your fault, and I can see that you care a great deal and that you're doing all you can for this fish, but it's fruitless if your friend doesn't care, and will immdiately go back to her previous ways.

If she does, the fish is going to die, possibly a painful, drawn out death. The weather is only getting colder, freezing to death is not a pleasant way to go. You can leave the fish to its doom and not make it your problem. Or you can adopt or rehome the fish, and tell your friend it died or something.

Or you can euthanise the fish yourself. Better a quick death than a slow agonising one.

Harsh, but true I'm afraid. Sounds like your friend doesn't care if the fish suffers at all.

 

[Rhianne]

The poor thing. If he thinks he's building a nest as he's alone in that jar, he's in for a surprise.

Moreover, the jar has glass panels on all 3 sides so sometimes it must think that it has company even though it's only it's own reflection that is sees.

I will look up that leave hammock.

What is a tank of 5 g ? If I rightly remember 20 litres would be the minimum for one Betta ?

With regards to my pal, she is a very good friend and likes animals. She is potty over the dog that lives in the flat.

Ha ha, I don't want to adopt the pet but would be so happy if it had the right environnement.

Yes 5 gallons would be around 20litres and is the minimum size recommended for a betta.

If she loves animals then she would hopefully be open to getting a new tank and a heater. Maybe it’s a case of listening to the pet shop and seeing these types of fish stored in these sad containers.

If it can constantly see it’s own reflection that may be stressing the fish as they will fight other males so it may think a male is around.

Also try some freeze dried bloodworm, my betta loves it. It’s about £3 on amazon.

 

[Hopeful]

Yes 5 gallons would be around 20litres and is the minimum size recommended for a betta.

If she loves animals then she would hopefully be open to getting a new tank and a heater. Maybe it’s a case of listening to the pet shop and seeing these types of fish stored in these sad containers.

If it can constantly see it’s own reflection that may be stressing the fish as they will fight other males so it may think a male is around.

Also try some freeze dried bloodworm, my betta loves it. It’s about £3 on amazon.

 

[Hopeful]

Surely even a common household bucket would be better than the container he’s in at the moment?? At least you’d be able to change the water, fish out the debris , keep him warm and even put some decor in, until you can get him a more permanent home?

 

[Gypsy Tart]

Water conditioner is relatively cheap, any fish stores near you? You could pick up a small bottle if you want to invest the money and try.

Any jug or cup from the kitchen could work, as long as it's clean and has no soap residue. Or a turkey baster if there's one in the kitchen drawer. leave the fish in the 'tank' (I hate calling stupid tiny things like that tanks, it's not a tank, it's a decoration) and just scoop out half of the water, replace with new, warmed, treated water.

I'm afraid you have some hard choices to make. As I see it, you have a few options. It's not your fault, and I can see that you care a great deal and that you're doing all you can for this fish, but it's fruitless if your friend doesn't care, and will immdiately go back to her previous ways.

If she does, the fish is going to die, possibly a painful, drawn out death. The weather is only getting colder, freezing to death is not a pleasant way to go. You can leave the fish to its doom and not make it your problem. Or you can adopt or rehome the fish, and tell your friend it died or something.

Or you can euthanise the fish yourself. Better a quick death than a slow agonising one.

Harsh, but true I'm afraid. Sounds like your friend doesn't care if the fish suffers at all.

Thank you for your very detailed response as well as your expertise.

I can go and buy some conditioner today. However, as she doesn't have a baster only a cup, I don't quite see how I can remove tiny residue and food from the bottom of the plastic jar( agree it's not a tank !) with a cup.
I would have thought that you'd have to remove all of the water because of the ammonia build up.
Sales assistants in pet shops will tell you nonsense as they just want to sell their products.

I have spoken with a toxicologist who has studied fish for her thesis and confirmed to me that the mite was dying on Saturday. She added that it's organs were shutting down.

 

[Gypsy Tart]

Yes 5 gallons would be around 20litres and is the minimum size recommended for a betta.

If she loves animals then she would hopefully be open to getting a new tank and a heater. Maybe it’s a case of listening to the pet shop and seeing these types of fish stored in these sad containers.

If it can constantly see it’s own reflection that may be stressing the fish as they will fight other males so it may think a male is around.

Also try some freeze dried bloodworm, my betta loves it. It’s about £3 on amazon.

I hadn't thought of that ; it being stressed out thinking that there's another male in the jar. Oh my gosh, poor thing.

 

[Hopeful]

I would euthanise him, as he is going to slip away. I use clove oil when all else fails..which is a gentle way, it will put him to sleep first if done correctly..look on the internet. I think that’s the humane way to go. Never ever trust sales people. I’ve rarely had good advice from them.

 

[AdoraBelle Dearheart]

Thank you for your very detailed response as well as your expertise.

I can go and buy some conditioner today. However, as she doesn't have a baster only a cup, I don't quite see how I can remove tiny residue and food from the bottom of the plastic jar( agree it's not a tank !) with a cup.
I would have thought that you'd have to remove all of the water because of the ammonia build up.

I couldn't kill the mite and can't really kidnap it as she trusts me and nobody would want to adopt it. However, at times, I have thought that it would be better dead than living such a miserable life. It's like putting a child into a closet and leaving it there !

I will have to talk to her but agree with the post below that it's only due to ignorance and sales assistants in pet shops will tell you nonsense as they just want to sell their products.

I have spoken with a toxicologist who has studied fish for her thesis and confirmed to me that the mite was dying on Saturday. She added that it's organs were shutting down.

No, you couldn't use a cup to the clean the bottom, that's why I suggested a turkey baster or an empty syringe for that part If you could get a bit of airline tubing (cheap in any fish store) you can also start a syphon by placing one end in the fish jug, putting the other end lower down and sucking on it until water comes through. It's a skill that takes practice to get the syphon started without getting a mouthful of dirty tank water... chances are that you will, the first few times! Then you move the airline around the bottom, sucking up all the waste. This is drop the water level at the same time.

Yes, ammonia will build up in there, depends when the last water change was. I suggest a 50% change at first because a 100% change is drastic, and big sudden changes can again, put fish into shock and kill them. Small and often would be better when we don't know when he last had a water change.