@NCaquatics do you have any idea what might be going on with this fish?
Betta fish resting more than normal?
- Thread starter H0pefulDad
- Start date
How did you acclimate your fish after the move, when you introduced him to the new water? 45 minutes distance can surprisingly change the pH and GH enough to affect the fish if not acclimated well.
Can you get a photo of this lump as well?
Can you get a photo of this lump as well?
H0pefulDad
Fish Fanatic
Okay update today:
I just did the daily water change and didn't add anymore salt. For reasons I didn't get to it until pretty late in the day, and my little guy barely moved from his spot all day until I did so. Still won't respond to food. Snail remains blissfully unaware of anything other than what he can climb on and scavenge.
I used a service online to try to get in contact with an actual veterinarian, and after giving a barebones explanation of the situation he suggested antibiotics, and when I asked what kind said Maracyn Two. Though admittedly, based on quite a few points during our conversation I've got some doubt as to whether or not he's actually a fish veterinarian, so I'll take this particular advice with a grain of salt.
I talked with my cousin, and she said that her paradise fish once exhibited very similar symptoms to mine, and she went to the owner of this particular fish specialty pet store near here for advice, and he gave her something to put in the tank everyday that fixed the fish's problem and saved her life. Coincidentally, this is the same fish store I got my betta from last summer.
I'm not 100% sure since she said the problem with her paradise fish had to do with constipation and it doesn't look like that's my little guy's issue, and while that store seems to have expert care of most of the creatures there, their treatment of bettas seems to be the one area they decided to skimp on (quite a few were admittedly in 5 gal tanks with other fish, and most of these were probably females since I saw a lot these tanks had more than one betta in them, but most of the males are kept in tiny dirty bowls right next to each other, like my baby was). Still though, if I'm going to get any proper expert fish advice from anyone it'll probably be the guys in charge of that place.
They were closed today, so I'm going to go tomorrow to get a catappa leaf and ask for advice, and depending on what they suggest I might get some medicine too. Until then it at least seems like my betta isn't getting any worse, so he should be fine until tomorrow.
I just did the daily water change and didn't add anymore salt. For reasons I didn't get to it until pretty late in the day, and my little guy barely moved from his spot all day until I did so. Still won't respond to food. Snail remains blissfully unaware of anything other than what he can climb on and scavenge.
I used a service online to try to get in contact with an actual veterinarian, and after giving a barebones explanation of the situation he suggested antibiotics, and when I asked what kind said Maracyn Two. Though admittedly, based on quite a few points during our conversation I've got some doubt as to whether or not he's actually a fish veterinarian, so I'll take this particular advice with a grain of salt.
I talked with my cousin, and she said that her paradise fish once exhibited very similar symptoms to mine, and she went to the owner of this particular fish specialty pet store near here for advice, and he gave her something to put in the tank everyday that fixed the fish's problem and saved her life. Coincidentally, this is the same fish store I got my betta from last summer.
I'm not 100% sure since she said the problem with her paradise fish had to do with constipation and it doesn't look like that's my little guy's issue, and while that store seems to have expert care of most of the creatures there, their treatment of bettas seems to be the one area they decided to skimp on (quite a few were admittedly in 5 gal tanks with other fish, and most of these were probably females since I saw a lot these tanks had more than one betta in them, but most of the males are kept in tiny dirty bowls right next to each other, like my baby was). Still though, if I'm going to get any proper expert fish advice from anyone it'll probably be the guys in charge of that place.
They were closed today, so I'm going to go tomorrow to get a catappa leaf and ask for advice, and depending on what they suggest I might get some medicine too. Until then it at least seems like my betta isn't getting any worse, so he should be fine until tomorrow.
Fingers crossed. You are doing the absolute best that you can, and are being really resourceful. Take some pictures and video when you go to the store, it will probably help.
I'm rooting for your little guy to pull through!
I'm rooting for your little guy to pull through!
H0pefulDad
Fish Fanatic
Okay first on the lump, I have determined that it was probably just a trick of the light, because I haven't seen any hint of it since. Also even if I wanted to my fish is too wiggly to get a good photo of him.
Now that I'm thinking about it I'm embarrassed that I neglected all the steps to acclimate him back into the tank once I had it all set up again, I guess I forgot that isn't just for when you bring them home the first time. I put him and my snail in the small travel case I have, it might be about 1 gal size, and once I had everything in the tank set up and running again I just sort of dumped them both in there. I guess because it took a while I was just thinking that I wanted him out of that tiny container and back into his home as soon as possible. I added some stress coat afterwards but clearly that wasn't enough of a precaution. Oh, I should have at least let him adjust to the temperature, but I don't have any of those thin plastic bags to use.
H0pefulDad
Fish Fanatic
Thank you so much for all the help, I just hope I can get him some relief from this soon.
For the future, since I assume you guys are going back to college at some point, you can acclimate him by floating him in a VERY CLEAN plastic takeout container for example. Or tupperware, or anything similar. Instead of the temperature going through the container, you will need to add little bits of tank water every 15 minutes. Depending on how clean the water is in the travel case -> tupperware, you can either let it overflow into the tank or take some out with a cup if you don't want it mixing with tank water. Another idea for the next time you move is to add some tetra safe start into the 10gal when you fill it with water after the move, it will decrease the risk of an ammonia/nitrite spike. Finally, test twice a day for the first week after you move for ammonia and nitrites so that you can do a water change immediately if anything starts to be off.
I think this may just stem down to the acclimating issue, so fingers crossed he sorts himself out better in time. Catappa leaves would still be very beneficial for him as well.
Hey we all make mistakes. And that's a pretty easy one to make as its not something to think about that often.
Hey we all make mistakes. And that's a pretty easy one to make as its not something to think about that often.
H0pefulDad
Fish Fanatic
I'll still be sure to do better next time. For the record though, I did add some tetra safe start to the tank once it was all set up again. If I added too much then maybe that could've been bad too? It's not like one little fish and snail produce that much waste (although admittedly, the snail produces much more than I would've thought possible for something so tiny).
I dont think that would be the problem, tbh. I know pH and GH swings in fish can put them into a shock which can cause them to be lethargic and laying around more than normal
H0pefulDad
Fish Fanatic
Well, I went to that fish store today, hoping that I could get some proper expert advice for my fish. No such luck.
I barely managed to talk about the situation and his symptoms (didn't even get to finish listing those by the way!), and instead of taking the time to ask a lot of thoughtful questions like you guys have, it was just a few before he said that apparently I can't be using tap water for water changes, even though I use a conditioner? That I have to use spring water from a supermarket apparently??
That and saying that I should raise the temperature of the water to 82F is all he suggested, it's like he was cutting me off before I could explain anything else, like the fin rot I think my little guy has (in his words, I shouldn't worry about that unless it progresses apparently). I didn't even get a chance to show him the pictures and videos I brought. I guess I could have pushed more, but honestly after just a minute of interaction I was so exhausted that I was ready to leave. I guess I shouldn't have expected much from someone who keeps so many male bettas in tiny bowls.
I did manage to buy some catappa leaves though, so I'm going to put one in the tank when I get home. I might look into temporarily raising the temperature, but I've literally never heard that I need to use spring water before?? Is that something you should actually do for an aquarium? Midnight always seemed just fine before with the conditioned tap water.
I barely managed to talk about the situation and his symptoms (didn't even get to finish listing those by the way!), and instead of taking the time to ask a lot of thoughtful questions like you guys have, it was just a few before he said that apparently I can't be using tap water for water changes, even though I use a conditioner? That I have to use spring water from a supermarket apparently??
That and saying that I should raise the temperature of the water to 82F is all he suggested, it's like he was cutting me off before I could explain anything else, like the fin rot I think my little guy has (in his words, I shouldn't worry about that unless it progresses apparently). I didn't even get a chance to show him the pictures and videos I brought. I guess I could have pushed more, but honestly after just a minute of interaction I was so exhausted that I was ready to leave. I guess I shouldn't have expected much from someone who keeps so many male bettas in tiny bowls.
I did manage to buy some catappa leaves though, so I'm going to put one in the tank when I get home. I might look into temporarily raising the temperature, but I've literally never heard that I need to use spring water before?? Is that something you should actually do for an aquarium? Midnight always seemed just fine before with the conditioned tap water.
Tap water is just fine so long as the parameters are within the fish's range. Which, domestic betta splendens can handle a very wide range so no worries.
A business owner won't care about the individual fish, theyre more likely looking for the money of selling more fish, and his behavior shows that. Sorry you experienced that, but unfortunately its common.
Raising the temps slightly may help, bettas do better 78-82F but if its in that range already, then leave it as you don't want too much more change than hes already had.
A business owner won't care about the individual fish, theyre more likely looking for the money of selling more fish, and his behavior shows that. Sorry you experienced that, but unfortunately its common.
Raising the temps slightly may help, bettas do better 78-82F but if its in that range already, then leave it as you don't want too much more change than hes already had.
H0pefulDad
Fish Fanatic
The water is at the lowest of that range at 78F, but the heater I have isn't adjustable so I couldn't make it hotter.
I know my tap water's pH of 8.0 is probably too high in terms of parameters, but I've also heard that consistent pH is the most important thing so honestly I'm not sure what to believe. At least the catappa leaves I got will lower that for now.
Ugh, I know I've seen another guy running the place at one point so maybe my cousin had gotten advice from him. Or maybe paradise fish are just considered more important than bettas.
I know my tap water's pH of 8.0 is probably too high in terms of parameters, but I've also heard that consistent pH is the most important thing so honestly I'm not sure what to believe. At least the catappa leaves I got will lower that for now.
Ugh, I know I've seen another guy running the place at one point so maybe my cousin had gotten advice from him. Or maybe paradise fish are just considered more important than bettas.
The pH is fine for domestics 
www.seriouslyfish.com
Betta splendens – Siamese Fighting Fish (Micracanthus marchei) — Seriously Fish
www.seriouslyfish.com
H0pefulDad
Fish Fanatic
Oh okay, thank you.
Well one leaf is in there, floating. It occurs to me that I'm just turning the tank water into tea.
Well one leaf is in there, floating. It occurs to me that I'm just turning the tank water into tea.
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