Betta help...

[Koda jr.]

Our betta was moved into a five gallon tank just a couple of days ago.He really seemed happy and was fairly active.My mom read that Betta don't like a lot of water movement so she adjusted the air/filter a bit.Today we found him at the bottom of the tank and he looks chewed to shreds and lacks color.Mom says it looks like the two ghost shrimp were making a meal of his fins and tail.The only other fish in the tank is a guppy and he seems fine.We put the betta in a small bowl to keep him safe.Does anyone have an idea how things could have gone bad so fast?Thanks in advance.

Koda jr.

 

[Teelie]

Guppies and Bettas don't go well together though usually the Betta makes mince of the Guppy. It's possible the Guppy got the upper hand and gnawed on the Betta or the Betta is sick with something. Maybe fin rot. Are the tips of the fins a dark color?

 

[Koda jr.]

They don't seem to be a dark color but they are so shredded they look like string.I thought he looked fine yesterday but maybe I missed something.I'm new to fishkeeping

Koda jr.

 

[Teelie]

Hard to say without a picture or detailed description. What about the water parameters? What are they like?

 

[White Whale]

Looks like the betta got sick from the stress of the guppy attack.

 

[Koda jr.]

We'll have to get stuff to test the water tomorrow.The tank is pretty new but we do regular partial water changes and it's very clean.The betta is normally blue/red but now his body is pale with a couple of dark blotches.I feel really bad seeing him like this.Mom wonders if it's possible we used too much water conditioner and aquarisol.The instructions are for 10 gallons so she used about half what it calls for because ours is 5 gallons.Thanks for responding and sorry about not having pictures.

Koda jr.

 

[Koda jr.]

Looks like the betta got sick from the stress of the guppy attack.

Mom feels really bad because the fish store said they could be together.Then she read here that they aren't good together and she was going to move him.But she was more worried about the betta going after the guppy and he had lots of hiding places.I just hope he can better.I love my fish.

I saved a fish at Wal Mart yesterday when he got stuck on a net and fell on the floor.The store guy didn't see him but I did,and I told him.I was so happy...

Koda jr

 

[Koda]

(((((((((My kiddo))))))))))

I know how much you care and I do too.

This is so baffling.The tank was sparkling clean and the fish seemed to be getting along ok.We'd just added them this weekend.

On the other hand,I "rescued" a betta from work today.He's been in the YMCA preschool room.Kept in one of those vases with a plant and getting sporadic care.He'd been moved to the kitchen and I guess they thought he was dead or dying.They were ignoring him.He spends a lot of time up in the roots and they take up so much of the vase that he hasn't got much space.The water looks pretty green...but then it IS full of roots

No one had time to mess with it.So I talked to them and offered to take him home and see if he was salvageable,and if not I'd let them know.I get hime here and when he comes out of the roots he looks just fine.Fins and tail in excellent condition,eyes clear,no sign of distress.I'm almost afraid to disturb him.A crystal clear home might be a bit of a shock to his system

I'll be on the Betta board looking for suggestions

Koda

 

[Teelie]

Good luck with the Betta, well both of them. I like the vase with roots and Betta appearence but it's not practical by any means and has inaccurate information on the little information sticker.

 

[Bangin]

The betta probably got stressed out because of the filter movement. You say it was adjusted, but was it really enough? I know from personal experience that too much flow can stress a betta to death, literally. Good luck.

 

[jams.alaskan]

Hi there kiddo! Do you have a heater in the 5 gal? if not what is the temp there? The first time I had a betta loose color and fin quality was with one that was too cold...

ALASKA

 

[Koda]

Hi there kiddo! Do you have a heater in the 5 gal? if not what is the temp there? The first time I had a betta loose color and fin quality was with one that was too cold...

ALASKA

Hi Alaska.No heater...but the light puts off heat.The tank stays in the upper 70s between 76 and 78.I am thinking this poor guy isn't going to make it and it will break my kid's heart,especially since he was a gift

I'm watching the guppy now and wondering if he could be a problem.He's down now sorta shadowing the ghost shrimp.But I'd tend to think the betta must've been a bit stressed to have been taken down by a much smaller fish???

It just happened so fast and I feel horrible for putting him in there

Koda