Betta Suicide

[dylema]

Last night we came home and couldn't find our girl betta. unfortunaltly she had jumped out of the tank and died . There is only a little gap in the corner where the filter hoses go through the lid but she made it through. I am wondering what might make a betta jump out? Is it just unlucky that she found the gap or might the have seen it and intentionally jumped through? I tested the water and found that ammonia was 0 nitrIte was 0 but nitrAte was high (about 40ppm). She had been sulking for a few days and had occasionally made a commotion (probably jumping) which is strange for her.

 

[JoLtNbolt]

I've had 2 bettas that jumped to their death... it happens if you don't cover their bowl/aquarium....

 

[Synirr]

Bettas tend to jump often for no particular reason, and sometimes you'd be surprised at the size of the openings they can get through. I've had two bettas jump to their deaths out of a hole about as wide as my thumb (on the lid of Aquaview 1 gallon tanks, if you're familiar with them).

 

[Ethos]

Bettas do odd stuff, especially when their under the influence......the influence of love!
Sorry, that was very random...

 

[nino]

the same thing happened to me over the summer with my first betta ever, also a female. i came home from work and couldn't find her anywhere and when i did she looked very dried up but flinched when i picked her up. she didn't last the night. it's depressing isn't it?

 

[RandomWiktor]

Bettas can fit out of extremely tiny holes. If you cut a peice of needlepoint plastic to fit snugly around any gaps with protruding hoses, you greatly reduce the chance of accidents like this happening. I learned after one betta fit out of a little hole where the filter hooked on to the tank. I think part of the reason for this is that the bettas will swim and jump up into the current, and end up out of the tank.

Sorry to hear about your loss. Damned crazy fishes.