It seemed to have some sort of fin disease, so I thought I'd separate the betta from the rest of the fish by putting it in a cup (the idea being that I could change the water more often and keep it safe from the other fish.) He jumped out of the cup, and over the desk. It was still alive when I found it on the floor, but when I returned it to the tank I noticed one of his fins isn't moving. The little fish are picking at his tail too, which has been a bit bloody and tattered since I came in to work today (which is why I put it in the cup to begin with). Poor thing--what should I do?
Broken Fin..
- Thread starter Prizm
- Start date
BettaMomma
Fish Aficionado
Separate him first thing. He should always from this point on be in his very own tank.
Do you have any aquarium salt?
What do you have that you could put him in?
Do you have any aquarium salt?
What do you have that you could put him in?
BettaMomma
Fish Aficionado
So sorry, it's now the next day.
I got tired and had to go to bed. (too many fishy chores lol)
Anyway - did you get him separated?
How's he doing today?
I got tired and had to go to bed. (too many fishy chores lol)
Anyway - did you get him separated?
How's he doing today?
1st off, I want you to know I'm extremely thankful for your help! 
He's living in a coffee pot now--And seems MUCH more relaxed. The mini aquarium he was in before may have reflective sides--because when I'd feed the fish, I noticed the sides looked like mirrors when you look down from the top.
As of now his fin is working, and he's drift-swimming about the bowl. (It's perfect because of the built-in lid!)
It looks cute having a betta in a coffee pot, but I'll move him into something bigger soon, which brings about another question: Do you think bettas do better in mini-aquariums with underground filters or in large, still-water bowls?
He's living in a coffee pot now--And seems MUCH more relaxed. The mini aquarium he was in before may have reflective sides--because when I'd feed the fish, I noticed the sides looked like mirrors when you look down from the top.
As of now his fin is working, and he's drift-swimming about the bowl. (It's perfect because of the built-in lid!)
It looks cute having a betta in a coffee pot, but I'll move him into something bigger soon, which brings about another question: Do you think bettas do better in mini-aquariums with underground filters or in large, still-water bowls?
BettaMomma
Fish Aficionado
Great - glad to hear he's feeling better.
All my boys are in 1, 2 or 2.5G tanks - with no filters.
They all have a tiny slight bublbe drip in their tanks except Charlie and Jack, but that's just to keep the water from getting stagnant.
They all seem to be really happy in what they're living in now.
NOT that I ever want to encourage anyone to EVER shop at WalMart, but if you're looking for an inexpensive way to house your boy, they have lots of great options for tanks. They have the 1G aquaClear tanks for about 10$, including an air pump. They also have little 2G hex tanks, but be warned - the sides do turn into mirrors and some bettas can't handle living in them - they're around 20$.
Or, you can do what I do and that's go to the lfs and buy a small 2.5 G glass tank, buy a glass top and get a little mini hydor heater. Then of course get some silk plants and gravel and viola!
For the ones w/ undergravel filters, I just ditch the little undergravel filter system thingy they have and get a 3-4" bubble bar, and hook it up to the airpump. Then I clamp off the air tubing until there's just a tiny bubble drip. It works great!
All my boys are in 1, 2 or 2.5G tanks - with no filters.
They all have a tiny slight bublbe drip in their tanks except Charlie and Jack, but that's just to keep the water from getting stagnant.
They all seem to be really happy in what they're living in now.
NOT that I ever want to encourage anyone to EVER shop at WalMart, but if you're looking for an inexpensive way to house your boy, they have lots of great options for tanks. They have the 1G aquaClear tanks for about 10$, including an air pump. They also have little 2G hex tanks, but be warned - the sides do turn into mirrors and some bettas can't handle living in them - they're around 20$.
Or, you can do what I do and that's go to the lfs and buy a small 2.5 G glass tank, buy a glass top and get a little mini hydor heater. Then of course get some silk plants and gravel and viola!
For the ones w/ undergravel filters, I just ditch the little undergravel filter system thingy they have and get a 3-4" bubble bar, and hook it up to the airpump. Then I clamp off the air tubing until there's just a tiny bubble drip. It works great!
AquaClear, that's what I have! The sides do appear to be driving him crazy 
I like your bubble-drip idea! I guess the guppies get to keep their AquaClear house, and Betta-Boy will get his own house after all. (Unless, is there anyone who lives in Colorado who'd like a pair of color-less guppies??? ) Darn.
I like your bubble-drip idea! I guess the guppies get to keep their AquaClear house, and Betta-Boy will get his own house after all. (Unless, is there anyone who lives in Colorado who'd like a pair of color-less guppies??? ) Darn.BettaMomma
Fish Aficionado
So did you have him in the 1G aquaview with some guppies?
He was feeling really cramped in there with them, if so.
He was feeling really cramped in there with them, if so.
Yes, they are only baby ones though, but it was rather crowded. I left them at work and brought the betta home--My concern now is keeping the water warm. Lol, I've resorted to placing his "bowl" next to the cofee-maker (next to, not actually on the burner) to keep the water luke-warm. The tips of his tail are still red, but today he is flairing whenever I walk by, which seems like an improvement considering he has been cowering to the far side of the bowl since his fin condition. I'm changing the water daily and using minute amounts of ick medicine...& I bought some frozen brine shrimp for him yesterday.
BettaMomma
Fish Aficionado
Great.
Sounds like you are on the right path with him now.
He was probably intimidated by the guppies.
Sounds like you are on the right path with him now.
He was probably intimidated by the guppies.
veen
Fish Crazy
glad to hear your lil guy is doing better
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