Dying Betta's?

[Midwife33]

I've just bought my 3rd Siamese fighter and its the 3rd to die within a few days . I purposely sat in front of the tank and watched to make sure nothing was bullying him, tested the water which is fine and took my time introducing him to the tank. He still died

Everything else in the tank is lively and happy, what could be killing them off???

Lisaxx

 

[Lynda B]

Need more information that that.

What size tank?

What else is in the tank?

What are your readings:

pH
ammonia
nitrite
nitrate

Are you purchasing the bettas at a store? What type of store?

How old are they?

 

[rdd1952]

Can you give us a little more info on the tank, inhabitants and how you are acclimating it? I would suspect that it is shock from highly different water parameters (those in his cup and what's in your tanks) but can't be sure. Also, some bettas just don't do well in community tanks as they don't like the strong water current among other things.

Edit: Should have known Lynda would beat me to it.

 

[Lynda B]

I'm just a really fast typist.....

 

[Midwife33]

B)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Lynda B @ Jul 19 2007, 06:49 PM) [snapback]1697359[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Need more information that that.

What size tank?

What else is in the tank?

What are your readings:

pH
ammonia
nitrite
nitrate

Are you purchasing the bettas at a store? What type of store?

How old are they?[/quote]

Tank is 48in (long), 18in (height), 12in (depth)

In the tank is:

(all small)

2 Moonlight Gourami's
2 Honey Gourami's
2 Indian Gourami's
2 Kissing Gourami's
2 Swordtails
2 Platy's
4 Dalmation Mollies
4 Guppies
8 Neon Tetras

Dunno what the Ammonia is cause I have some test strips that don't test for ammonia.

PH is 6.5
Nitrites 0
Nitrates 40

I've bought them from different stores, first a newish store but other fish from there are fine. 2nd was from my fav store which is always clean and fish healthy, the last one came from a store recommended by my friend whcih was also nice clean tanks etc.

Dunno the age of them really but they were all about 2 inch from head to tip of tail.

Edited to add, I always add stress coat when adding new fish.

Lisaxx

 

[Lynda B]

Wow! That's some list of fish. Unfortunately, a male betta (or even females) are not going to fare well with these fish. A male betta will attack any fish with bright colors or long flowing fins. I'm not sure why your fish are dying, but I would really recommend that you nix the idea of a betta in this tank. It's suicide.

 

[Midwife33]

They just seem to lose the will to live . Not gonna get anymore, don't think Betta's are for me!

Lisaxx

 

[Lynda B]

I'm sure it's not you. But I will tell you that you're much better off not having them at this point. You have a lovely assortment of fish. And they'll all be happier and healthier without a male betta in there ruining the party. Male bettas really prefer to live alone. It would be interesting to know, though, what would have happened if you'd had a male in a separate tank. I hope you're bringing them back to the store, if they're dying that quickly.

 

[rdd1952]

I would suggest getting a good liquid master test kit that will test ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH. Strips are terribly inaccurate. It sounds as if your tank has been set up a while though and since you have nitrate and no nitrite, you probably don't have ammonia either but no gurantee on that. The nitrate could be from the tap.

 

[Midwife33]

I sooooo want another tank!!! I did think of getting a smaller tank just for some Betta's cause they really are stunning, I just need to find the room for it! B)

Lisaxx

 

[Lynda B]

If you get another tank just for bettas, remember you can't keep a male with either another male or with the females. But you can keep approximately 5 females per 10 gallons. And they are a joy.