I Think My Betta Is Dying!

[BettaRome]

I haven't cleaned Rome's tank in ages. I've simply been adding water as it lowers. Today I decided to really clean it for him. I put him in another bowl and I emptied his tank. I used a half gallon of spring water (which I normally just add to his tank) that was sitting next to where I keep his tank. The cap was closed though. Anyway, I emptied the tank, used a hard sponge to clean it with no soap. Then I put in new rocks that I rinsed twice prior. I used hot water to clean off his fake plant and cave. The water was not enough so I used tap water to fill the rest of the tank.


I put him back in and he was normal. I noticed him behind the filter I have which he sometimes does. Then an hour or so later, I saw him practically laying down on the gravel. His eyes look VERY cloudy and I noticed his fins have white on them as well. I did not notice either of these problems before. He jumped out of his bowl earlier when I was cleaning his tank and I put him back in the small bowl and covered it so he was safe, so I think I would have noticed this before.

Anyway, I tried to get him to swim around and then I called my roommate over. She put him in a the small bowl and in some more tap water and she added conditioner that she has for her tank. He was in a shallow bowl and still not moving much. She added conditioner to my tank and said she thinks it is the tank water and since I changed it 100% and did not wait, he is in shock but doesn't look well. She put him back in his tank. He floated near the top for a while but is now at the bottom. The water is so deep and I think he is too weak to go get air. He is barely breathing.


Should I take water out? Will that disturb him more? I think he is dying! I've had him since March of this year. I don't think he is going to make it....


I think he is slowly dying and I feel awful cause I know it's my fault. I just pulled a lot of the water out and he got a little spooked and moved. I just know he can't get to the top of the tank for air. I've been watching him for an hour and he has not gone up once. The water is now 5 inches above him and he is still now trying to get to the top. I hate to stress him further.... PS his tank is 1.5 gallons

help us.

 

[BettaRome]

Tank size: 1.5 Gal.
pH: I don't know!
ammonia: Don't know
nitrite: I'm a bad fish owner.
nitrate: Really bad.
kH: Am I supposed to know this??
gH: What is this?
tank temp: I don't know.....

Fish Symptoms (include full description including lesion, color, location, fish behavior): Laying on bottom of tank, won't go up for air, cloudy eyes, white on fins.

Volume and Frequency of water changes: I have been just adding spring or tap water when it gets lower. Today I did 100% change. With Tap and Spring water.

Chemical Additives or Media in your tank: I normally dont use any. My roommate put some blue conditioner stuff in after he became listless and cloudy eyed

Tank inhabitants: None

Recent additions to your tank (living or decoration): None

Exposure to chemicals: I dont know. Maybe there was something on the sponge I used to clean the tank?

Digital photo (include if possible): I cannot find my phone but I will post one as soon as I do find it and take a pic

 

[james_fish]

Is there a filter in the tank? No fish will live happily in an unfiltered tank as it is basically swimming around in its own waste.
The tank is also small, too small. Fish waste (Ammonia) will not be diluted much because it's in such little water making it deadly, quickly. A bigger tank, like a 5 gallon with a filter for example would be more appropriate for a healthy Betta.

Also, Betta's are tropical fish. They need water of at least 24°C, unless you have a high room temperature you will need a heater to achieve this.

What I recommend to you is buy a cheap tank from a chain store, that comes with a filter. Buy a cheap 25w heater.

Prepare yourself for some angry comments, as some members don't like fish being kept in this way, including me. But I'm not as passionate as some members, so I go about it in a formal manner.

James.

 

[BettaRome]

This is the first day I got him. First time in 1.5 Gall on tank.

This is what he looks like now....I don't know when the last time he came up for water was...... hours ago.


Tank size: 1.5 Gal.
pH: I don't know!
ammonia: Don't know
nitrite: I'm a bad fish owner.
nitrate: Really bad.
kH: Am I supposed to know this??
gH: What is this?
tank temp: I don't know.....

Fish Symptoms (include full description including lesion, color, location, fish behavior): Laying on bottom of tank, won't go up for air, cloudy eyes, white on fins.

Volume and Frequency of water changes: I have been just adding spring or tap water when it gets lower. Today I did 100% change. With Tap and Spring water.

Chemical Additives or Media in your tank: I normally dont use any. My roommate put some blue conditioner stuff in after he became listless and cloudy eyed

Tank inhabitants: None

Recent additions to your tank (living or decoration): None

Exposure to chemicals: I dont know. Maybe there was something on the sponge I used to clean the tank?

Digital photo (include if possible): I cannot find my phone but I will post one as soon as I do find it and take a pic

 

[hihi100202]

Volume and Frequency of water changes: I have been just adding spring or tap water when it gets lower. Today I did 100% change. With Tap and Spring water.

Chemical Additives or Media in your tank: I normally dont use any. My roommate put some blue conditioner stuff in after he became listless and cloudy eyed

Exposure to chemicals: I dont know. Maybe there was something on the sponge I used to clean the tank?

------------------------------------------------------------------

Never use tap water unless it has been dechlorinated, and tested for water stats.

Might be a good idea to find out what that was...

Soap+Fish=

 

[Katty]

I'm not an expert, but it sounds like he was shocked from the change in the water (too cold, too different, and it sounds like you used some chlorinated water as well). Shock will stress out a fish, lower their immune system's ability to fight off things and so then they can get sick.

I agree with James that getting a heater is a good idea. I'm assuming your house isn't 80°F all the time. The heater should lower the Rome's stress and help them pull out of whatever he has. If you are tight on money and can't buy a whole new tank combo for him at the moment, a little 10 watt heater in the current tank could do. If you get a heater remember to get a thermometer. The glass type you suction to the inside of the tank are best, and very cheap.

You also may want to get a bottle of water dechlorinator if you are going to use tap water. Tap water is chlorinated and while it's safe for people to drink, it's not good for fish to swim in. Chlorine could be contributing to Rome's stress and therefor illness.

If you don't have any test kits, you can get your ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate checked at some pet stores for free. If you are in the U.S., Petsmart and Petco will test your water for free if you bring in a cup of it. Other petstores may do this as well. I do recommend buying at least an ammonia test kit at some point, they are expensive though so right now if you can get it tested at the store and bring back the results back here that would be great.

What does the "white on fins" look like? Are the fins white colored, or is there white film or fuzz growing on them?

Does the tank have a filter?

 

[BettaRome]

Volume and Frequency of water changes: I have been just adding spring or tap water when it gets lower. Today I did 100% change. With Tap and Spring water.

Chemical Additives or Media in your tank: I normally dont use any. My roommate put some blue conditioner stuff in after he became listless and cloudy eyed

Exposure to chemicals: I dont know. Maybe there was something on the sponge I used to clean the tank?

------------------------------------------------------------------

Never use tap water unless it has been dechlorinated, and tested for water stats.

Might be a good idea to find out what that was...

Soap+Fish=

Oh I didn't use soap. No no. I never use soap. Just hot water. Put I thought that was a new sponge. Maybe there was something on it I didn't know about??

Now I know about Tap water. I feel so bad!

 

[BettaRome]

I'm not an expert, but it sounds like he was shocked from the change in the water (too cold, too different, and it sounds like you used some chlorinated water as well). Shock will stress out a fish, lower their immune system's ability to fight off things and so then they can get sick.

I agree with James that getting a heater is a good idea. I'm assuming your house isn't 80°F all the time. The heater should lower the Rome's stress and help them pull out of whatever he has. If you are tight on money and can't buy a whole new tank combo for him at the moment, a little 10 watt heater in the current tank could do. If you get a heater remember to get a thermometer. The glass type you suction to the inside of the tank are best, and very cheap.

You also may want to get a bottle of water dechlorinator if you are going to use tap water. Tap water is chlorinated and while it's safe for people to drink, it's not good for fish to swim in. Chlorine could be contributing to Rome's stress and therefor illness.

If you don't have any test kits, you can get your ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate checked at some pet stores for free. If you are in the U.S., Petsmart and Petco will test your water for free if you bring in a cup of it. Other petstores may do this as well. I do recommend buying at least an ammonia test kit at some point, they are expensive though so right now if you can get it tested at the store and bring back the results back here that would be great.

What does the "white on fins" look like? Are the fins white colored, or is there white film or fuzz growing on them?

Does the tank have a filter?

I think it is fin rot? It has a filter. But his fins were so pretty before and now they look like that.

I will have to go to the store and get medicine and testing kits, a 10w and a thermometer.

I feel sooooo bad. He hasn't moved from that spot by the shell in hours but when I go into the room to check on him, I see his fins moving, which is better than before.

Okay, so here is my to do list for tm: (if he survives the night and I hope he does!!!!!)

Pick up a heater, therm, and some aquarium salt, and meds, as well as test kits. Also, bring in a cup of the tank water to have it tested.

Post results on here.


Gonna try to sleep. I hope he is okay over night and tm til I can get some medicine..... Fingers and toes are crossed.


Thanks for your help everyone.

 

[Tolak]

Ask for numbers when they give you the results, shops are famous for "OK", "normal" and "high".

 

[BettaRome]

RIP Rome

I'm so sorry you had to suffer








It's all my fault.

 

[Athena]

Oh dear, that's sad

Well, lots of people make mistakes like this so don't be too hard on yourself. Too many aquatic centres sell fish without enquiring as to whether the person buying has an appropriate tank set up for it.

Use this bad experience to learn from so that before you buy any more fish you can go about setting up the tank correctly to give your fish the best possible environment.

So, look for a tank about 5 gallons for a betta (some people have them in 3 gallons but a 5 gallon won't cost much more).

Next, read up on these forums pinned notes about cycling a tank properly.

You have already learnt that you need to use de-chlorinator in tap water, you need a heater thermostat and filter and also thermometer.

Also, buy some silk or live plants (silk are probably lower maintenance and easier for beginner), no sharp gravel or objects the betta can rip fins on.

Feeding a good quality, varied diet also keeps the betta healthy. So, some live baby brine shrimp once a week, a few pieces of frozen bloodworm or daphnia every other day or so, some betta pellets or flake (some betta's won't eat flake though), occasional tiny piece of squashed pea (about pinhead size) to aid digestion and prevent constipation.

Hope that's helped - regards, Athena

 

[BettaRome]

Oh dear, that's sad

Well, lots of people make mistakes like this so don't be too hard on yourself. Too many aquatic centres sell fish without enquiring as to whether the person buying has an appropriate tank set up for it.

Use this bad experience to learn from so that before you buy any more fish you can go about setting up the tank correctly to give your fish the best possible environment.

So, look for a tank about 5 gallons for a betta (some people have them in 3 gallons but a 5 gallon won't cost much more).

Next, read up on these forums pinned notes about cycling a tank properly.

You have already learnt that you need to use de-chlorinator in tap water, you need a heater thermostat and filter and also thermometer.

Also, buy some silk or live plants (silk are probably lower maintenance and easier for beginner), no sharp gravel or objects the betta can rip fins on.

Feeding a good quality, varied diet also keeps the betta healthy. So, some live baby brine shrimp once a week, a few pieces of frozen bloodworm or daphnia every other day or so, some betta pellets or flake (some betta's won't eat flake though), occasional tiny piece of squashed pea (about pinhead size) to aid digestion and prevent constipation.

Hope that's helped - regards, Athena

Thanks Athena. I really appreciate it. I don't know if I'm going to get another one. My boyfriend and roommate think I should, but it was just so sad. I know it was my fault and I don't want to hurt another one, especially kill it. I am going to keep learning and then think about another one. I hate pet stores for being so misleading though.

Thanks again.

 

[Katty]

Sorry for your loss
As Athena said, don't be too hard on yourself, its really easy to get started on the wrong foot in this hobby. At least you cared about your fish and made an effort to try and save it, I know many people who can't say they'd do the same for their "pets". Take it as a learning experience so that if you decide to get another betta you can give it the best life possible.

If you're still thinking about getting another fish, the resource center here is a good place to learn some new things or maybe even just get a refresher. Google is also helpful once you figure out what websites are reliable, and the forum is an amazing resource for any questions you have. There's no need to rush into buying a new betta now; you can never be too prepared.