Is my betta sick?,

[SilverStar]

So, I just got a betta fish a couple days ago. I'm not sure of the tank parameters or his age, but the water was conditioned and put in 2 days ago when I first got him. Today I noticed his fins had become white at the tips, picture below:

Should I be concerned about this?

 

[NickAu]

Should I be concerned about this?

No, But I will ask you some questions and depending on the answers give you some advice.

How big is the tank?
Has it got a filter?
Is it cycled?
Has it got a heater?
Any live or fake plants?

 

[SilverStar]

1. I... can't find the measurements. It's smaller, but I don't know exact size.
2. Not that I can find.
3 No.
4. Again, no.
5. And no.

I'll admit I got the tank a few days ago because of a gift and then family went out and bought me a fish before I could do research....

 

[NickAu]

Hi
No problem we get a lot of new fish keepers here, Lets see what we can do to help you.

Can you measure the tank and give us its dimensions?
How long is it from left to right?
How tall is it?
How wide is it? front to back.

Because the tank is unfiltered unheated uncycled and has no plants knowing the tank size will give us some idea on water change schedule and some things you will need.

 

[SilverStar]

15.5 cm wide*11 cm deep*14 cm tall are the measurements if my ruler is correct.

 

[NickAu]

Ok

That makes it 2 liters? In my opinion thats too small for a Betta but we can work with it until you get a bigger tank.

Till then.

You will need to do daily water changes of 50 to 75 % with dechlorinated water, This is a must.

What type of water conditioner do you have?
How cold dose it get at your place right now? Bettas need a heater so unless your place is in around 26 deg C ( about 80 F) you need a heater kinda fast.


We can deal with ammonia in the tank with water changes and some floating plants, I would recommend water sprite.

The next issue is water temperature, Can you tell me what country you live in and I will look for a heater for that tank?

What are you feeding him?
How much?
How Often?

Feeding correctly is vital because uneaten food causes ammonia, fish poop causes ammonia, overfeeding fish is bad for the fish.

Look I know you came here asking about his tail and are now getting bombarded with questions and Im sorry but depending on your answers I see some real problems in the next week or less.

 

[SilverStar]

USA, spec coastal Middle California for country/area. My family refused to take me to get a heater because my dad is acting like it's fine and claims he kept tropical fish w/o a heater.... any help overruling family doing that?

Some fish pellets, can't check the brand right now because I should be asleep. I accidentally gave him too much first day and tried to cut back to 0 the next day just in case, but a family member gave him 2 pellets andI could not stop
him and I'm intending to feed 3 pallets/day when I can safely feed again.

Edit: also... so my tank was apparently marketed for bettas even though it's WAY too tiny. How do I explain to family that thinks it's fine because of that?

Edit 2: Also, how should I acclimate him to a new tank & to the heater? Should I put water sprite in this tank and transfer it to the new one? How big of a tank should I get so I only have to change water weekly?

Edit 3: also... my family is going to Canada for 1 week in a bit over a week. Any help for care directions during them/what to do? Sorry for all the questions but my family kind of shoved me into this blind....

Edit 4: Just saw heat question... outside is about 50 Fahrenheit at day due to winter, home is warmer.

 

[Colin_T]

My family refused to take me to get a heater because my dad is acting like it's fine and claims he kept tropical fish w/o a heater.... any help overruling family doing that?

Most captive bred tropical fish can live in water with a temperature between 18-30C (64-86F), however they prefer it around 24-26C. But most species can easily tolerate 18-20C as long as the temperature goes down slowly over a period of weeks or months.

You should get a thermometer to sit in the tank and record the temperatures each day. If the water temperature gets down to 20C then you should get a heater.

If the temp does drop, reduce the feeding. Fish don't need as much food in cooler water.

 

[NickAu]

At the father.

You people got the kid a live animal as a gift? now its your duty to help the child look after it correctly.

If you wont consider a heater, the fish will weaken get sick and die over the next few weeks while your child watches, great parenting there.

 

[Colin_T]

play the guilt game there Nick, good one

Dad, if my fish dies from the cold, I am gonna cry all the way to the pet shop.

 

[SilverStar]

(Sorry I was late, my notificqrions broke a little.)

I'm going to have to save that one. Going to try asking them again tomorrow to take me to a pet store & get a heater, plant and a 2.5 gallon tank.

 

[NickAu]

2.5 gallon tank.

5 gallon would be better.

This would be perfect
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Aqua-Cul...hguid=498c780b-e86-167d53c372aa3f&athena=true

Throw in a heater
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Penn-Pla...hguid=0a5192c1-342-167d53b375cbdc&athena=true

then all you need is some plants

 

[Colin_T]

As Nick said, go for a bigger tank. If you want a 2.5 gallon container, buy a 99c bucket from a hardware store. Hell, why not splurge and buy a 5 gallon bucket for $2.00

When it comes to fish tanks, bigger is better. Get the biggest tank you can afford to buy and have room for. Anything less than 5 gallons is a waste of time and money. Even then a 10 gallon is better.

 

[SilverStar]

Ah, I see, thanks for letting me know! Also thanky ou for the recommendations.

 

[NickAu]

Hi

You are welcome.

Please dont forget to do daily 75% water changes using dechlorinated water.