New Betta~Not looking good

[Mesome]

So I had a 2 gallon tank and was waiting to find something to put in it. I went to PetSmart today to get some stuff, and they had A TON of bettas in their little cups, and the water in them had what looked like blue food coloring. I felt really bad for them so I picked one out and brought him home. Well, he does NOT look good. He's staying at the bottom, and just lays there without moving. I've tapped on the side to see if he's alive, and then he'll move a little, but not much. There were several at the store that were dead in their cups. Any idea if this is normal behavior?

 

[juliethegr8t]

No, that is definitely not healthy betta behavior. He may be sick. I would suggest keeping him warm if possible, keeping his water very clean, and possibly adding some aquarium salt and/or BettaMax.

I hate to say it, but a lot of us (including me), have learned not to "rescue" bettas. It often doesn't turn out well.... but I wish you the best of luck.

 

[Mesome]

Thanks Julie. I should have known better. Any idea why the water he was in was blue? Maybe just food coloring...

Well, today he is MUCH more active. Hasn't eaten though. I got some Top Fin Betta bits, which he isn't interested in so I'll give him a few bloodworms today and get something else. Any suggestions?

 

[White Whale]

Do you still have him in the cup? What's making the water blue is MethyBlue - a type of disease preventative. You need to give him fresh water and maybe a little BettaMax. Just give him time to acclimate.

 

[Mesome]

NoNoNo! He is out of the cup. I put him in a 2 gallon hex with a gravel filter that cycled for about 2 weeks. Nitrate is ~5 and nitrite and amonia are 0. He was so sad in the cup is why I got him in the first place. He had a bunch of dead neighbors in their cups, and I had to save him! I'll try the betta max. Thanks!

 

[iloveyou]

the blue water is actually a type of stress medicine... they do it here too... it prevents diseases and makes water ok or something.... ive had that happen... feed it good foods aswell... i had one that didnt move for a full week.... started feeding it freeze dried brine shrimp and now its very lively... but i also had one like that that didnt make it... so who knows

 

[Jayderana]

I have to say that i found it really rewarding rescuing my betta from Wal-mart. I think every creature deserves a chance and you should feel proud that you are giving at least one a chance at a healthy life. My fish also came from extremely poor conditions ...in fact they were so poor that all of the fish were near death and wal-mart was trying to push them out the front door as fast as they could. He was a little out of it for the first couple days but he bounced back and so far the only problem we have had was a mild case of fin rot that was easily cured by some Jungle fungus eliminator chased with (not mixed with) some bettamax. He is happier than ever ..... bettamax is a great product and I would listen to the people that suggest to get it....and get it soon considering there was a post a while back stating that they have gone bankrupt. Good luck with your new guy... I hope he bounces back and gets to live out the life he deserves.

 

[pendragon]

Your guy probably just had "cup sickness". He'll probably perk up and recover in a little time, but in the meantime he needs lots of clean water, and the BettaMax is a good idea too. Out of the blue water and into the green!

pendragon!

 

[Mesome]

Thanks for the help everyone!
He is looking much better! Good enough to give him a name...hope I don't jinx myself! I named him Captain Stubing. He is now the captain of his own love boat!

 

[cutechic]

LOL @ Cpt. Stubing and his love boat

Good to hear your little guy is doing better. Keep up the water changes and nice foods and he should be completely healthy in no time!

 

[cometcattle]

I would pet a small heater in the tank.

 

[Mesome]

I would pet a small heater in the tank.

I was going to, but I think I just need a different tank. When the light is on, the captain's tank gets a little warmer, and I'm afraid that if I put in a heater it will cook him!!!

 

[SaltyMist]

I guess which LFS you ask about that blue stuff you may get a different answer.

At my LFS they tell me its called "something"buddy (Im not sure what the word something is supposed to be replaced with, but I believe the last part, that of buddy is correct according to my LFS). They told me that it basically keeps the water okay for the fish to survive in the cup, and that it blocks the amonia in the water.

They also suggested pouring as little of his blue water into the tank as was possible. I opted for none of it in my tank.

 

[sydney]

I guess which LFS you ask about that blue stuff you may get a different answer.

At my LFS they tell me its called "something"buddy (Im not sure what the word something is supposed to be replaced with, but I believe the last part, that of buddy is correct according to my LFS).

My lfs said that they were called "bag buddies". I live quite a ways from my pet shop (but I refuse to go any where else they are the BEST!! ) so they usually put one in for me. It is a little tablet that dissolves and makes the water blue. I am pretty sure it is different from the medicine that they put in the betta cups. B)