Not Swimming

[Spishkey]

sorry just have to disagree with honeythorn there for a moment, im sure this is what she meant but didnt explain so well


Depending on what filter you have, and what filter media you use in it, some media you can take out and change weekly, white filter wool for example.
BUT things like ceramics and sponges should be left in the filter and not replaced as this is where your good bacteria live. (even though in your instruction booklets it may tell you to replace them every so many weeks, there really is no need unless they are very old and dropping to pieces ) if they are looking grubby, take a small amount of tank water in a bowl (NOT tap water) and rinse the sponge about in the bowl (not too much, just swirl it round till the big bits of gunk come off) then replace. never rinse it in tap water as this will kill off the good bacteria.

 

[Honeythorn]

??? Why would you need to remove filter wool weekly? Just rinse part of it the same as a sponge. There's no need to remove any completely.

Sure you don't mean the one inch per gallon rule? Which is renowned to be dodgy in itself anyway. That 6 gallon is definitely overstocked with the wrong sort of fish ( except the betta ) Tetras and Danios are schoolers as you probably know, and they really need a lot more space that 6 gals as they need to be in bigger number that what you have them in currently. 8 of each is a preferable number. A 20 gallon would be a good choice for that, you could have 8 or so of the tetras and add 7 more danios to create two proper groups. Then leave the betta in his 6 gal.

If he's bloated you may want to try a cooked mushed up pea to flush him out . Keep up the weekl water changes fromn now on, they are essential as the tank is so small, even more important now you have a Nitrite reading. 0.1 may not seem much to you, but any is bad for your fish, that should be at zero like your ammonia. Your tank may be cycling again seeing as you have up till now been removing filter media. Leave the media alone until you notice a reduction in the flow coming out of the filter, that's when you need to rinse a bit of it in some used tankwater.

As you have noticed, Ebay do good deals on tanks. Also look in your local classifeds in the pets sections. I see tanks with stand in there all the time ( and wish I could buy them ) for reasonable prices. You're looking for something about 2 and half feet long. Just measure any possible tanksites very well so you're sure it will fit.

 

[Emily]

Thanks, I will get on the pea thing straight away..

And as far as a new tank is concerned, if my fella ever wants to see my side of the bed again! well enough said....

 

[Phoenixbaby]

Thanks, I will get on the pea thing straight away..

And as far as a new tank is concerned, if my fella ever wants to see my side of the bed again! well enough said....

bribery........ I like it

 

[azulfire24]

all health and water maintance issuse aside....
you say you had your guy for 6 months now? well not to try to sound like a pain or to be a prat, but he might just be getting old and nearing the end of his time.

betta only get between 3 to 4 years, but there are always the exceptions, up to the 5.. 5 1/2 range,

but that mostly goes on home bred fish that were never subjected to the stress of being a pet shop fish....over crowding, shipping ,, store conditions, then on to new owners , a trip home again then a new tank?

and to start off with most pet store finds are usually mass breeder extras or whatnot, and sometimes can be very young or on the older side..
so your buddy could have been a year or 2 when you bought him.

at any rate you are on here trying to do the best you can with the knowlege you were given at the time , then you turned around and listened to all ''our'' suggestion s and tryed to do every thing for the wellfare of your fishes. we were all newbees at one time and did learn over time what would be optimum conditions for a bettas , thought there are many cases outside the norm.

with him being ill, and the small tank size it might be a better idea to leave him alone in a tank,,and re tank the other fish.. hey i give u props for trying

 

[ThePiggy]

I've read of a few people having their bettas for 7-8 years. Though, it's not common because many people don't provide flawless care for their bettas.

 

[Honeythorn]

They've been known to live up to 9 years in labs . 3 years or so is hardly old.

 

[Phoenixbaby]

They've been known to live up to 9 years in labs . 3 years or so is hardly old.

In your opinion maybe

It all depends on the individuals, its like some people will live to only 70, others over 100, it really does depend