Sad :(

[Betta_Shark5678]

My last betta died last night, I didn't notice he was sick until yesterday when he didn't eat. I think he may have had parasites, interal and external. When I got his new tank home last night and got him in it he seemed to do better, but I guess not.

I'm going to get a test kit next time I go to the pet store (I know I should have one, but I decided to go with the tank instead since his was unfiltered and unlit), then I will do even more research until I am SURE I can take care of another betta. I thought I could take care of them, but apparently not, I was doing as much "right" as I could, 3.5+ gallons, heaters, thermometers, now filters, and lights, but I couldn't test the water which may be part of why he was so sick. I was so confused, and upset about my female disapearing that I missed a few water changes in his unfiltered tank.

I may get bettas again soon, but I'm not going to buy one myself until I am absolutely sure that I can take care of it, and I have cycled the tank/tested the water. I may get one as a gift soon, so I will hopefully get the test kit before that happens!

 

[KittyKat]

If the tank is not cycled, getting another fish before a test kit will not be any good.

You probably want to add "check fish twice per day for signs of disease" to your daily maintenance list, that's the way to catch diseases early on!

 

[Betta_Shark5678]

I hadn't ever heard of cycling until I joined this forum, that's why I've never cycled my tanks. I took the filter cartridge from the tank where my female disappeared from and put it into his new tank yesterday. A friend of mine was telling me that she is going to get me a new betta fish for my birthday (which was weeks ago, so I don't know when I might get this betta!), so I'm hoping I get the kit before that happens!

I used to check my fish every day for disease, but like I said I was so shaken by my female's disappearence that I started neglecting Jack. That was, by far, the worst thing to do, for obvious reasons.

Well, hopefully I'll learn from my mistake, I just wish Jack hadn't had to have died for me to learn a lesson...