Why So Many Betta Illnesses Being Reported?

[Confused]

Hi buddies, I read a lot of threads about Betta illnesses. This is really getting me worried as I am a starter and I surely won't be able to handle sicknesses (I won't even get to know when one is ill). I wonder why so many illnesses? Is a male Crowntail Betta a hardy or delicate fish? Also, since I won't be able to feed it live or frozen food (as it is not available here), I am getting more worried as to whether the Betta would be more prone to illnesses due to eating just Tetra Bits?

 

[Glod]

I believe Bettas are fairly hardy fish in general. The labyrinth organ allows them to cope a bit better with slightly worse water conditions.

However, the tendency to keep them in small tanks with infrequent water changes can only contribute to any deterioration in fish health. If they're well looked after I'm sure most Bettas have few or no problems with disease

And of course, it's acknowledged we have some Betta experts in these forums, I for one found it a very informative place to ask for advice when my last Betta was ill. The number of "My Betta is ill" posts is therefore somewhat disproportionate to the number of Bettas around.

 

[Fifi]

Hi, I'm also just starting out in bettas, my handsome boy, Jimmy, in my avatar, is my first of many bettas, I'm sure.

I have had him well over a month now, he has shown no signs of illness whatsoever.

I did have a couple of hiccups when I first got him, mainly with him getting used to the lighting in his new tank. he is in a 10 us g tank with a slow filter and heater and happily shares with 4 peppered cories.

I therefore think if looked after properly in the right conditions, there is much less chance of illness. I personally, wouldn't keep him in a unheated, unfiltered bowl. I also wouldn't buy from a petshop, my personal choice, as I have seen in my local shop, bettas being delivered on a thursday and either dying infront of my eyes by the weekend. Not saying all petshops are the same, just my personal choice.

 

[RandomWiktor]

Bettas are amazingly hardy, adaptable fish. They can survive well outside of their ideal pH, live in tank conditions that would kill any other fish, endure a striking amount of abuse, and subsist on the poorest of diets. Unfortunately, this striking ability to survive rough conditions has resulted in stores and fishkeepers alike using the betta's hardiness against it for the sake of their own convenience - small tanks, no heater, infrequent water changes, no filtration, poor breeding; you name it. As a result, many bettas in pet stores or from a neglectful home are on their last legs by the time they reach someone willing to invest the time, money, and effort into properly caring for them. The result is sickly bettas.
I run a betta sanctuary, and I've taken on bettas dying in stores from columnaris, septicemia, emaciation, fin and body rot, parasitic infestations - conditions that would quickly kill any other fish. Almost unfailingly, I have healed this fish, and the overwhelming majority have lived healthy lifespans since then. I'd like to see someone even try that with most other tropicals.
So, yes - when properly cared for, the betta is an amazingly healthy fish. Often, even when improperly cared for, he is a reasonably healthy fish. Only when exposed to the horrific neglect he recieves in stores is he a sickly fish. The fish you see on this board largely come to caring individuals as "rescues" from pet stores, meaning they came from the latter - hence the large number of illnesses reported on this board.

Side note - I agree on avoiding pet stores when possible. Some pet stores have healthy fish, but I can almost never find a pet store with healthy, well-cared for bettas. Some breeders are reasonable about prices, and some will even let you pick the fish up at their residence if they live nearby to avoid shipping stress and cost. Well-bred animals who have been carefully and lovingly raised by an enthusiast will ALWAYS be healthier than poorly mass-bred animals who have had to fight for survival to make it to the pet stores.

 

[lisie]

I definitely agree that getting a betta from a breeder is best if you want a healthy fish. If you don't want to have to pay for a breeding quality fish (although you can usually find some that are pretty cheap) you can contact them and ask if they have any of lesser quality that they would sell for cheaper.

 

[Confused]

Thanks buddies for your very detailed and informative inputs. Your replies has greatly helped in restoring back my confidence in attempting to keep a Betta.

 

[wendywc]

I've had mine since February without a single illness. Of course, I also have him in a 6 gallon with filter and heater and I do a water change every 10 days.

 

[Bettaguy]

Back in the days when I was just starting out with Betta Fish, I had a lot of problems. As time went on, and I learned from my experiences, I can say they are a lot easier to please.

I guess its not how hard the betta is that dictates what problems you will encounter, but the experience and information you have.