I have a male beta and have a couple of questions. First, what is the average life span? My son recieved him for a Easter present last year so he is well over a year old now. Second, this morning when I got up, he looked all puffy and was just kinda "sitting" there at the top of the water. Is he ok? I about a week ago, I put him in a tank with another beta, one of thoes that have the splitter in the middle. Do you think the new one made him sick? Any advise would help! Thanks!
2006-08-16 04:32:46 · 8 answers · asked by Minn_Girl_16 3 in Pets ➔ Fish
The tank I put them in is made for 2 betas. They share the same water, but there is a dark blue plastic peice that splits it into 2.
2006-08-16 04:48:11 · update #1
The average lifespan of a betta is 2-3 years, but some live longer.
If a betta is flaring at another male, his fins will all be out and his gills will be flared. He'll look somewhat puffy, but a flaring betta generally doesn't sit at the top of the tank, but will move around in an attempt to look more menacing.
From what you describe, it sounds like he's a sick fish. If you look at him from the top, do his scales stick out like a pinecone?
If so, he's got an illness called dropsy. It's considered incurable, but a few betta keepers have had some luck with certain fish medications.
If he doesn't have the pinecone effect, he might just be constipated. If so, try to get him to eat a little bit of raw pea. Take a frozen pea, and take the soft part out of the middle and cook it with a drop or three of water for about 7 sec. in the microwave, and cut it into tiny pieces - about the size of his normal pellets. Use a toothpick to put it into the tank near him. Some will eat off the toothpick, but be careful not to poke him. He may not be interested in food. Keep trying at different times of the day though.
I myself have lost 2 bettas to dropsy. Both were over 2 years old.
It is possible that the other fish carried some sort of disease or just the stress of being in a different tank environment is just causing a bit of lethargy.
They really shouldn't be in a split tank unless the divider has been very carefully anchored at the sides. They can slip through the sides if it's just simple mesh, and some are very good jumpers and can jump over the top. Each betta should have at least a gallon of water. Preferably 5 gallons. They can be very active if they have lots of room to move around in with a very light current.
You can do a search to find more information on bettas and their care. Here's a link to some common illnesses and disorders: http://healthybetta.com/illcure.html
2006-08-16 05:08:38 · answer #1 · answered by plaiddolphin 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The average is about 2 years. I've had mine for about 4.
The other betta could have made it sick, if the other one was sick to begin with. It's difficult to tell, sometimes, when fish are sick.
When put near another male, bettas will puff their gills out and spread their fins in a show of dominance. If this is the puffiness you see, your fish should be fine.
2006-08-16 11:40:30 · answer #2 · answered by Protagonist 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think I heard that you are not supposed to put two betas in one tank. There is probably not enough room for both so the younger stronger one is taking something from the other. i know that teh betas do not take oxygen out of the water, they actually go to teh surface and suck actual air and keep it till they run out. maybe try a bigger fish tank but still keep some of the old water. Maybe call petsmart or a pet store and ask what you might do.
2006-08-16 11:39:45 · answer #3 · answered by fleur_loser 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The average life span of a beta fish is 2 to 3 years. They are hardy little fish. See first site for more info. The other site has a description of some signs of illness and one of the examples sounds like yours. I use to have betas and i realy enjoyed them as pets. I hope your fish gets better.
2006-08-16 11:39:35 · answer #4 · answered by Will Crown 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know. But fish are very tricky. "sitting" on top doesn't sound too good. Sometimes, a Fish-Person would bring their beloved fish to the Fish-Man or Woman at the pet or tropical fish store. One time, long ago, I turned on my trop. fish tank, some of the fish were on the floor, all others died in the tank;;;;;all at once!! That was a shock for me. To keep fish - everything has to be 100% perfect, the ph balance-stuff. Sorry, Good Luck!
2006-08-16 11:49:07 · answer #5 · answered by regwoman123 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think he is fine. I have two betta fish in the same container with a divider with a clear divider and so they can see eachother and I have had them for a year and more than a half now.
2006-08-16 14:30:17 · answer #6 · answered by gellie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bettas are not meant to be together and the other betta probably started to fight him that is why he is puffy and if you would like two betta's together try buying a male and a female they can be purchased at petco and can breed if they like each other.
2006-08-16 11:57:15 · answer #7 · answered by brandon p 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
IT'S A BETTA.
It can live for two years on average if it's well-take care of, and the maximum is four.
2006-08-16 11:41:00 · answer #8 · answered by shmux 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋