Can someone who's not a smart aleck answer this?

Question

I bought a betta earlier this year. I bought a one-gallon tank from WalMart that came with a water filtration system. I read that betta's only need one-gallon of water, so this seemed ideal for them.

I went to the fish store to pick one out. They all were in tiny, plastic bowls that had barely any water in them. They all looked like they were dying. I did not want to get one of those since they were so unhealthy, but my mother told me to save one of their lives.

I took it home, put it in the tank, and after a few days to a week, he was looking beautiful! He seemed very happy!

Now, he is not happy. His colors are very pale and his fins don't look so great. I don't know what the problem is. I take care of mine the same way my sister does, and hers is very healthy, but mine is not.

Keep in mind, I have no job and can't buy an expensive aquarium for him that regulates temperature! We're not all rich!

How can I help him be happy with his current living conditions!?

I didn't get it at Wal*Mart. I actually bought the fish at a place that specializes in fish, but they were just selling them half-dead. My mom's theory was they probably let them die and get insurance money off them or something.

Answer 1

It is most likely due to water quality issues from improper care.

In a one gallon tank, you will need to perform 100% water changes every week. The tank is too small compared to the size of the fish to let it cycle properly. There is just too much waste being produced, and by the time the tank cycled the nitrates would probably be around 80 parts per million. It's much easier to less stressful to the fish to change all of the water once a week.

The filter helps, but it does not solve the problem. Filters don't clean tanks, they don't get rid of waste - they only help the bacteria convert it to a different form (nitrates) which has to be removed manually in such a tank. If you have not been changing the water every week, it's time to start. Tattered fins and inactivity are some of the most common signs of poor water quality, and it is quite possible that what's causing your fish to suffer.

Bettas are also tropical fish, and do not do well in temperatures below 68-70 degrees. If there is no heater, they do best if kept in the warmest part of the house.

Answer 2

While 1 gallon is ideal for bachelor bettas, it cannot support a heater. The minimum wattage heater is good for 10 gallons. Bettas are tropical and like a temperature close to 80*F. You can probably buy some kind of incandescent light (they generate a lot of heat) with a reflector on the inside.

You could probably purchase an entire 10gal tank kit including the heater for cheap. Whatever works best for you. He's probably feeling a lil chilly - bettas will pale in colour when they are too cold. Get a floating thermometer (also cheap...just a couple bucks); not the stick-on-the-glass kind. Those are inaccurate.

When not agitated by the presence of another one of their own species, the males do look a lil more on the dull side. Their full colour and finnage are revealed in the presence of another betta.

By the way, make sure your filtration system is not disturbing the surface of the water too much, nor is it making your betta look like he's caught in a whirlpool. Bettas like CALM waters.

Finally, those full-grown males you see in the petstore are fully grown adults...maybe older.

Good luck!

Answer 3

I am a first grade school teacher and we have a "Betta" for our class pet. He's over a year old now and I had the same problems with him. I purchased a small plastic aquarium for him at "Pets-Mart", and his colors started fading and the fins began to look as if they were tearing off on certain areas. No one could tell me what was happening at the store, so I decided to purchase a very inexpensive small aquarium for him with a "light" inside the cover. I keep it on all day and night at school and his colors started to come back including the fin. The "water was too cold" for him without the light even though "Betta's" are quite hardy fish.
What a difference it made for him. He's always happy and swims around alot. At one point I thought a year ago he was dying. Good Luck with your Betta, and all our 1st grade staff agrees with the lightbulb under the cover.
Teachers don't make alot of money so don't give up hope.

Answer 4

It happens all the time, mine also had this prob, when I asked aquarists, they said that even though pet-stores say 1 gal. is enough...it's not. Atleast 5 gallons is best. Or 10 gals. which are usually sold for less than $10.
but If you still go for the 1 gal. make sure the filter system works. In a 1 gal. you should change the water everyday, abt 10% should be enough. To make sure the water is warm, I used slightly warm water (70 degrees), I added a little bit of aquarium salt(you know, the one DocFish sells, it's cheap), it reduces stress and improves gill function. Don't overfeed either, once everyday, just a sprinkle, and it should be a variety.

If in a ten gal. then same instructions, but instead of changing everyday, change once a month, add a heater, and a good filter.

Answer 5

Sorry, but you been had. bettas, better known as Siamese fighting fish need aeration and clean water as do all fish. If you really want to keep some fish, pick up a small undergravel aeration kit. These run about 4 -5 bucks. This will serve two purposes, keeping your water aerated and the gravel on the bottom will act as a filter to remove fecal and urine from the water. Talk to a reputable person, someone who owns a pet store, not a f-ing Walmart. They will steer you in the right direction. You might have to spend a few extra bucks, but at least your fish will live .

Answer 6

I personally find beta fish to be no good for beginners aquarium enthusiasts. The beta fish does not require much water or aeration (in my experience). Try to make sure to not overfeed your fish and do remember that fish also can get sick.

Good Luck

Answer 7

go to either pet co and petsmart. they have a good selection of betas. often fish stores hear rumors that betas can survive in harsh conditions. but they need to be treated with care like any other fish. petco and other big stores keep healthy betas.

Answer 8

he likely has some sort of disease but I cant tell you which. can u take a picture of the fish and show someone at a local pet store? I presume that you change out the water once a week?

Answer 9

a heater does'nt cost that much. It's kinda like having a baby. You've got to expect surprise expenses. It's a fish though, if you can't afford it get rid of the poor guy.

Answer 10

I borrowed this from the Blue Collar Comedy group. a guy is strolling out of the keep into the parking zone & sees yet another guy with a twine hanger down the window.of his automobile. He says, "Lock your keys on your automobile?" the different guy says, "No, I in simple terms washed it & i'm putting it out to dry!"