My beta, Jango is very sick! We did have him in an aquarium with some other fish. He never seemed to like any of them at all. He kept puffing out and charging at them but never got any of them. We think one of our fish tore part of his tail off! We took Jango out and put him in a little bowl by himself and he is acting very sluggish and weak. What should I do? I love Jango so much and I don't want him to be sick and die! What should I do!? Help me, PLEASE! I LOVE JANGO!!!
2006-11-23 13:07:14 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Fish
The bowl is way too small for two fish...
2006-11-23 13:12:50 · update #1
No, the other fish weren't beta. They were all different kinds.
2006-11-23 13:13:49 · update #2
Well... the fish in the tank were a HORRIBLE mix of fish... a puffer, catfish, guppy, gurami, (Jango), and an other orange fish. I tried to convince my Mom that we should take them all back but one, but she said they were starting to adjust to eachother, but she was wrong! I may heat the water or something... I still need more advice...
2006-11-23 13:19:00 · update #3
Jango isn't puffing up when he looks in a mirror...
2006-11-23 13:23:13 · update #4
Jango is starting to pale!!
2006-11-23 19:00:00 · update #5
I've started a new question on paling... I got a good answer... I went to check on Jango... my cat was there and she did something with the bowl and then Jango looked all hurt again... so I watched him all sad and then he slowly floated up like he passed through the vale... I don't know... I'll reply if Jango is alive... maybe it was his time to go... some Thanksgiving...
2006-11-23 19:20:48 · update #6
Some Thanksgiving, right!!? JANGO IS ALIVE!!!
2006-11-23 19:27:47 · update #7
Okay here goes...
1. Do a 100% water change. Be sure the water is treated to make it safe for fish.
2. Go get tetracycline. It is an antibiotic. I get mine at petsmart.
3. Treat him with it according to the label. Make sure you dose correctly. I had to measure tiny amount when my fish was sick (he is in a gallon bowl)
4. Feed him foods high in nutrients. Freeze dried blood worms and pellets are good. You make need to grab it in tweezers and move it around to get him to take an interest. My fish was so sick I actually had to tap him on the mouth with it and that only got him to eat half the time.
5. Be sure he has a plant to rest on. He may get even more tired swimming from the bottom where he can rest to the top to get air. A plant to rest on will give him more energy to heal.
6. Change the water according to the instructions for tetracycline (on the box) as long as you are using it. (I treated my fish with about 3 rounds on antibiotics). After that cut it down to about once every four days.
7. He may be lonely. Bettas are aggresive fish but the are only aggresive towards a few select fish. Other than that they are rather peaceful with other fish (besides other bettas of course)
Give him a mirror and see how he reacts. If he flares at it and seems to be completely after it he is acting normally and may miss tank life. Leave him with the mirror and in the small tank until he heals at least. If he does not react to the mirror he is most likely sick. Keep doing all of the above.
8. Love! sounds like you love him alot! Good going! Don't give up on him and keep showing him that same love. Bettas are sturdy fish. They can survive alot.
9. As for the shredded fins; that will take time. He should be able to get along with what he has left until the grow back. That may take a long time though. Its like trying to grow long long hair after being shaved bald. Time. Be extra careful about fin rot as he heals as he can get it very easily during this time. Be sure to keep his water clean as a precaution to this.
Good luck!
2006-11-23 13:22:07 · answer #1 · answered by Charis 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Well, the problem was that he was in an aquarium with other fish, betas can only live with certain fish species, because of their aggresive tendencies. What you should do now is look up beta care on google, and they will give you tons of advice, more than what I know. Good luck to Jango!
2006-11-23 13:13:11 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I agree with what Charis said, it was very good advice. I have 4 male bettas (all in separate tanks) and 8 females all in one 25ish gallon tank so I'm no stranger to bettas. he should be fine, as long as you give him the antibiotics and nutritious food. his tail will take a while to grow back though. you should also get freshwater aquarium salt and add that to his water, one teaspoon per gallon. it helps keep them healthy. do frequent water changes, once a week should be good, he needs clean water especially when he's injured.
I am concerned though about what all you have in your tank, you said a puffer, do you mean the kind in the ocean? because those are salt water fish and the others you listed aren't, you should separate them if that is the case, keeping them together weill cause them to die. you'll need to put the puffer in a saltwater tank if that is what you were talking about.
2006-11-23 16:22:22 · answer #3 · answered by Kylie Anne 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Beta fish are fighting fish and should be kept separate from all other fish no matter what. Beta fish normally aren't very active, so when you say sluggish and weak, I'm assuming you mean just not moving around as much. Give him a chance to adjust to his new environment and make sure to feed him once a day and give him clean water. I assure you he's fine. And about his tail, if he can still swim, I wouldn't worry about it. Good luck and I hope everything turns out ok.
2006-11-23 13:37:28 · answer #4 · answered by obsdabeff 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
when you put Jango in the bowl did you use the water from the tank ( the water he is familiar with) or new water??? new water would put him in shock and yes it can kill him... was the temp the same??
was everything in the new bowl and including the new bowl clean?? no dish soap?
I certainly hope he lives but fish are not as strong as cats or dogs..
try making sure the water in the bowl is the same..
BETTAS MUST have Betta food
2006-11-23 13:14:15 · answer #5 · answered by CF_ 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Probably stressed out. Put tsp of salt per gal water, warm to around 80, and let JANGO relax for awhile. Can't hurt and helps mine heal. Good Luck..?;)~
2006-11-23 13:14:16 · answer #6 · answered by PaPa Norm 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Your Problem is very simple to explain. I have a beta. When I got him, I asked the lady at the cash register if I can have a beta with other fish and she said that bettas are aggressive and can't live is a tank with other fish. They will fight until one of them get the honorary prize of the tank.
2006-11-23 14:28:52 · answer #7 · answered by Joana T 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
he may be depressed from being seperated or the water temperature is different from his old aquarium. try putting one of the other fish in with him. see if that helps. i hope jango will be ok!
2006-11-23 13:11:14 · answer #8 · answered by goldie 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Normally this how they act when they alone. If, you not sure, get a small mirror and place it so he see himself. He should act his old self again, if not, then he may be sick. But, it sound like he OK, this just how they do alone.
The salt mentioned above may work I not know, make sure it not table salt with iodine added.
2006-11-23 13:16:39 · answer #9 · answered by Snaglefritz 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
oh nooo!! you made a BIG mistake with putting your beta with other fish. they are very competitive fish. i have never done that with my betas that i have had, but i know that if you put two bettas together they will fight until one dies and eventually the other one will too because it is weak.. oh man. i hope the best. what kind of fish were in the tank??? if you ever notice if you were to put a mirror or cd up to the tank/bowl he will puff up.
2006-11-23 13:14:02 · answer #10 · answered by arianaj793 1 · 1⤊ 2⤋