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i used tap water that had been sitting in a jug for one day, ive had that beta for 3 years and used store bought springwater until that day

2006-11-27 06:01:35 · 12 answers · asked by uimblue 5 in Pets Fish

12 answers

Sorry for your loss! I have kept a variety of tropical fish over many years and truly understand the pain associated with a long-term fish pet. Currently, I am only maintaining my childrens' betta tanks (they each have one).

Usually, tap water that has been sitting for a day or longer is OK for use with tropical fish. However, some tap water contains chemicals that do not readily evaporate from standing water. After sitting out for a day, the cholrine was probably gone, but there may have been another chemical or subtance present that hurt the fish.

One example is copper, which is often present in tap water in homes with copper water lines. In small doses, copper will not kill fish (but will often kill pond snail infestations). In larger doses, copper is lethal to most fish. The best bet is to buy a good water conditioner that removes chlorine, chloramine, and heavy metals from tap water. Of course, this doesn't bring back your betta.

Also, bettas have a typical lifespan of 3-5 years, with 3 years being more typical. Some bettas sold at pet shops are already a year old (sometimes older). There is a very good chance your betta finally died of old age, with the change in water type.

I know a great website for fish advice as well. Do a search for badman's tropical fish. Tell them compensate sent you.

Good luck!

2006-11-27 06:24:29 · answer #1 · answered by Kev 2 · 1 0

Betta are really sensitive to major changes in their water, and it sounds like there is stuff in your local water that was too much for the fish. Were the temperatures of the water the same - the water he was in and the water he was going into HAVE to be the same temp. I've killed a betta by changing the water, but transferring the fish before the temperatures were the same. My local pet store has told me that water temperature is a lot more important than water quality, though clean water with no chlorine is best.

What I do now is make up some new water for him - fill the clean container and add the de-chlorinator- and let it sit overnight. That way I know his current water and his new water are both room temperature. He seems to do fine.

The other possible problem could be he got bruised in the transfer. Sometime when they fight you when you're transferring them from one container to another they fight to stay in the first one. I've had one act pretty lethargic for a day or so after a couple of episodes like that. Still, he lasted three years.

By the way, from what I hear, 3 years is a decent lifespan for these guys.

Sorry you lost him. When you're ready, don't be afraid to try again.

2006-11-27 10:09:38 · answer #2 · answered by mom23kittens 1 · 0 0

Water sitting in a jug does not purify it. There are a lot of chemicals and junk in tap water that fish should not be exposed to. Think of it like having thick smoke in the air that you are breating, you would not survive long either. This problem is easy to solve though - if you want to get another betta. The store you get the fish from should have chemicals. They only cost a few dollars and you just put some in the water while it is sitting, your fish will be much happier (the new one I mean...sorry about yours)

2006-11-27 06:13:07 · answer #3 · answered by Alexis 4 · 0 2

Tap water of course has chlorine. 24 hours it should be gone. I know for a fact ,besides other minerials, some water companies can pu up to 7 points of lime in city water.Its suppose to help get rid of those stains that get on toilets and bath tubs. Always if possible use start right to help rid some of these things from water. Water companies never let people know when they add things to the water.

2006-11-27 14:54:19 · answer #4 · answered by sisapeeka 2 · 0 0

Letting water sit will evaporate the chlorine, but not the heavy metals. Use Amquel or stress-coat next time.

Anyway, 3 years is a decent lifespan for a betta. He may have been too old to handle the shock of a different water source.

Sorry to hear about your betta :(

2006-11-27 06:19:58 · answer #5 · answered by Zoe 6 · 1 0

Betta fish are the purely fish i comprehend of which could stay in a gallon of water. although, they ought to no longer receive any decrease than that. purely because they could live to inform the tale in this type of small quantity of water does no longer advise they does no longer be a lot happier and in good structure in a 2 gallon tank with a filter out and heater. Please evaluate that set-up on your betta truly. although, if you're actually not keen to provide those worry-free centers on your puppy, then a betta is probable your perfect guess. they are very tolerant of their proprietors and are really basic to guard. playstation . Goldfish might want to by no ability be saved in bowls. they favor a lot extra water than human beings understand. Many say that "they purely develop to the size of their field" yet what truly occurs is that the goldfish provide up growing to be because they haven't any extra room to develop and their inner organs get stunted.

2016-11-29 20:32:36 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0 0

The average life span of a beta is 6 to 12 months. It's not unusual for them to live longer but it definitely not the norm. You did nothing wrong. He/she was just old by beta standards.

2006-11-27 09:18:58 · answer #7 · answered by mellow_mellie 2 · 0 0

I have had half a million fish...im guessing it was from stress. Fish tend to be very hard to take care of.If you decided to get another one test the water levels before you put him in! You can get little kits from Wal*Mart or the Pet Store :)

2006-11-27 07:13:03 · answer #8 · answered by Tracey Lee ♥ 2 · 0 0

i had beta fish, but they never lasted very long. he was used to the filtered water, not the minerals in tap water gives off. sorry about your loss.

2006-11-27 06:08:04 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

it has to be at least 24hrs of setting, no less, and it works better to keep it out longer. however you should have tested your water first since you've used spring water. your fish was used to spring water and your tap water was probably dramatically different chemically. (pH, hardness, ect...)

2006-11-27 06:28:53 · answer #10 · answered by Kylie Anne 7 · 0 0

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