2006-12-11 07:45:07 · 9 answers · asked by nipper 2 in Pets ➔ Fish
Did you use dechlorinator? Was the water the same temperature? Did your hands or the water come into contact with some toxin or soap? Did someone clean the area around the bett'as tank with bleach, or spray an aerosol can in the room?
Was he exhibiting any symptoms before the change? Such as frayed fins, white spots, bloating, scales sticking out, reddness etc.
What do you keep him in and how often do you change the water? Bettas kept in small bowls or tanks without filtration are often more sickly, because in small tanks without filters, the ammonia builds up rapidly and can poison a fish, making them more susceptible to other diseases and stress.
Fish don't just 'die' - there is always a cause if you know where to look.
2006-12-11 07:51:28 · answer #1 · answered by Zoe 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Most likely reasons in no particular order:
*Too drastic of a temperature swing
*Chloramines, Chlorine or other treatment chemicals not being completely removed. Also distilled water is a no-no (just in case)
*Treatment facilties sometimes draw water depending on drought, winter, demand etc, from various sources. An example is the one in my area which sometimes draws from a clay lined reservoir and sometimes from a limestone rich river. PH is drastically different even from the same tap depending on the source that day. PH swings are deadly to fish and are often a culprit. Even if the water source is always the same, you still can encounter this problem if you change too much of your aquarium water at once (as in the case of complete water changes) because the Ph in the aquarium will be different due to the waste products of the fish.
*Betas and goldfish are often misrepresented by pet shop owners as not needing much water (often sold in small globes). This is somewhat true, but not entirely. A small environment is much more susceptible to changes, and changes more rapidly than a larger one. Whatever size your aquarium is, it is SMALL relative to the fishes normal habitat. The larger the environment, the safer for the fish.
Assuming the fish was healthy and unstressed, the best way to change the water to minimize the stress for the fish and the effects of Ph and temperature swings, and or other possible contaminates is to only change 10% to 15% of the water weekly. This keeps the tank water clean, keeps the protective coating on the fish's scales and reduces the impact of the change.
2006-12-11 16:14:10 · answer #2 · answered by kroolhand 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I breed Bettas and there are a couple of probable answers. First, if you have city water, the build up of chlorine and other additives in the fish's system over time could cause death. A sudden change in water temperature can also send a fish into shock so make sure to keep the water at relatively the same temperature. Also, pH is basically irrelevent, the more you mess with putting more chemicals in the water the worse off you'll be.
2006-12-11 15:59:37 · answer #3 · answered by Captain_Pyrata 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am so glad you asked! I had the exact same thing happen this weekend with my Betta. He was totally fine, changed the water and he died. I changed the water the same way I always do and always did for my other Betta who lived more than 2 years - checking the temperature, adding the water treatment, letting it stand a few minutes. I am completely flummoxed. Thanks to all who answered! I am assuming temperature or mystery chemical, although I am doubtful of either... Anyone else have any suggestions?
2006-12-11 15:59:14 · answer #4 · answered by Jessica D 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hmm. Maybe something got in the water, maybe the temperature changed...
My betta fish always plays dead when i change his water. I think it's uncomfortable to switch so fast. If you ever get another fish, leave the water that you're going to use out for a day in the same room that the fish is so the temperature comes to be the same. Also get some stress coat from the fish store. I'm not exactly sure what it is...I think it makes the water comfortable for them again.
2006-12-11 15:51:32 · answer #5 · answered by :) 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
maybe it was going to die anyways, or maybe the water was to hot or to cold. Also you should never just put a fish in tap water without using that stuff to balance the ph and take out all the bad stuff in tap water that aren't good for fish.
2006-12-11 15:49:29 · answer #6 · answered by iggy315 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Perhaps there was a change in water temperature?
2006-12-11 15:47:33 · answer #7 · answered by LYNN W 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you did not remove all of the chlorine from the water.
2006-12-11 15:49:37 · answer #8 · answered by chelsea j 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
maybe just a fluke, it was sick or something already, did you use something different to clean with, soap ect.?
2006-12-11 15:48:03 · answer #9 · answered by college_cowgirl80 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋