my BETA fish is DYING! HELP?

Question

I need someones help fast!! My BETA fish is so sick and I can't stop crying! His name is French Toast and he is the happiest friendliest beta I've ever had, but I think he is dying and it is all my fault! He was FINE until today.... I took him and transported him in the car to my new apartment. As soon as we got to the location I changed his water and everything. Not soon after did I notice a diffrence in his behavior. He looks like he is struggling to breathe... he sits at the top of the tank not moving and when I tap the tank he starts to sink down. The front of his face has turned a little red too... it's like he gave up and dosn't want to live. I don't want my friend to die on Christmas can anyone help me?? I'll try anything to help him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I dont know what I did wrong but It's my fault

THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH EVERYONE who responded so quickly to my question. All of your advice was much appreciated. I did all that I could but I'm afraid it was too late for French Toast. The good thing that came out of this is my next beta will have a better chance of living a long life thanks to all your help!

Answer 1

Sounds like your betta is in a bit of trouble. He could possibly die, but here is something you can do to help.

First, make sure the temperature of the water is at a good level. Too cold and he can die. Also, make sure you've dechlorinated the water. If you've moved into a new place, the water may be different and could contain chloramines which contain ammonia and in my case, they were at dangerous levels for fish. Get a fish product like Amquel + that gets rid of ammonia if you do not have it already. If a fish's gills are turning red and there is a massive change in its behavior, he could be suffering from ammonia burn and could be dying from it. If you have any type of test kit (which I recommend for any fish-keeper) test for ammonia, chlorine, and nitrite levels. Also, if you have a kit (I recommend the one from API) or will get it, test your water so you know what you are dealing with as far as chlorine and chloramines.

I'm sorry if your fishy doesn't make it, but I would defiatly follow those instructions to give your betta a chance. I've had fish die many times from ammonia because I didn't know that my tap water had chloramines. The dechlorinator gets rid of the chlorine but not the ammonia. At times the ammonia read .5 which is dangerous for fish. So buy a testing kit. A complete kit is no more than $20 and lasts a long time, especially for just one betta. Get Novaqua and Amquel +. They work wonders for getting rid of ammonia, chlorine, and chloramines in water.

Also, do not attempt to feed the fish while it is so stressed. Fish can go a while without food, so no reason to be concerned about food right now.

Answer 2

Betta fish are the only fish I know of that can live in a gallon of water. However, they should not be given any less than that. Just because they CAN survive in such a small amount of water doesn't mean they wouldn't be much happier and healthier in a 2 gallon tank with a filter and heater. Please consider that set-up for your betta instead. However, if you're not willing to provide these basic amenities for your pet, then a betta is probably your best bet. They're very tolerant of their owners and are very easy to take care of. PS. Goldfish should never be kept in bowls. They need much more water than people realise. Many say that "they only grow to the size of their container" but what really happens is that the goldfish stop growing because they have no more room to grow and their internal organs get stunted.

Answer 3

Ohh so sorry :( fish dont like to be transported..even if they dont get jostled around it causes stress. Did you check the water at your new place? Might be something in it that wasnt at your old place. The pipes may even be different if the water source is same. Check water, check temperature. I would suggest always using a "Water Conditioner" product available at pet stores. You add a little and it neutralizes chlorine,chloramines heavy metals and other things. Unfortunately likely hard to get on this night of all nights. Can u put him back in his old water or did you dump it? I hope he makes it :( Take care.

Answer 4

Is there a way to put the fish in the original water? You're supposed to put the fish in a bag with old water in it, then put the bag in the new water so the fish can adjust. Try feeding the fish or put those fish-vitamins in the water. I'm sorry about the fish, best of luck! :)

Answer 5

It's the water. Can you get water from your old location? The water is probably chlorinated and it must set for several days before using. There are chemicals you can add to a new tank to prepare the water.

Answer 6

Wow, emotionally attached? Take it easy, did you treat the water and take out the chlorine in the water? This sounds like what happened. Or you washed the inside of the tank with some cleaner with nasty chemicals.

Answer 7

It sounds like you didn't remove the chlorine from the water. You always need to treat the water. Try finding a vending machine with bottle water and change the water.

Answer 8

I'm sorry, but I had the same thing happen when I moved one. He died later that night. Your beta fish is either already dead or fixing to die. You probably had him outside the tank too long or the stress was too much for him to take.

Answer 9

i think it was the change in altitude, same thing happened to me and let them adapt and dont push them, they should get comfortable with the enviroment. also u should start with a new food, try some medicine,chlorine out of the water,etc.

Answer 10

try changing his water again...making sure that it is the right temp and make sure that you have the "bowl buddie" tablet in the water (or what ever else you have to take the cholorine out of the water)

if that dont work then im sorry! i understand how you feel, my betta died and few weeks ago! :(