My mom is on her 3rd betta this year. Her first one lasted a few years but she can't seem to keep them alive anymore. This one-Maurice-rarely eats, he sometimes lays on the rocks at the bottom of his bowl. He's in one of those vase things with a plant. His food rots, so my mom was cleaning his water today and she injured him. He's a crown tail, and a bunch of the tips of his fins came off; when she was dumping out the water i think the rocks hit him-this was just a couple of hours ago. He looks like there's something growing on him now. He's pretty pale-has been for a week or so now. I feel bad for Maurice, anything we can do to make his life better?
2007-04-16 11:41:06 · 3 answers · asked by ness tea 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
Yes, there sure is. The best thing you could do for him is get him in a filtered and heated tank of about 2.5 gallons or so. Barring that the next best thing would be get him out of the vase and into a regular bowl with no plant on top. Barring that the next best thing is to lose the plant from the top of his bowl.
The only thing you might see growing on him this quickly after an injury is a fungus. That's readily treatable with fungus medications from the pet store.
He's probably pale from being too cold. That would explain the pale color, the lack of energy and the lack of appetite.
He really does need more water and cleaner water to be healthy. A healthy betta kept in a proper environment should live for 4-5 years easily, s maybe that could tell you something about the quality of those betta vases with the flower on top? Don't feel bad, millions of people fall for it every year. Hope that helps you, your mom and Maurice. Feel free to email me if I can help further.
MM
2007-04-16 11:56:18 · answer #1 · answered by magicman116 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
First, bettas really shouldn't be in a vase with plants. They are surface breathers and need open water at the surface. Most likely the reason he wasn't eating it that he was stressed from ammonia in the water. An unfiltered bowl need a daily (or at least every other day) 100% water change to remove ammonia.
And when making a water change, the fish should be removed first and placed in a cup of the water from the bowl before you pour anything out that can hit and harm them.
Based on the description you have given of him, I doubt there is anything that can be done for him. Besides his injury, it sounds as if he has some type parasite too. Those are generally brought on by stress which is a result of poor water conditions. You might try adding some Melafix but it is probably too late.
As far as making hid life better, I would suggest getting a 2 gallon or larger tank with a small filter. He can live in a vase or small bowl just like we can live in a tiny one room shack. But just like we would be happier in a large, beautiful house, he will be happier in a nice size tank with a filter. The fish will be much more active and healthy. Bettas can live for up to 5 years if cared for properly and kept in the right environment.
2007-04-16 11:57:12 · answer #2 · answered by rdd1952 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You could try to cut the fins but beware,a fish is so delicate and if you touch its scales or head even the slightest,it can die.
2016-05-17 04:45:15 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋