My neighbor had a beta, and she asked me how to change the water and clean out the tank, and some other things about betas, well my mom used to raise them and i told her all i know, i told her to scoop the beta into a baggy with the water it already is in, and clean the tank out with regular water and a tank cleaner, and put fresh luke warm water in the tank, and place the beta in the water still in the original baggy and water for about a half an hour to get used to it, so she did this, and the beta died, now she is blamming me and told me not to come over any more because i killed her "baby" did i tell her to do something wrong? why is she being so acusitory with me?
2007-07-20 18:20:03 · 9 answers · asked by tinkerbaby18 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
just a lil background info, the tank she has is about 2 galons, but she doesnt have any type of filter for it, no heater, heating light, or clorine cleaner for the water. she has had the fish for about 3 months,
2007-07-20 18:27:12 · update #1
just curious about the bag coment, how do you get the beta used to the water by useing a cup? is this something new, its been almost 10 years since we raised betas?
2007-07-20 18:28:42 · update #2
My first guess would be chlorine poisoning if she didn't use anything. The baggie is a good idea, but I always used a cup. I had a female betta that had an injury, so she stayed in a small bowl-didn't expect her to live long (I"m not a fan of bettas in less then 5 gallons, that's why I'm explaining :) Anyway, I would put her and some of her water in a small bowl/container-the one she came in actually, and when I changed the bowl water out, I would add a little of that into the cup slowly over a few minutes till it was filled, and she could adjust to the new water.
That may also be what happened, if she didn't add any water to the baggie, the ph could've been off as well which could've caused ph shock.
I'd tell the neighbor to get a book or read online on how to take care of her animals/pets BEFORE she buys them. And what's she doing waiting 3 months to do a water change? I'd say no loss in her not speaking with you, sounds like a loon.
2007-07-20 18:42:18 · answer #1 · answered by tikitiki 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Here is some standard info on how to keep a Betta healthy:
The tank is a good size for a Betta, but she should have a heater and especially a filter in there
If you have a tank, you're not suppose to do a complete water change anyway, only partial water changes of 25% weekly with a gravelsiphon is perfect
And whenever you add water you need to use a conditioner to make the water safe for your betta
Scooping the beta out, cleaning the tank and then putting him into new water without a conditioner will definately kill any fish, not just a betta
And also another thing, if you do clean a tank completely you're only suppose to use hot water (if you have algae) or warm water and a scrabber to clean it
Hope that helps
Good luck
EB
2007-07-20 18:59:55 · answer #2 · answered by Kribensis lover 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What I always did with the betta's I've had is prepare their water, then leave the bowl and the cup the fish is in sitting for a while to let both reach room temperature, that way the fish will already be used to the water temperature and there's no need for a bag.
Sounds like your neighbor's just got issues if she's getting that upset over a fish that only costs a few bucks at a pet store. There's a good chance it wasn't even anything she did, the bettas you get from pet stores aren't always in the best of health by the time someone takes them home. I've gotten bettas who lived a year or more after buying them, along with others who were dead the next morning. She probably just got a fish that'd been sitting around too long or was weak to begin with.
2007-07-20 18:43:32 · answer #3 · answered by delta_dawn 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
you told her the right things to do... it could have been a number of reasons her fish died. maybe she used too warm of water or it could have been the chlorine. if she didn't properly acclimate it it could have just gone into shock. there are quite a few parameters that have to be right... and if thats the first time she had cleaned the poor things tank (without having a filter) since she has had it it could have already been on it's way out. it's sad when people think that certain fish can just be kept in a bowl with little attention.
2007-07-20 18:48:47 · answer #4 · answered by Krista 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
did you place water conditioner in the water once you first have been given the beta in the tank. some minerals in the faucet waterr can harm your fish. you will desire to purchase some at your community puppy keep have been they sell fish. your fish water won't be sparkling or the minerals in the water is killing the beta.
2016-10-22 05:44:44 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The betta died of chlorine poisoning, she did not treat the water with water conditioner, tell her to buy some next time.
2007-07-20 18:35:06 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
you said she cleaned the tank with a 'tank cleaner' is that specially designed to be used in fish tanks or was it like windex or something?
only use 'approved' stuff to clean a tank with or just use water, many cleaning chemical are poisonous to fish.
2007-07-20 18:42:14 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Welll..
a bag..?
I'd recommend a cup or glass to put the beta in.
2007-07-20 18:26:33 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
a cup is just stupid. you told her to do the right thing - i dont see how the beta could have died though.
2007-07-20 18:32:51 · answer #9 · answered by B* 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋