What should I do to help rescue my fish. I've already removed him fromt the infected bowl and put him in clean water. Is there any medications that you might suggest?
2007-09-10 09:29:08 · 5 answers · asked by J F 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
You probably don't need to add any more medication/chemicals if that's what already stressed him.
Bettas shouldn't be kept in bowls - this doesn't allow them much water volume for swimming or diluting their wastes - if he was acting lethargic before the use of the algae control, it's probably because there was ammonia and/or nitrite building up in the water, and both of these are toxic to fish. As these get used by bacteria, they are converted to nitrate, which is less harmful to your fish, but acts as a plant (and algae!) fertilizer. I would recommend getting your betta a small tank (2.5 gallons or more) with a filter and a heater (these are tropical fish, and should have a water temperature of at least 76o, or they become lethargis as well). In this type of set-up you should only need to change about 1/4 of the water each week (and you can leave the fish in the tank while you change the water, which causes him less stress). In an unfiltered bowl, it's best to change all of the water every 2 days.
2007-09-10 09:41:55 · answer #1 · answered by copperhead 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Leave him alone for now. He may or may not survive.
But let's talk about your betta bowl. Fish pee and poop is like food for algae, so if you don't clean the bowl often enough, chances are likely that you are going to get algae. The surest way to keep algae away is to clean a minimum of 50% of the water at least once a week and keep it out of the sun.
You should never add chemicals to your tank unless there is no other option. Chemicals can create unstable water conditions and it is very easy to overdose and kill your fish.
For now, I would just keep your betta's water really clean, change 50% of the water every 3 days, and double the amount of water conditioner you're using. Leave the lights off too, keeping your fish in semi-darkness will help keep him less stressed.
Good luck. And throw away those chemicals.
2007-09-10 09:43:52 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, a beta fish can jump out of its bowl. It is wise to place a cover with holes over the bowl so that the fish can not jump out of the bowl. If you don't have a lid make sure that the water isn't filled right to the top of the bowl because that makes it easier for the fish to jump out of the bowl. There are some plastic beta fish bowls that come with a cover attatched to the container with holes for air.
2016-04-04 00:43:24 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I second what Copperhead said about the 2.5 gallon tank being better for your fish.
Why did you put in the Algae Control? Is there algae in your bowl?
2007-09-10 14:48:58 · answer #4 · answered by ninjaaa! 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
next time try 1 drop you probably overdosed him
2007-09-10 12:04:14 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋