Why can't I keep a betta fish alive?

Question

I cannot seem to keep a betta fish alive. I have had about 4 and I the one that I currently have has been alive for about 5 months (the longest yet). It was in my classroom up until Thursday when I brought it home for break. I noticed a white cottony growth on its body and purchased the proper medication at the pet store. I also did a thorough cleaning of his tank, as reccomended by the betta care site (it was pretty icky).

I learned that they liked warmer water, so I bought a small heater and a thermometer to monitor the temp. Mimo seemed to be active and getting better when I left this morning, but I returned home and found him with a swollen belly. The temperature is at 78 degrees and the tank has a carbon filter (use is suspended while treating per instructions).

I feel like all I have tried to do was to improve the environment, but possibly ended up killing him. Why? It seems a lot of people have these fish for years in dirty, small bowls.

Answer 1

Bonsylar gave you some good info, but didn't address all the possibilities of the cause of the swollen abdomen. Since you've been using medication, your betta might be experiencing dropsy - this causes the scales to stick out so your fish looks like a pinecone. Dropsy is more a symptom than disease, and it can have several causes, including medications.

If your betta appears to have healed from the body fungus (I suspect this is what your betta had as a result of cooler water temperature, rather than Columnaris, which looks similar, but is bacterial), I would do a water change to remove/decrease any medications in his tank. If this doesn't seem to have an effect in a few days, treat for an internal infection with a broad-spectrum antibiotic.

Just to confirm the diagnosis, this is how Columnaris appears: http://www.fishjunkies.com/Diseases/columnaris.php (and I would include nitrofurazone in the medications to treat this) versus body fungus: http://www.fishjunkies.com/Diseases/fungus.php

Answer 2

Bettas like it warm.
Between 80-90 degrees (Fahrenheit) is best.
By comparison:
Tropical fish like it around 75 degrees
Goldfish between 60-70

Proper diet is key.
They are carnivores and need meat based food. Fish flakes just don't do it for them. Hikari "Betta bites" is a good food. So are freeze dried blood worms.

It's possible for the filter to be too strong for them.
Did it "blow" him around the tank?
That stresses him out and bashes him against tank walls and scrapes him over rocks. He gets no rest and dies of exhaustion and internal injuries.

Bettas need at least 5 gallons of water to be healthiest. Granted, people have them in tiny dirty tanks, but you might have gotten weaker, more sensitive fish just by chance.

This is a great site for general care. Check out the gallery too. Absolutely amazing fish.
www.bettysplendens.com

Answer 3

It is true, people seem to keep them in small bowls, but their water is usually pretty clean.
Sounds to me like
#1- people need to keep their fingers, hands, objects out of his water... every thing put in his water can be a source of contamination.
#2- He needs to have his water cleaned every couple of days, a 20% water change, taken from the BOTTOM of his tank where the gunk settles
#3- Feed him sparingly, at least until this problem clears up and slowly increase from there.

Answer 4

betta fishes never last to long cause l had one and lt died