Betta Fish Care

Question
QUESTION: Hi Chris,

I should start by saying I'm completely fish stupid.  My 5 yr old got a goldfish starter aquarium (5 gal?) as a gift.  She chose a Betta fish instead as per the advice from the staff at Petsmart and we set it up at the beginning of the week. It came with a Hagan Elite Mini Filter.  Following the instructions carefully, we rinsed the gravel, ornament, and filter sponge. Then we filled it with Reverse Osmosis water rather than tap water (I can guarantee it's chlorine free).  We let it sit for about 3 days, then, yesterday, we went and bought a fish.  He didn't even make it overnight.  I changed the tank water and this time added a dose of Nutrafin Cycle (also came with the kit). We went back and exchanged the fish today (the new one looks much healthier anyway) and repeated the process.  Now the new one looks like he may be losing a little bit of colour near the gills.  Also, while more active than the first one, he still hangs out near the bottom of the tank, very still.  It looks like he's eaten one of the 2 Betabits we dropped in the tank.  My question(s) I guess, would be:  Is there something I'm doing or doing wrong?! Should I be concerned? Is he just stressed out and adjusting? or in distress of some kind?  I don't want to keep killing the fish, nor do I want to keep crushing my daughter!  Please Help!  Thank you so much!!  

Leanne

ANSWER: Hi Leanne;

A betta is the only good choice for a tank that small so they did give you good advice. Sometimes bettas are often not treated very kindly at the store or the wholesaler before you get them. Their water is not very clean usually and they are often kept too cold. Your second one may be in shock or just may be getting used to his new home. Let's look at a few other possibilities too;

The RO water may be shocking them. Use tap water and add a water conditioner. RO water does not have the needed minerals and other trace compounds that fish need. When aquarists use RO water in their tanks for certain types of fish they are adding back the minerals in the form of a powder in controlled doses. Distilled water is basically the same so don't use it either. Just use tap water and the water conditioner will make is instantly safe for your fish.

Did you acclimate the fish before adding them to the new tank? You should let the transport container float in the tank for ten minutes or so before releasing him. This will slowly allow his temperature to become the same as the tank and avoid temperature shock. Don't add the nasty transport water to his tank. Net him from the container or bag and gently release him into his new tank. Also be sure he can get air bubbles from the surface while being transported and while acclimating. Bettas can drown or die from oxygen deprivation later if not allowed to get to the surface for more than a few minutes.

Is the tank water temperature suitable for him? Bettas are tropical fish and need their water to be somewhere in a range of 76f to 82f. If it's too cool he will be lethargic. Avoid fluctuations as much as possible. Keep his tank in a warm spot if it doesn't have a heater.

Did you use anything but plain water to clean the new tank, gravel and decorations? Soaps, cleaners and disinfectants are very toxic to fish, even in trace amounts.

Remove uneaten food immediately so it doesn't foul the water. It's okay if he doesn't eat much or even at all for several days, even up to a week or more. Fish have different digestive systems than people do and most don't need to eat every day. He is still getting used to his new home so he may not feel comfy enough to eat yet. The food you were sold may not even be what he is used to eating either. Sometimes stores will sell one kind of food to you for home use, and feed their store fish something different only because they feed what's available in bulk quantities. It's too expensive for them to use the little tiny packages for all the fish they keep and sell. Give him a few days to get used to it.

Here are some good betta sites to help you know more about them;

http://www.siamsbestbettas.com/care.html

http://www.bettatalk.com/betta_care.htm

http://joshday.com/bettafaq.htm

http://www.fishpondinfo.com/betta.htm

Hopefully something I've mentioned will help keep your little guy in good shape. Let me know how it's going...

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Chris,

I do have a follow up Q, but this is an extra thank you as well!  You're the first to give me a clear, complete, straight answer!  Unfortunately, Beta2 died as well, but I now think it's a combination of the water type and temperature (as I've followed every instruction I've been given to the letter, lol)  I didn't use any cleaners, and floated the baggie in the tank for 20 mins before scooping him out and getting him into the tank.  I've just purchased a little strip thermometer and filled the tank with regular water in order to monitor the temperature.  I'm also armed with BETA FISH water conditioner for tap water - with some extra Beta goodness (?), and depending on final tank temp, I'm planning on picking up a tank heater (the one for crabs etc that sticks under the tank as it's acrylic and I'm sure the fish will also die if the tank springs a leak and he's left with no water at all, lol)  Hopefully we'll have Beta3 in the tank first thing next week - happy and healthy!   

I've heard that the filter may also be an issue.  It's already on the lowest setting, but I've tucked it a bit further in, and moved the ornament/plant in front. It's not much but it seems to be disrupting the flow a bit.  Do you think that might be enough? or should I look into a different filter too? Thank you again, Chris!  I'm finding troubleshooting complicated as I know so little about aquariums, lol.  I really do appreciate your time, effort, and advice! :)  

Leanne

Answer
Hi Leanne;

Sounds like a great plan you've got there! I'm so glad I could help.

Keep the temperature up and supplement the heat if needed, just like you planned. Terrarium heaters work great for tanks like yours as long as they don't overheat. Just don't actually stick it on the bottom yet in case it gets too hot and overheats the water. Just laying it on a safe surface and elevating the tank over it might be all he needs. It depends on the room temperature. I've put tanks on top of old books, bricks, thin boards, etc. Just put them under each end and slip the terrarium heater pad under it. Lower or raise, depending on how the temperature looks. If it works for it to be close, go ahead and stick it on.

I'm so glad I could help. Hopefully "Betta 3" will fare well in his new home. The filter should be fine, your betta will get used to it and build up his muscles. Add another small plant if it seems to scoot him around too much.

You're on the right track! Keep up the good work!...

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins