Stuck Fish

Question
My roommate has a beta fish that got himself stuck halfway through a hole is a ceramic tank decoration.   He doesn't seem to be able to get himself out.  What should we do to help?

Answer
Hi Maggie;

I hope he has worked his way out by now, but if he hasn't you will have to pull it up out of the water every few minutes to breathe until he can get out. Bettas drown if they can't take breaths of air from the top. Now to get him loose;

Squirt a good quality water conditioner all over him. It has to be a kind that helps his "slime coat". It will slick him up and he should just slip out of the decoration. If he still seems stuck, you may have to let him slowly get out on his own, BUT you have to lower the water level so he can take breaths of air when he wants to. Just low enough that he can bend up and get his nose out is fine. I hope it works okay. Good luck....

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins