i was on my bed and i kept hearing this sound of a plastic bag being touched.
i was ignoring it until for about 5 minutes more or less, until i decide to get up and check it out. i move one plastic bag and on the floor, and there lies my betta fish, breathing hard, twitching here and there! at first i didn't understand what i was seeing, trying to figure out what it was, it was dark, and could've been a weird gecko. but i see that it's my betta fish and it's pretty dry, and it's beautiful once flowing tail is clumped together and stuck to the wooden floor. i peel it off after a few attempts because it kept wiggling in between my fingers, and drop it back in it's bowl. it sinks downwards, and pushes upwards again. sinks downwards, and pushes up again. i can see one of my hairs stuck to it's body. it's weak, damaged, and covered in the outside of it's bowl's filth!
right now it's "lying" on the bottom of it's bowl.
can someone explain to me what happened?
and will betta live?
will he be okay?!
i was ignoring it until for about 5 minutes more or less, until i decide to get up and check it out. i move one plastic bag and on the floor, and there lies my betta fish, breathing hard, twitching here and there! at first i didn't understand what i was seeing, trying to figure out what it was, it was dark, and could've been a weird gecko. but i see that it's my betta fish and it's pretty dry, and it's beautiful once flowing tail is clumped together and stuck to the wooden floor. i peel it off after a few attempts because it kept wiggling in between my fingers, and drop it back in it's bowl. it sinks downwards, and pushes upwards again. sinks downwards, and pushes up again. i can see one of my hairs stuck to it's body. it's weak, damaged, and covered in the outside of it's bowl's filth!
right now it's "lying" on the bottom of it's bowl.
can someone explain to me what happened?
and will betta live?
will he be okay?!
Any fish that is happy in a tank has no reason to commit suicide & jump, unless he's trying to catch an insect which happened to rest on the edge of the tank (really a million to one coincidence). The 2 most probable reasons are poor water quality & too warm water. You have to keep up regular water changes and the smaller the tank the more frequently the water change, so really just get a decent size standard tank (good for both the betta & yourself). As for the temp, never put any tank where there's direct sunlight. The warmer the water the less oxygen it holds, the more uncomfortable for the fish and the faster the water quality deteriorates (fish poop breaks down faster).
A standard tank would have a lid or hood to prevent jumping. For now you can use some kind of mesh or grill over the top. Note there must be air between the top & the water surface. Many bettas are so accustomed to breathing atmospheric air that they can drown & die without access to atmospheric air. So if your betta continues to remain at the bottom, that's not a good thing. You can try to increase the oxygen content by doing a water change & using a air-stone or bubbler driven by an air pump.
A standard tank would have a lid or hood to prevent jumping. For now you can use some kind of mesh or grill over the top. Note there must be air between the top & the water surface. Many bettas are so accustomed to breathing atmospheric air that they can drown & die without access to atmospheric air. So if your betta continues to remain at the bottom, that's not a good thing. You can try to increase the oxygen content by doing a water change & using a air-stone or bubbler driven by an air pump.
ok FIRST OF ALL dont listen to danielle elizabeth or any one else who tells you to get a 2.5 Gallon tank they come from china and they live in mud puddles and when a puddle drys up they flop there way to find another puddle. so a small bowl will be good some blue rock at the bottom and some toys to hide in and the fish should be fine
im a vet in houston texas trust me
The betta fish is probably likely to die. I probably wouldn't even bother with aquarium salt at this point, but give it a shot if you really like him!
also. Next time, get a 2.5 gallon aquarium, they are perfect for Betta fish. Get a heater and filter. And you are set to go, and some upsides are:
1) you got a healtier fish
2) he is more active! WOOT!
3) He can't jump out because of the lid! another WOOT! :D
also. Next time, get a 2.5 gallon aquarium, they are perfect for Betta fish. Get a heater and filter. And you are set to go, and some upsides are:
1) you got a healtier fish
2) he is more active! WOOT!
3) He can't jump out because of the lid! another WOOT! :D
It doesn't sound good I'm afraid. Bettas are known to do this-that's why you're supposed to keep a top on their bowls.
This is a situation where the outcome can go either way. It may live for a few days or it may regain it's strength and live out it's life, but this won't happen in a bowl. Elizabeth K is right, a Betta needs the absolute minimum of a 2.5 gallon (preferably 5 gallons) tank with a soft filter and heater.
While waiting on your tank, filter and heater you should do some partial water changes (10%) with dechlorinated and conditioned water.
Please check out the links.
EDIT: Naomi B, I suggest you stop giving out false information when you say you are a vet when in fact your latest question on this site specifically states "i wanna be a vet". That means that you 'want' to be a veterinarian and you are indeed NOT A VETERINARIAN. My little investigation really didn't need to prove to me or any other mature individual on this site that you are a mere child. Thank you very much. :-)
While waiting on your tank, filter and heater you should do some partial water changes (10%) with dechlorinated and conditioned water.
Please check out the links.
EDIT: Naomi B, I suggest you stop giving out false information when you say you are a vet when in fact your latest question on this site specifically states "i wanna be a vet". That means that you 'want' to be a veterinarian and you are indeed NOT A VETERINARIAN. My little investigation really didn't need to prove to me or any other mature individual on this site that you are a mere child. Thank you very much. :-)
http://www.fishlore.com/Profiles-Betta.h...
http://fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm
http://fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm
It sounds like he doesn't like his bowl and that happens a lot when they are unhappy. If you can get a tank at least 2.5 gallons with a heater and filter though a 5 gallon would be the best.
Its hard to say if he will live. Sometimes they do and sometimes they don't one of mine jumped out of his bowl (when i didn't know they needed something larger) and was laying on the ground for at least 20 minutes and he made it just fine. but its hard to tell what will happen just keep an eye on him
Its hard to say if he will live. Sometimes they do and sometimes they don't one of mine jumped out of his bowl (when i didn't know they needed something larger) and was laying on the ground for at least 20 minutes and he made it just fine. but its hard to tell what will happen just keep an eye on him
This would not have happened if you had a proper aquarium for your fish.
As the next opportunity please buy your Betta these things:
No less and preferable more than a 2.5 gallon aquarium, a gentle filter, and an aquarium heater. The advantages of this set up, aside from having a healthy fish, is that you would have an aquarium hood.
Time will tell if your Betta will be alright. Add some aquarium salt if you have any. While you are buying the new habitat you may want to invest in some Bettafix, in case he gets fin rot.
~EDIT~ Fish can survive in these conditions for years, but I'd rather have an animal in my care thrive, wouldn't you? The bowl should not be next to the window. You should have a thermometer in the water to monitor the temperature. He could have also jumped in an attempt to escape the poor water quality.
~Naomi~ Betta's are native to Thailand where they live in PADDIES not puddles. While these paddies may be shallow, they make up for their lack of depth in span.
As the next opportunity please buy your Betta these things:
No less and preferable more than a 2.5 gallon aquarium, a gentle filter, and an aquarium heater. The advantages of this set up, aside from having a healthy fish, is that you would have an aquarium hood.
Time will tell if your Betta will be alright. Add some aquarium salt if you have any. While you are buying the new habitat you may want to invest in some Bettafix, in case he gets fin rot.
~EDIT~ Fish can survive in these conditions for years, but I'd rather have an animal in my care thrive, wouldn't you? The bowl should not be next to the window. You should have a thermometer in the water to monitor the temperature. He could have also jumped in an attempt to escape the poor water quality.
~Naomi~ Betta's are native to Thailand where they live in PADDIES not puddles. While these paddies may be shallow, they make up for their lack of depth in span.