Injured Betta Fish question...

[Jessika]

Depend are where you are...I am on well so no issues...but when I lived in town I let the water set for 3 days and the chlorine levels will go down to nothing naturally. I quit using any conditioners in the water because (well...this is me only speaking of) had issues with to much slime coat...it can hurt them too. Start right is ok (turn the water blue if I remember correctly) but I always used less than it called for. "Prime" I believe it is called is the only one I would use towards the end of my breeding days...it was great but smelled like sulfur...lol A good test kit is always awesome to have on hand for when you are in doubt...and pH and ammonia levels are great to track too if you want to get that precise.

 

[patandchickens]

Chickerdoodle, if this was a college-run event, sounds like it may be time to write some calm but strongly-worded letters to all relevant positions of the college and to the college newspaper.

Good luck with the bettas, and good for you for trying to help them,

Pat

 

[skand]

Quote:
When we had our two betas, male & female, mine wouldn't eat the tubifex worms. The only time they would eat them was when we had them in an aqaurium with other fish. If you do do that, make sure they are not in a tank with fin-nippers : barbs, goldfish, guppies,tetras.

 

[Mahonri]

Glad your beta is doing fine.

If he dies, I'll bet you can find some chickens to feed him to.

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

Thanks everyone!

He's still doing very well. Some of the smaller holes in his tail and pectoral fin have actually closed up and are starting to heal and the torn pieces of his dorsal fin are starting to look much better.

My room mate will be bringing back her larger tank for him after this week, so he'll have to make do with the little bowl for now. But he will be a very happy fish once he gets a new home!

I do have stress coat, but I didn't want to overload his small space with too many chemicals. I used this stuff that takes chlorine and other harmful substances out of the water. At home I don't have to use it, but here at school I don't know what is in the water. I think the melafix also helps with the slime coating.

I have to change his water soon so I can add some more medication. I'm just so happy that he is so very active now! He's been eating 3 - 4 pellets of betta food a day, and he swims all around the bowl. It seems like he is an older fish, but he should still have some year ahead of him.

 

[Year of the Rooster]

Quote:
While I do agree with what you are saying, there is nothing wrong with letting them eat only the roots. You are forgetting what is living IN and ON the roots rather than the roots themselves. The live and dead/rotting roots can harbor many microorganisms that the beta can eat, each with a good amount of protein.

"These microorganisms are called Nitrosomonas. They are the tiniest of organisms. Oftentimes, fish can be seen picking at the roots of plants, rocks, and various objects in the aquarium. They are devouring plants and animals that are usually seen through a microscope.
Thankfully, betta vases have gone the way of the pet rock, but when they were the rage many of the fish housed in them survived solely on microorganisms. Evidence of microorganisms can be readily observed by simply floating a well-seasoned biowheel in an aquarium. Fish that feed on them are enjoying a fresh micromeal."

-Freshwater and Marine Aquarium Magazine (FAMA), September 2007, Volume 30 Number 9.

 

[crazychicken]

i take it they were male betas because females can be together with out any trouble the just establish a pecking order so to speak.the females have one little tiny fight then they decide who is top fish and the others fall in. so these would be big fancy males thank you for saving them i am glad someone had some sense. it will be fine in something tiny for a little while especially for recovery reasons.

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

I do plan on speaking to someone about using fish as prizes and center pieces here at the school. They do it quite often, and usually the fish end up being resued by ONE person or else they are thrown out. That is just despicable. TWICE I've ended up with fish that I didn't need because I couldn't bear to see them killed or going to someone who will neglect to give them the care they need. Luckily, I've also been able to find all of these fish good homes...but how many times can one person do that? And I know I'm not the only person taking pity on these poor creatures.

I will probably start by speaking to a friend of mine who works in Student Services. She might be able to direct me to who I need to speak with. I'm not even completely against having fish as centerpieces, but the group running the program MUST make sure that the fish are all taken or that they have alternative homes lined up. It is not right to just throw away life, even if it is "just" a fish. I would also like to see care cards tied to the centerpieces, or even underneath. This would be a start, but it would be even better if fish were eliminated from these programs all together.

 

[Jessika]

Quote:
While I do agree with what you are saying, there is nothing wrong with letting them eat only the roots. You are forgetting what is living IN and ON the roots rather than the roots themselves. The live and dead/rotting roots can harbor many microorganisms that the beta can eat, each with a good amount of protein.

"These microorganisms are called Nitrosomonas. They are the tiniest of organisms. Oftentimes, fish can be seen picking at the roots of plants, rocks, and various objects in the aquarium. They are devouring plants and animals that are usually seen through a microscope.
Thankfully, betta vases have gone the way of the pet rock, but when they were the rage many of the fish housed in them survived solely on microorganisms. Evidence of microorganisms can be readily observed by simply floating a well-seasoned biowheel in an aquarium. Fish that feed on them are enjoying a fresh micromeal."

-Freshwater and Marine Aquarium Magazine (FAMA), September 2007, Volume 30 Number 9.

Heck...I was out of dog food today so my dogs got "puppy chow". I myself could live off of 3 musketeers and mountain dew but it is not a good idea if I want to stay as healthy as possible....but to each their own. Now that is a human ...not a fish. But suddenly I have a craving for chocolate...

When they are small (betas) some feed them micro worms...very small...but as they get bigger more substance is good. Brine shrimp, grindel worms, etc.

No hard feelings...just discussing it. I hate typing things because you lose the personality part of it....I am not arguing...just discussing it

I am so glad you brought up this point!

 

[holliewould]

His fins will grow back. But let me tell you as a beta kepper/rescuer, Betas shouldn't have big ole fish bowels. They like shallow little swim holes. Apparently over in China they live in little puddles in the rice fields and just jump from puddle to puddle from time to time. My first beta was in a centerpiece too. Poor things. I wanted to add, betas love mosquito larvae. It's wild to watch.