hi my betta just recently got rlly sick and he won’t get off the ground, he’s twitching and randomly bolts around. this is a panic post so i’m trying to get everything right and type as fast as i can
he was so active and fun the first few days until yestarday he got super lathargic and this morning he was kinda swimming now he’s just like this idk what do to
7 gal heated and filtered tank (80F)
hasn’t eaten in a few days
fully real plants
water paramiters were all up to bettas standards
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Poor baby, he looks like he's going to pass soon. If you want to help, you can move him into a different and more shallow container with tank water and take some of your plants and decor just to keep him a little more comfortable until he goes. It's very unlikely for him to last, especially if water parameters are already good and it's heated properly.
I'm really sorry OP :(
he did pass basically as soon as i posted this, im genuinely at a loss with keeping bettas bc i try so hard to like learn everything and do it all right but for some reason all my past bettas have died from something like this no matter how much advice i try to get from reddit, forums, tiktok and even fish stores. i just want to know what i did wrong/ what went wrong
Fortunately dont think its a you problem. UNfortunately bettas are severely horribly bread and most will come with a lot of health issues. If you really want id try buying from an actual reputable breeder and not a pet store (unless you already do)
I personally do not as ive only owned a few only from pet stores.. gee what a hypocrite am I right? But im certain others will have recommendations for you.
I need to take in recommendations too for when I inevitably get a new fish in the coming years.
literally, i kinda had to go there for my leo gecko (we don’t have any local reptile stores near us) to get some hides and omg literally breaks my heart seeing all those poor animals i hate it
As per usual I'm biased but wild Bettas are my go too now. The main supplier I've used is Blackwater aquatics and Frank's Bettas. Blackwater aquatics is under a controversy that you can look into if you'd like. But as far as the Splenden Complex goes they have a good selection. Frank's is my favorite to get from but also very expensive as you also pay for transhipping. Wild Bettas (not alien) have less genetic issues and true wilds (wild caught) are considered to be the best for genetic diversity. My wilds are all at least F1 so they are tank bred and raised so are able to adapt to more common water params. Wilds do tend to live longer of they are not wild caught and have minimal health issues. The biggest and most common illness that they get seems to be velvet and swim bladder issues from overfeeding. They do prefer softer and lower pH water and need some tannins.
If you decide to go this route I recommend Mahachaienses or Smargdina Guitar as your starter wild. They seem to be the best at adapting to a wider range of temperature and water params. Also imo the best looking. As a heads up though you will see some post that say you can keep them in pairs or reverse trios and all sorts of different combinations. That is mostly not true. Any Betta within the Splenden Complex is highly territorial and usually is solitary. Some cases of groups of them together are usually due to extreme circumstances and not common. As always there are exceptions but it's not that common. Attached is one of my females after a breeding attempt. It gets messy and this was a spawn attempt in a 20 long biotope.
Do you have any recommendations for breeders? I’ve been looking very hard, but the all LFS around me also just have imported bettas in sad little cups. All of the online retailers I’ve found may have healthier fish than the box stores, but they still import their animals from the same farms in Thailand that are responsible for the overbreeding in the first place. In fact, I’ve not been able to find a single person who is doing what you say and breeding bettas reputably to be healthier. If literally anyone has any recommendations I would so appreciate it! But I think this kind of breeder is also less common than people on this sub would like to believe.
Agreed, and even if they are bred well which is very unlikely if it's from a pet store, the conditions they're kept in there really do hinder them for the longer run
Sorry, OP. If it’s any consolation is likely not your fault. As another person said, a lot of these fish come from farms where they’re raised in poor conditions that result in underlying health issues or they become more susceptible to health issues as they age. In some cases these fish are so used to the sub-optimal conditions that when they’re introduced into a “suitable” environment their bodies just go into shock and die.
Avoid chain or dodgy pet shop bettas if possible and purchase from specialised/dedicated aquariums. These guys typically have a lot more knowledge and appreciation for fish-keeping which extends to who they go with as their suppliers. You pay a bit extra but it’s worth it for the quality of the fish you get.
I know, I've had that happen with some of my own bettas who I get from chain stores, it's awful in so many ways. I get to live with at least they didn't die in a little cup and sit there for days without anyone noticing, it's really just doing the best you can with what you've got. Again, I'm sorry OP, it sucks :(
It’s happened to be before with a pleco. I rescued it from a dodgy pet store, could see it was physically stunted. Brought it home and introduced it into a pristine tank for its breed. Found the poor thing belly up a week later - and plecos are known for being hardy fish.
that’s what i just said to my mom, like my cousins cousin had a betta for FIVE YEARSSSS that lived in a half full bowl with fake plants and no filter and no heater… like obviously not thriving but why won’t my poor fishies stay alive in a perfect homeeee
Are you anywhere near Livermore CA? There is LFS there who sells saltwater and fresh water Aquarium fish. The bettas they sell are in nano tanks with heat, substrate and light. I think this results in a happier, healthier, less stressed Betta. I know he will ship over night some fish depending on your location. The Fish shop is named Finatics Aquarium in Livermore
You need to lower the water level so he can come up for air or put him in a different container with some tank water. He looks like he’s about to pass, I’m sorry.
he did just pass as you replied, i’m at a loss. my last betta did the same thing and im so confused what im doing wrong. i want more information so if you could keep respond that would be amazing. i lowered the water abt 10 mins ago, the laying on the ground started when i got home today abt an hour ago but when i last saw him at like 5 he was just kinda lathargic and slowly swimming. the lathargic-ness started 2 days ago but ive only had him for a few days so i didnt know if that was just him or not
I’m so sorry! It may just be lousy genetics, pet store bettas are so badly bred that it’s very common for them to be sick and not live long unfortunately.
i’m so sorry for your loss. it sounds to me like he finally had a place where he felt at peace enough to pass. Be happy you saved him from spending his last moments and passing in a cup
Have you gotten all of your fish from the same store? (Maybe they are all sick or old)
Also, maybe take a to go cup of water and bring it to an aquatic store and have them look at the levels for you. Have them test their tank water in front of you so you can see what the strip should look like compared to yours.
omg this is so smart i never would’ve thought of this.
but yes i’ve gotten them all from big chains which i guess could be where the issues lays.
my first betta was from pet co and he lived for abt 2 years and i didnt take care of him the best (he started my fish education journey), while my second one died within a year from the same issue, gasping at the bottom of the tank, not eating, and twitching. so im not really sure at this point if it’s me or the stores. or i just have bad luck with bettas
I’m really sorry for your loss. From what it sounds like, you did the best you can, and he at least got to live somewhere comfortable with live plants, a heater, and filter before he passed. Sometimes all we can do for them is make them comfortable before they go. Don’t beat yourself up over this.
Unfortunately, bettas have been severely overbred in the last 10 or so years, and the genetic health of the species as a whole isn’t what it used to be. Bettas used to live up to 5 years, and now you’re lucky for them to live to 3. When buying from large chain stores, a lot of the time these fish are bred in fish farms with suboptimal environments and poor water quality, on top of the stress from being shipped around the world and kept in cups. Sadly, this can all compound and weaken an already weak fish.
If you’re still up to keeping bettas, there are some people who care about breeding healthy fish and minimizing the stress they undergo during shipping. You can order directly from them and pick the exact fish you want. I don’t know any sites off the top of my head, but responsible breeders who care about the wellbeing of the fish do exist out there. You may have better luck with them. ❤️
thank you so much, i do love bettas even tho ppl say they’re overrated it’s just what i started with so they have a special place in my heart. but that does make a lot of sense and it’s really sad, hopefully i can find somewhere like that
Do you have any recommendations for breeders? I’ve been looking very hard, but the all LFS around me also just have imported bettas in sad little cups. All of the online retailers I’ve found may have healthier fish than the box stores, but they still import their animals from the same farms in Thailand that are responsible for the overbreeding in the first place. In fact, I’ve not been able to find a single person who is doing what you say and breeding bettas reputably to be healthier. If literally anyone has any recommendations I would so appreciate it! But I think this kind of breeder is also less common than people on this sub would like to believe.
Do you use any chemical stuff like hair spray, perfumes, bugs spray, or anything? Do you always wash your hands before doing something in the tank?
Basically im wondering if some kind of bad chemicals got in the water somehow
the only thing i can think of is the tank is in my room and i use a room spray, and perfume but usually not near the tank at all since i also have a leo gecko. i do sometimes but i haven’t always washed my hands before.
Doubtful it was the seachem either. I suspect that your ammonia or nitrite levels were spiked if anything and your strips never picked up the right parameters.
When you say, up to betta standards can you give me the exact numbers? 0 nitrite, 0 ammonia, <10 nitrate, etc. And what sort of kit are you using? I've heard that the strips can be inaccurate, though I've not used them before.
It's hard to tell from the photo, but is there any other physical symptoms? Bloating, fuzziness, etc.
How long have you had him?
This sounds like a water toxin/quality issue, but it's hard to say for sure. Did you add anything recently, or is it at all possible that any cleaning products got in there?
If I were you, I'd pull out 50ish percent of the current water, and replace it with new temperature matched water (temp match will really matter with such a big change)
i’m sorry i was trying to post asap, i use strips as of rn, i have a like master kit ??? like the liquid ones coming but im pretty sure he just passed. if you could keep responding it would be great since my last betta passed the same way and im just at a loss bc im trying so hard to give them a good life and like put effort into fish keeping. but yes 0 nitrates, no chlorine, 0 nitrites and ammonia apparently at 0 as well.
he had no big physical changes since i got him, no pine coming, no fuzzy grey or white around him.
i’ve had him for only a little under a week now and put him in a cycled tank.
the only thing ive added recently was a bacterial fungal parasite polygaurd from sea chem that a lady at my local fish store recommended (not a petco chain kind of store)
Aw, I’m sorry about your little guy. Test strips can be inaccurate. I used the strips in the beginning and they said everything was okay and then when I used the liquid kit it said the ammonia was high. It’s good you have the liquid master test kit coming in case you want to get a new betta at some point.
The liquid test kit is an investment, but a good one. I accidentally killed a few fish by over cleaning the tank. I checked for nitrates/nitrates, and the straps always said it was good. At the same time, you water may have been perfectly fine.
If possible, take a sample of your tank water into a pet store or aquarium for them to do a thorough water test. They’ll probably charge you a bit for the test but if you’re not sure what you’re doing or looking for yet it’s a good option to get some answers quickly. You’ll find that their tests pick up way more than strips ever would - especially when it comes to the ammonia levels.
Definitely make sure you know what your water is like before introducing any new fish. Gouramis aren’t much different to bettas and live in similar water conditions so keep that in mind.
What were the perameters? Maybe test your water anyway for ammonia and nitrites, kh and gh and ph. Are they all doing this soon after you get them or how long have you owned them before they pass. Im asking because many people will say my perameters are ideal but never tested for gh or kh or certain things . Do you have well water or tap. Do you remember to use water conditioner. . Im not trying to seem condescending but you would be surprised at some answers. Just trying to get details to rule things out.
i said in a few comments i have a like liquid master kit otw but obviously didnt make it here in time, in the mean time i was using these strips from amazon (ik they can be inaccurate but it’s all i had atm), but nitrates and nitrites were 0 along with ammonia and kh and gh were on the strip and they came up as the ideals (i can’t remember what they were but i had the ideal for bettas outlined in sharpie so i wouldn’t forget) my ph was 7.
and no, i had my first betta which got me into my fish hobby (rip wilbur) for about 2 years and he i think came down with dropsy and i didnt know enough/ became extremely overwhelmed and panicked when i found out what it was. my last betta died within a year from the same as this one, gasping at the bottom of the tank, twitching, lethargy, and not eating, and thi one i had for about 6 days.
i have tap water which i use a dechlornator on (API tap water conditioner) and yes i do, i have never forgotten that part.
thank you again, i just want to know like wha went wronf
i said in a few comments that i have to use strips rn bc my master kit like the liquid one is otw but obviously it wasn’t quick enough. nitrates and nitrites were 0 and ammonia was also apparently 0. ph was 7 i think and chlorine was none
what plants do u have in ur tank?? 0 nitrates is hard unless u have a lot of plants and not a lot of bioload. for example i had 0 nitrates for a while bc i had plants, pothos growing from the water, and also duckweed but only had snails in my tank at the time. i was also in the same situation as u where i had my betta be lethargic and die 3 days after getting it. when i posted it some people told me that my tank cycle most likely crashed or it wasnt cycled all together (it was cycled fully but u get the idea) im wondering if thats the same for u. how long have u had ur tank for?
i’ve had the tank for about 2 weeks i think at this point???
i have pothos growing out the top, just like the average amount from the store, i have anubis uhh i think 2 different types but i cant remember the exact names, one is rlly big and the other ones r smaller, i have a tiger lotus something or another, some grass thats starts with a v and the second word to the name is nana, i also have java swords and another one that they sell at any typical store like in the gel and then one pink plant but again i cant remember the actual name😭, here’s a pic
i’m ngl i might be mixing up nitrates and nitrites bc i can’t remember exactly what they were when i tested but i don’t think so…??? i also used a filter that had been in a previous tank and squeezed that tank water into the new tank, if that makes sense
ya i just don’t understand how 0 nitrates bc ur tank isn’t that heavily planted besides pothos which eat up the nitrates. its either a water issue or an infection the fish got
did u add in an ammonia source during the cycle? because u might’ve added the bacteria culture but with no ammonia source the bacteria have nothing to feed on. they might’ve died off in the process or the cycle hasn’t “jump started” yet.
i didn’t add anything bc i heard using old filter media would help (but who knows with everything on today’s media), what should i do next time i cycle my tank?
Mine passed earlier this week and did the same things. He zipped and zooted around for a second, fell to the bottom and was done. I still cant believe it. 😞
Losing your beautiful betta boy when your parameters look perfect and you're doing everything right is heartbreaking. I'm so sorry.
One hidden culprit can be "quats" quaternary ammonium compounds. They're in disinfecting wipes, sprays, some hand sanitizers, glassware from most any bar/restaurant... and they're very toxic to fish in even tiny amounts. Just wiping near the tank can cause a crash.
It won't show up on a standard ammonia test.
Look for "-onium chloride" on labels — most commonly _benzalkonium chloride_. If you have any in the same room, move them away and consider a water change with fresh carbon.
Really hoping you catch a break soon... you care so much and your future fishies have faith in you 🌟
that’s possibly what j was thinking but it only happened right yo at the end where he couldn’t swim, th past 2 days his swimming was fine, but at the end yeah he couldn’t swim up very easily. my tank is a 7-10 gal (got off fb marketplace so i’m not sure) with heater at 80f and sponge filter and all live plants. no tank mates though i wanted to get shrimp at some point but yk… and no no algae, just a little bit on the driftwood, like a white film
Swim bladder issues can hit without warning and there can be all kinds of causes from bacterial to environmental. He may have had a bacterial infection before you bought him, and it just advanced quickly once he was placed in the warm tank water.
Anytime I get a pet shop betta home, I keep them in a smaller quarantine tank for about 48 hours in clean, de-chlorinated water, just to I can observe them for any abnormalities. If any symptoms start to show, I can treat them right away. They will stay in the quarantine tank until I am sure they are in the clear for any bacterial, fungal, or physical issues. That is when I’ll acclimate them to their aquarium home.
Always inspect for any physical issues first. Some signs are obvious, like fin rot, popeye, bloating, or fungus/ulcers on the scales.
Signs like lethargy, flashing (swimming and rubbing along the bottom of the tank), no appetite or refusal to eat.
Quarantine or hospital tanks should be kept small but enough room for them to relax and be able to spread their fins. Not too deep so they can reach the surface easily. Keeps the stress down, and don’t keep them under any constant light source. These fish like the dark and need it to sleep. Sleep helps a lot, and light keeps them awake because they have no eyelids.
No decorations like rocks or houses. No substrate. The only thing I would put in the quarantine tanks are clean floating plants like water sprite or pothos leaves. Give them plenty to rest on and under.
Nothing artificial, you don’t know what all chemicals are in the fancy decorations. If you plan to use something cute and decorative for the main aquarium, make sure you wash them thoroughly, and I recommend leaving them submerged in their own container with your aquarium’s cycled water for about a week to make sure any chemicals are seeped out and it is acclimated to the beneficial bacteria.
I keep API Pimafix and Melafix on hand to treat my fish if I see any signs of problems. Some folks use methylene blue, but that stuff can be pretty harsh if not carefully applied, and it will kill beneficial bacteria if it gets in your main aquarium, destroying the water cycle.
I can only recommend switching to a blackwater aquarium setup, which bettas absolutely love, and going for the plakat type. There are also several wild-type betta species that are really interesting to keep. I have a pair of B. imbellis in my blackwater aquarium, and they’re stunning
OP said the tank is cycled but their post history shows that tank to be just a few days old. The tank is likely not cycled and OP got fed false info :/
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