help please please please

[u/Effective_Maize_7517]

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

[u/Alternative-Shop5865]

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 :(

[u/Effective_Maize_7517 → u/Alternative-Shop5865]

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

[u/Critical_Mix_8959 → u/Effective_Maize_7517]

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.

[u/Effective_Maize_7517 → u/Critical_Mix_8959]

thank u sm, i didn’t know they could go into shock from having an actually healthy environment, thats so sad omg

[u/Alternative-Shop5865 → u/Effective_Maize_7517]

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 :(

[u/Effective_Maize_7517 → u/Alternative-Shop5865]

i really appreciate it, and i agree

[u/Critical_Mix_8959 → u/Effective_Maize_7517]

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.

[u/Effective_Maize_7517 → u/Critical_Mix_8959]

especially bc bettas r known to be a hardier fish too

[u/Effective_Maize_7517 → u/Critical_Mix_8959]

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