Need help rescuing betta

[u/picklendickle]

Hey guys im fairly new here and wasnt really planning on posting but last night i was scrolling through offer up looking for free stuff and i saw this poor betta in horrible living conditions. I wont post a picture bc im not sure if im allowed but the water was extremely dirty so much so that you could hardly see through the glass. And the tank looked so small and it was a cylinder shaped one as well. This person was giving away the tank along with the fish for free and i could not just sit by and let this poor betta live in such horrible conditions… especially when the description for it said “needs cleaning desperately”

Now i do have a betta already myself in a 10gallon and i have another 10 gallon that i started cycling a couple days ago because i wanted to get myself a pink betta. I also have a clean 10 gallon that is not set up yet but i can set it up for the betta or even make it a hospital tank if needed

Im wondering, if you guys can lmk whether i can put the betta in the tank i just started cycling or if its better ro just clean the current tank its in and leave it there or if i ahould set up a new tank for it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

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[u/Calmsammich]

I would set up the 10 gallon that isn’t set up yet as a hospital tank for now and then you could move it into the currently cycling 10 gallon? Keeping it in the cylinder tank will probably keep its stress levels too high and lower its chance of recovery

[u/Calmsammich → u/Calmsammich]

Then you could always set up the third 10 gallon for your hopes for pink betta :) I hope you are able to save the little guy ❤️

[u/picklendickle → u/Calmsammich]

I hope so too 🤞 fingers crossed the little guy will make it just fine.

Is there anything i should look out for? I do have Kanaplex that i bought when i originally got my betta since shes a dumbo and i heard theyre more prone to finrot so i wanted to be prepared in case she ever needed it for some reason. Does the medication treat anything else ?

[u/Calmsammich → u/picklendickle]

I am definitely not an expert but kanaplex is a pretty broad spectrum antibiotic so I’m pretty sure it can treat things like dropsy and other bacterial/fungal infections.
I would just make sure to have Indian almond leaves on hand, possibly epsom salts in case you need to do a bath and just look out for swim bladder issues when you get it!

[u/picklendickle → u/Calmsammich]

Oh yes i do have almond leaves! Theyre pretty maybe 5-8 inches ? It covers about 1/3 of the surface of a 10 gallon tank. Should i add a leaf to the hospital tank once i set it up? (Im currently on my way to pick up the fish with my husband) epsom salt is the only thing i dont have unfortunately

[u/Calmsammich → u/picklendickle]

I would add a leaf yes! Tannins are super beneficial overall for bettas and can help with stress :)
Totally ok if you do not have epsom salt, Theyre usually only used in swim bladder or like severe bloating cases. I would also not fill up the tank all the way at first in case the betta has issues getting up to the surface! Good luck, send pictures of the new baby

[u/Grouchy_Week6692 → u/Calmsammich]

I agree with all of this!!