help save my fish (PLZ)

vicious_fishous85 · 01-08-2007, 07:58 PM

I just got a crowntail male beta for Christmas. He used to be full of piss and vinager but now he sits on top of his air pump. He is barely eating (i feed him once a day and he hasn't eaten in 3 days) and his tank is sudsy at the top. He is also slightly lighter in color. I don't want to spend a lot of money to save him (i only spent $7 on him) but i still want to save him.PLEASE help me save my little guy!!!!

Tommy Gun · 01-08-2007, 08:17 PM

Welcome to the forum! Sorry to hear about your troubles...I think you came to the right place though.

I think more information would be needed to help you out faster and with less guess work involved.

What size tank are you using?

How long has the tank been up and running? (Is this a new tank with a new fish that you got for Christmas or did you have the tank before?)

Have you ever tested the tank's water for ammonia, nitrites, or nitrates?

If so, what did those tests say?

If not, are you familiar with the principles of 'cycling' a tank?

Just because this is a common problem for anyone new to the hobby (including most, if not all of us when we started out), I would guess and say that your fish is probrably suffering from ammonia poisoning right now. If you want to learn more about how this happens, why it happens, and how to avoid this in the future, read this sticky article on cycling a tank: http://www.fishtankforums.com/5-fres...-aquarium.html

For now, I would do a water change and take out about 50% of the water and replace it with new water. Make sure that you are also using a chemical that will remove the chlorine from the tap water...if you have some. If not, get some asap since chlorine can be very bad for your fish and it is usually found in most water sources, especially city water.

vicious_fishous85 · 01-08-2007, 09:07 PM

I am using 1 gallon tank with an under rock a pump with filter. I got both of them at the same time. His water was looking a little dingy (yellowish) and he was getting a little less energetic. I have had goldfish in the past and as soon as their water got this way i completely switched it out and they were fine. First time with a betta so i figured it was the same. I dumped most of the water semi-cleaned his rocks (just tried to dislodge the dirt with my hands) and filled up his tank again. I put him back in with about 1/8 of his original water. There were little bits of dirt in the water but he was not acting like himself so I just figured he was a little shocked by the new water (I do use a water-ager/de-chlorinater and use it to the guidelines on the bottle). Now he barely moves and when he does swim around i feed him but he just sits at the bottom of his tank or on top of his air filter. Also, are the suds at the top of his tank because of the the water ager or the possible amonia?

Tommy Gun · 01-08-2007, 09:18 PM

I think the bubbles on the top of the tank's water could be one of two things...one, bettas are known for making bubble nests...two, and most likely, the ammonia and nutrients in your tank right now from not being cycled are causing the bubbles. I once overstocked a tank in an emergency with 75 small fish in a 10 gallon tank and had the same issue.

Ammonia and nitrites are very toxic to your fish...you can read more about it in that 'sticky' article I put the link to before. When cycling a tank with a fish in it, which you are doing, you would need to do water changes pretty often to keep ammonia and nitrite levels low enough for your fish to survive. Make sure that you are putting close to the same temperature water back in the tank when you remove some and keep using that dechlor conditioner with each new water addition. It might also help to get some test kits for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate since these all can affect your fish in a negative way. You can better understand what you would like to work towards as far as what the tests show you by reading that article above or by asking people on this forum. There are a lot of great people here who can help you out quite a bit.

You may also want to give your betta a place to hide in the tank. Most commonly I see a fake plant that is tall enough to reach almost to the top of the water. This will help your fish be more comfortable in the tank.

dlee9707 · 01-08-2007, 09:30 PM

[EDIT]my internet sometimes cuts out in the middle of a thread (satelite by houghes net) and i didnt see your setup so disregard most of it. it looks like you have a good setup for a single beta, just dont have the tank cycled[/EDIT]

Lets jump to some conclusions

1: The tank is not cycled
2: The tank is not big enough (maybe not true as they dont really need huge tanks)
3: The water your using contains clorine
4: You arent running a filter
5: You dont have a substrate or rocks in the tank.
6: You dont have any water testing supplies.
7: Youve never done a water change

Dont take offence to these assumptions. assuming makes and ASS of U and ME..... but seriously there just guesses as to how alot of people treat betas. I'm assuming the worsed possible plausible situation, but all of them are things that need to be chagned if they are true.

as for the changes

1: Read the article on cycling. add a dose of bio-spira to the tank
2: if its more than a gallon your fine i think, as long as its not a wine glass or anything
3: if your on city water, your water has clorine to keep it fresh in it. you can buy a small bottle of water condition for a few dollars such as Prime
4: alot of people dont run filters with betas and im not entirely sure its necasery. although it would help ALOT. Bio-Spira supplies bacteria to the tank to make an instant cycle (almost) but it needs some place to attach to like a filter.
5: A substrate (Gravel or sand on the bottom) Is a place where alot of bacteria can attach to (good bacteria) so its good to have some.
6: You dont need a big fancy kit with a fish bowl or a small tank. You can take a sample to your local fish store and they should test it for you for free. You may wish to purchase some of the more common tests for yourself.
7: water changes help to get rid of built up nitrates in the tank which are toxic to fish as they build up. if the tank is uncycled you will also have ammonia and nitrites (worse than nitrates)

This is just based off what i've seen people do. If your setup is better than the one i described than just look at what you need to do.

I see you buying a new bigger tank in the future by the way. it always happens

vicious_fishous85 · 01-08-2007, 11:27 PM

Thank to both of you.....I shall try the water changes more frequently and since i have changed his water and this whole thing started he already seems to be getting a little better ( i guess thems good bacteria is starting to grow lol) I shall keep you posted on how my little guy is doing. THANKS A BUNCH!!!!!!