My Betta lives in a reg/large size plastic peanut butter jar. Despite that, he's five years old and just seemingly start to have problems. Should I change the jar?
And how is ammonia poisoning created?
Because he has kind of reddish gills now should I change the water everyday now for a change?
He also has this small gole in his pectoral fin(the front fin)
Someone suggested PimaFix. But does Betta Water Conditioner work like PimaFix? Two years ago, I used Betta Water Conditioner when his tail got this hole too and he healed.
Answers:
I would say, yes, change the jar or change the water in the jar. I wouldn't recommend anything less than a 2.5 gallon filtered tank for Bettas. They sell these tanks cheap at PetSmart (Under $10.00). You can buy a 2.5 gallon kit (Top Aqua Scene 2 for $9.99) or get a standard rectangular 2.5 gallon aquarium and buy the filter, air pump, substrate, and a silk plant . After buying everything- you'll be out $30-$40 tops. Make sure you read up on tank cycling prior to adding the Betta to a new tank and that will give you more insight into ammonia and nitrate levels. You may want to keep the Betta in a cleaner jar until the tank has sufficiently cycled.
Ammonia levels are caused by waste from the Betta and excess food in the jar. In a peanut butter size jar, you'd have to conduct a water change every few days to keep the ammonia level under control.
The redness on his gills is most likely caused by by irritation from high ammonia levels (or high chlorine levels if his water is untreated). His gills are essentially "burning" from the ammonia. He may also flare his gills more often in order to sooth the burn. If he had more room he would be swimming rapidly or "darting" to also help cool the burning. If you haven't already, change the water now! Use a Betta Conditioner to remove any heavy metals, chloramine and chlorine from any water you add to the jar.
PimaFix treats bacterial and fungal infections. He could have Fin Rot, but Fin Rot generally starts on the outer-edge of the fin and works it's way to the base. Betta Water Conditioner doesn't treat infections, as I mentioned above. If you used it two years ago, it possibly cleared his water and he healed on his own. Try looking for medications dosed for Bettas to avoid complications.
Remember, drop the cash and get that 2.5 gallon tank setup. The Betta will be happier and it will be much more attractive to look at than a peanut butter jar! Good luck and take care of that little guy and keep him around for many more years.
Edit: Hey, your Betta is fairly old. If old age is his problem and he's unforuntately on his way out then there's not too much you can do about. Nature always takes its course, however; you'll have a nice and proper setup for your next Betta. Or your current Betta will have a very comfortable and happy reamainder of his life.
I use Melafix if my Bettas get sick, it has worked very well for them. :-)
As for changing the water, how often do you change it usually? :-) I change the water every 2 days and that seems to work for me.
It sounds, though, that you've been taking very good care of your Betta since he's 5 years old already, that is a great age for a Betta. :-) It might just be that he's getting old and slowing down...
Get a much bigger tank! Try a 1 gallon or 2.5 gallon tank with a filter. Your betta is probably sick because of the water quality. Do you have a test kit? High Ammonia is the #1 way to kill fish. Fish produce ammonia when they go to the bathroom, food "rots", and so on.
Please tell me you're kidding.
Ammonia poisoning is caused by the buildup of ammonia. This ammonia is toxic to the fish and can lead to gill issues as well as fin rot. Clean the tank every other day until the problem goes away. Also, get some medications like Melafix. Good luck! Check out the link in my profile for more help.
Nosoop4u
Bettas, at their longest, only live 4-5 years, so despite the peanut butter jar, you have managed to keep a betta all the way through to the end of his days. He's an old grandpa and it's just his time to go I'm afraid.
I suggest a bigger home and a tank with a filter and heater. Check with your local pet store about treating him but it sounds like he's just getting old.
Betas need at LEAST 1 gallon of water. But with your fish being 5 years old he might be dying of old age. Beta's usually don't live but 2 or 3 years. So if you have had him for 5 years, you got a very old man on your hands
dun know that that much about it buit he shouldnt even bee in a peanut butter jar. he should at least have like a 1 gallon bowl. also how cna he live for 5 years. i though they only lived up to like 2 years XP
