I broke my air stone and I want to know if I could still use the filter to keep my fish alive until I get another air stone.
Answers:
Yes of course, Airstones are not needed in aquariums alo they do help, And can look atractive, And you could just run the airtubing in to the tank and have 1 bubble instead of lots just till you get a new one, Maybe get 2 and keep one as a spare
~ GG
yes, that should be fine, hope you get the airstone soon!
and if you are wondering, walmart sells airstones too!
YES U CAN JUST USE UR FILTER FOR NOW
BUT JUST REMEMBER TO GET ANOTHER AIR STONE...
bettas dont really like that much water movement to being with but they adapt to it. so it should be fine maybe he might even enjoy it for a little while until you get a new one.
If you have an under gravel filter (its what my betta's tank has) then Im sure you can use it without the stone, but the stones arent that expensive, so I wouldnt put off buying a new one too long.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Betta fish taking turns in tank?
I have male betta fish each living in seperate 1 gallon bowls.well, i got this 3 gallon tank with a filter, heater and light at a garage sale for $4, so I'm going to let one of the fish live in the tank
I feell kind of bad for only having 1 tanks, and 2 betta fish, so is it ok, to switch the fish out weekly when i clean the bowl, so each fish will have a week at a time in the big tank, or would that be to stressfull for them?
Answers:
No it is not ok, if one has a heater and the other doesn't the temperature change could end up killing the fish, Only let one fish live in the tank with a different temperature, buy another tank they are only 10 dollars at walmart for a 10 gallon.
Ps- its a myth that bettas live in puddles in the wild they actually live in small ponds that are still, if they lived in small puddles how would they reproduce?
I think maybe you are thinking way to hard about this. They are just fish.
Don't keep switching it would stress them out- and bettas don't need 3 gallons of water so you shouldn't feel bad about leaving one in a smaller bowl. I mean, they live in puddles contentedly in the wild.
Some fish tanks have dividers that come with them if it did that would work or get another 3 gallon tank with the heater and everything. i wouldnt worry they are just fish and they dont need alot of space.
Beta fish don't need lots of room at all. Betas are happy just in a small empty bowl. They don't need a light or anything. I have a Beta too, and sometimes I gotta remind myself- it's just a fish.:)
Go to Wal-Mart, buy a 10 gallon with a lid and lights for $30. Buy a filter for $20. The difference in water could be drastic, and very stressful. Get the 10 gallon, and a separator in the tank. Both Bettas will live happily ever after
I feell kind of bad for only having 1 tanks, and 2 betta fish, so is it ok, to switch the fish out weekly when i clean the bowl, so each fish will have a week at a time in the big tank, or would that be to stressfull for them?
Answers:
No it is not ok, if one has a heater and the other doesn't the temperature change could end up killing the fish, Only let one fish live in the tank with a different temperature, buy another tank they are only 10 dollars at walmart for a 10 gallon.
Ps- its a myth that bettas live in puddles in the wild they actually live in small ponds that are still, if they lived in small puddles how would they reproduce?
I think maybe you are thinking way to hard about this. They are just fish.
Don't keep switching it would stress them out- and bettas don't need 3 gallons of water so you shouldn't feel bad about leaving one in a smaller bowl. I mean, they live in puddles contentedly in the wild.
Some fish tanks have dividers that come with them if it did that would work or get another 3 gallon tank with the heater and everything. i wouldnt worry they are just fish and they dont need alot of space.
Beta fish don't need lots of room at all. Betas are happy just in a small empty bowl. They don't need a light or anything. I have a Beta too, and sometimes I gotta remind myself- it's just a fish.:)
Go to Wal-Mart, buy a 10 gallon with a lid and lights for $30. Buy a filter for $20. The difference in water could be drastic, and very stressful. Get the 10 gallon, and a separator in the tank. Both Bettas will live happily ever after
Betta fish is suddenly swimming strangely, I can't figure out what it could be... more inside?
I've been searching answers %26 internet %26 nothing really sounds like what is going on with my betta. I came home yesterday %26 he's swimming oddly. It's hard to explain; it's almost like he isn't really using his tail to swim. If he tries to turn, it's like his body will bend in a U shape. It looks very un-natural, %26 I don't think he's doing it on purpose because he always seems to struggle to make himself straight again.
He's eating as he normally does (which is quite funny because he attacks his food...literally he jumps like he's attacking the food %26 will come a little out of the water.) He seems to have a harder time righting himself when he gets back into the water, %26 like I said the U shape his body will go to. His tail fin isn't spread out like it normally is, but he doesn't look discolored to me at all. It's hard to tell because he always had some white near the bottom of his fins but it doesn't look different. I change water regularly, %26 feed him once a day.
Answers:
Change his water, add in some aquarium salt and a mild antibiotic such as bettafix. It's hard to tell, without seeing the fish, but he could have a bacterial infection, or perhaps parasites. Shine a flashlight on him. If you see golden colored shiny stuff, then that's called Velvet and is a parasite. If that's the case you can add in a parasite treatment in lieu of the bettafix. He may have just injurred himself on something in the tank. Are there any plastic plants or sharp decorations?
maybe he has a tail fin boo boo? i don't really know that there's anything to do about that, other than let him work it out.
Have you changed the water since you noticed these symptoms?
My betta had done the same thing (bending in a "U" shaped fashion) except he became quite discoloured.
Once I changed the water %26 cleaned his bowl, he was fine within a few hours.
I think I might have accidentally sprayed fly spray too close to the tank...
It could be the water conditions or swim bladder disease. You need to change the water in bowls that aren't filtered at least every 3 days. You can add a pinch of aquarium salt to the water. You should also fast him for a few days. Some times Betta's get constipated and cause's their swim bladders to mess up. Which can cause them to swim sideways or even up side down in severe cases. The Melafix as someone else mentioned is more of a preventitive. I have never had much luck from it. Just keep the water clean. Betta's are tropical fish and need to be in a heated, filtered tank. No less than 2.5 gallons. The fish can live in a bowl but not a long healthy life.
First of all you have pics of 2 different bettas on here
and none of them seems sick to me
Since you're upgrading anyway, don't forget to have a heater as well, they do best in temperatures around 78-82 degrees, and the color will flourish as well
The reason he seems odd do you is because he needs more room to swim
Hope that helps
Good luck
EB
He's eating as he normally does (which is quite funny because he attacks his food...literally he jumps like he's attacking the food %26 will come a little out of the water.) He seems to have a harder time righting himself when he gets back into the water, %26 like I said the U shape his body will go to. His tail fin isn't spread out like it normally is, but he doesn't look discolored to me at all. It's hard to tell because he always had some white near the bottom of his fins but it doesn't look different. I change water regularly, %26 feed him once a day.
Answers:
Change his water, add in some aquarium salt and a mild antibiotic such as bettafix. It's hard to tell, without seeing the fish, but he could have a bacterial infection, or perhaps parasites. Shine a flashlight on him. If you see golden colored shiny stuff, then that's called Velvet and is a parasite. If that's the case you can add in a parasite treatment in lieu of the bettafix. He may have just injurred himself on something in the tank. Are there any plastic plants or sharp decorations?
maybe he has a tail fin boo boo? i don't really know that there's anything to do about that, other than let him work it out.
Have you changed the water since you noticed these symptoms?
My betta had done the same thing (bending in a "U" shaped fashion) except he became quite discoloured.
Once I changed the water %26 cleaned his bowl, he was fine within a few hours.
I think I might have accidentally sprayed fly spray too close to the tank...
It could be the water conditions or swim bladder disease. You need to change the water in bowls that aren't filtered at least every 3 days. You can add a pinch of aquarium salt to the water. You should also fast him for a few days. Some times Betta's get constipated and cause's their swim bladders to mess up. Which can cause them to swim sideways or even up side down in severe cases. The Melafix as someone else mentioned is more of a preventitive. I have never had much luck from it. Just keep the water clean. Betta's are tropical fish and need to be in a heated, filtered tank. No less than 2.5 gallons. The fish can live in a bowl but not a long healthy life.
First of all you have pics of 2 different bettas on here
and none of them seems sick to me
Since you're upgrading anyway, don't forget to have a heater as well, they do best in temperatures around 78-82 degrees, and the color will flourish as well
The reason he seems odd do you is because he needs more room to swim
Hope that helps
Good luck
EB
Betta fish help?
what is the easiest way to clean a betta fish tank? without doing it manually, because i heard that bettas hate moving water.
Answers:
I use a water filter system that hangs from the side of the tank.
like Whisper Power Filter found at walmart.
It keeps the water really clean.I've had my betta(male) for about 4 years now with no problems. You might want check into it!
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.d...
A small one is only like $12 or so.
Try a small hose, and suck the water out. That's what I did for my fish tanks.
Bettas don't HATE moving water. They prefer to live in calm water and don't like a lot of current, but some moving water during a water change is not going to kill your fish. He will not hate you forever, or start to hatch a diabolical plan to kill you in your sleep. It depends on how big the tank is on how you clean it. With some of my tanks, I use an aquarium siphon/vacum and suck the gunk from the bottom and then refill with treated aged water. Some of my tanks I gently remove the fish and place in another container with some of his current water and then just dump the dirty water down the sink, give the tank a good rinse, add in the aged treated water, and then gently place the fish back in the tank.
The easiest way is to scoop the Bettas out of the tank, and then do a gravel vacuuming. They don't hate moving water, but strong currents make it difficult to swim because of their long fins. For more Betta help, check out the link in my profile.
Nosoop4u
Answers:
I use a water filter system that hangs from the side of the tank.
like Whisper Power Filter found at walmart.
It keeps the water really clean.I've had my betta(male) for about 4 years now with no problems. You might want check into it!
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.d...
A small one is only like $12 or so.
Try a small hose, and suck the water out. That's what I did for my fish tanks.
Bettas don't HATE moving water. They prefer to live in calm water and don't like a lot of current, but some moving water during a water change is not going to kill your fish. He will not hate you forever, or start to hatch a diabolical plan to kill you in your sleep. It depends on how big the tank is on how you clean it. With some of my tanks, I use an aquarium siphon/vacum and suck the gunk from the bottom and then refill with treated aged water. Some of my tanks I gently remove the fish and place in another container with some of his current water and then just dump the dirty water down the sink, give the tank a good rinse, add in the aged treated water, and then gently place the fish back in the tank.
The easiest way is to scoop the Bettas out of the tank, and then do a gravel vacuuming. They don't hate moving water, but strong currents make it difficult to swim because of their long fins. For more Betta help, check out the link in my profile.
Nosoop4u
Betta fish help?
I just bought a betta fish yesterday, and put him in a clean tank, with clean water that sat out a whole day, and was treated with "Betta water conditioner". But once I took him out of that little cup and put him in the tank i noticed a difference. He has to struggle to swim to the bottom. He stays at the top. Sometime when i go over to watch him, he freaks out and floats on his side. He almost floats on top of the water. All of his fins stop moving, so i think that he's dead. Then i realize that his gills are still moving and I tap the tank and he swims around a bit more.
I've had two betta fish before this one and neither has behaved this strangely. Any idea whats wrong?
Answers:
Since this happened so quickly I would first thing either temperature or pH shock. Unless you carefully acclimated your betta to the water conditions int he new tank, either one could have caused the problem.
If I can help further feel free to email me.
MM
he is in shock and by you tapping the glass, your making it worse.
get a new tank, and also let the water sit for 24 hours before putting him in.
I had betta fish and they lived until they died of old age I just used tap water with no chemicals added to their water.
You shocked the fish somehow. How slowly did you acclimate him to the new tank? If you just dumped him in the new tank then his little body is going into shock due to the temperature and ph change he's experiencing.
I agree with Magic, and would like to add that you might have incorrectly dosed the water conditioner. It wouldn't hurt to add a few more drops to see if it perks up.
How quickly did you introduce your betta to his new home? It sounds like he might be in shock from the transfer. Check the temperature of his water- it should be about 74-80 degrees F. If your fish is eating well, I'd give him some time to adjust to his new home.
To make sure that your fish stays happy and healthy in the future, remember to change his water once every week. Good luck with him!
Responding to another posters advice: Never add more water conditioner than the directions suggest. Overdosing water conditioner can kill your fish.
I agree with the people who said that he could have possibly been shocked. Also, the floating you mentioned can be swimbladder disorder. It will go away on its own. About the shock- maybe the water temperature difference was too great. Leave him alone and don't go over to the tank. Bettas commonly get "depression" but soon snap out of it. Don't worry too much, with some common sense and a bit of luck, you and your betta will pull through. Good luck!
I've had two betta fish before this one and neither has behaved this strangely. Any idea whats wrong?
Answers:
Since this happened so quickly I would first thing either temperature or pH shock. Unless you carefully acclimated your betta to the water conditions int he new tank, either one could have caused the problem.
If I can help further feel free to email me.
MM
he is in shock and by you tapping the glass, your making it worse.
get a new tank, and also let the water sit for 24 hours before putting him in.
I had betta fish and they lived until they died of old age I just used tap water with no chemicals added to their water.
You shocked the fish somehow. How slowly did you acclimate him to the new tank? If you just dumped him in the new tank then his little body is going into shock due to the temperature and ph change he's experiencing.
I agree with Magic, and would like to add that you might have incorrectly dosed the water conditioner. It wouldn't hurt to add a few more drops to see if it perks up.
How quickly did you introduce your betta to his new home? It sounds like he might be in shock from the transfer. Check the temperature of his water- it should be about 74-80 degrees F. If your fish is eating well, I'd give him some time to adjust to his new home.
To make sure that your fish stays happy and healthy in the future, remember to change his water once every week. Good luck with him!
Responding to another posters advice: Never add more water conditioner than the directions suggest. Overdosing water conditioner can kill your fish.
I agree with the people who said that he could have possibly been shocked. Also, the floating you mentioned can be swimbladder disorder. It will go away on its own. About the shock- maybe the water temperature difference was too great. Leave him alone and don't go over to the tank. Bettas commonly get "depression" but soon snap out of it. Don't worry too much, with some common sense and a bit of luck, you and your betta will pull through. Good luck!
Betta fish help!?
O.K. I've had my betta for about two months. Everything has been going fine, he was eating well and making bubble nests; untill I cleaned his bowl yesterday. I did nothing different than I normally do, but he tries to eat then spits it out, andhe's lazy, and he hasn't even started to build a nest. Is he sick? If so, is there a way to make him better?
Answers:
Your betta is just going through a mini acclimating cycle. It is trying to adjust to the "minor shock" of ph, temp, change. Don't worry, if it was healthy and eating prior to the water change, chances are it will recover really fast. Don't feed it for 1 or two days, because if it doesn't eat, then you'll feel really discourage and bad for it. it's okay, it can go almost a week without food. And remember, not all bettas make bubble nest, (even the healhty bettas sometimes do not make bubbles). they're just like humans, some can get lazy you know! Relax, it'll be fine.
He just might be in shock from changing his water. Did you have clorine in your water? I know I have in my water and if you do you need to put drops in the water to bring down the levels of clorine or else the fish will die.
This is normal. It has happened a few times to me. In a few days your betta will go back to normal.
i dont think there is anything wrong with him.most of the time,when a bettas water gets changed they are lethargic for a day or two.hes just getting used to the water.good luck!!
They definitely let you know when they aren't happy with there water conditions or home. Do you have him in just a bowl or is he in a tank with a air pump and air stone? Mine did the same thing when I just had him in a bowl..When I switched him to a 2 gallon tank with a air pump and air stone he perked up and ate. One other thing is I give him Betta pellets for a few days then switch to Betta flakes for a few days. They get bored eating the same thing every day. I occasionally also give him freeze dried worms-tubifex worms or brine shrimp.
Go to bettatalk.com it has tons of information on betta fish, and it will most likely tell you what is wrong with the little guys, and how to make him feel better.
he must be sick
Answers:
Your betta is just going through a mini acclimating cycle. It is trying to adjust to the "minor shock" of ph, temp, change. Don't worry, if it was healthy and eating prior to the water change, chances are it will recover really fast. Don't feed it for 1 or two days, because if it doesn't eat, then you'll feel really discourage and bad for it. it's okay, it can go almost a week without food. And remember, not all bettas make bubble nest, (even the healhty bettas sometimes do not make bubbles). they're just like humans, some can get lazy you know! Relax, it'll be fine.
He just might be in shock from changing his water. Did you have clorine in your water? I know I have in my water and if you do you need to put drops in the water to bring down the levels of clorine or else the fish will die.
This is normal. It has happened a few times to me. In a few days your betta will go back to normal.
i dont think there is anything wrong with him.most of the time,when a bettas water gets changed they are lethargic for a day or two.hes just getting used to the water.good luck!!
They definitely let you know when they aren't happy with there water conditions or home. Do you have him in just a bowl or is he in a tank with a air pump and air stone? Mine did the same thing when I just had him in a bowl..When I switched him to a 2 gallon tank with a air pump and air stone he perked up and ate. One other thing is I give him Betta pellets for a few days then switch to Betta flakes for a few days. They get bored eating the same thing every day. I occasionally also give him freeze dried worms-tubifex worms or brine shrimp.
Go to bettatalk.com it has tons of information on betta fish, and it will most likely tell you what is wrong with the little guys, and how to make him feel better.
he must be sick
Betta Fish getting pale?
I have a red betta fish and I take good care of him, but recently he turned pale and doesnt eat at all. He just swims on the very top and dont move that much. Whats wrong with him?
Answers:
Its bad water quality and/or low water temperature.
You need to change 50% of his tank water and make sure the temperature is 78-85degrees Fahrenheit.
It also could be signs of aging.
Hope this helps
WT
not to make you sad but mine did that right before it died it lost all of its color and quit eating and would just sit at the top of the water
I am very sorry, this is probally your last moments with your fish. When they lose color they are about to die. It really sucks!
He is sick. I will pray he is not dying. Go to your local fish store and ask their suggestions. There are many medications you can give a sick Betta if you treat them quick enough.
Think of it as calling a Fishy Doctor :)
Good luck!
The paleness could be a sign of stress or aging. Has there been a water change recently? there may be a buildup of ammonia, nitrite, or nitrate, and these couls explain the loss of appetite as well.
Does he have a heater? Bettas do best when their temperature is between 76-86o. Too far to either side of this range and they'll become lethargic and lose their appetities.
How long have you had the betta? Their lifespan can be as long as 7 years, although some only live for 2-3, and they're usually between 6-9 months old when they're sold in stores.
That's just sooooo wierd! Those things live forever! My friend had one and it lived for 5yrs. Now I have one and it has been alive for 3 (As far as I know..) (Got it as a favor for one of my friend's b-day parties) (Don't ask!!!)
So back to your question: Go to the pet store and ask around. It can't hurt. And If they can't help I don't konw what to do
It could be that his water is too cold. My bettas get pale when they are too cold. He should be in a minimum of 1/2 gallon of water. Make sure you have a thermometer on the tank so you can make sure it stays in the right range. Hikari makes something called betta revive that can help to perk him up a bit.
Okay, here's a few things that have worked for my bettas.
One. Check the amount of light he is exposed to. Don't put him in a window or anything, but if he's in dim light in a corner or something, he might benefit from a little more illumination.
Next thing would be to put a little mirror by the side of his bowl/tank. Seeing 'another male' can snap them out of a depressive state.
If he's having noticable trouble swimming down, he might have a swim bladder infection. They sell medicine you can add to the water at most pet stores.
First, I'd start off with the water change. Make sure it has been treated with chlorine remover and allowed to reach room temp first.
Answers:
Its bad water quality and/or low water temperature.
You need to change 50% of his tank water and make sure the temperature is 78-85degrees Fahrenheit.
It also could be signs of aging.
Hope this helps
WT
not to make you sad but mine did that right before it died it lost all of its color and quit eating and would just sit at the top of the water
I am very sorry, this is probally your last moments with your fish. When they lose color they are about to die. It really sucks!
He is sick. I will pray he is not dying. Go to your local fish store and ask their suggestions. There are many medications you can give a sick Betta if you treat them quick enough.
Think of it as calling a Fishy Doctor :)
Good luck!
The paleness could be a sign of stress or aging. Has there been a water change recently? there may be a buildup of ammonia, nitrite, or nitrate, and these couls explain the loss of appetite as well.
Does he have a heater? Bettas do best when their temperature is between 76-86o. Too far to either side of this range and they'll become lethargic and lose their appetities.
How long have you had the betta? Their lifespan can be as long as 7 years, although some only live for 2-3, and they're usually between 6-9 months old when they're sold in stores.
That's just sooooo wierd! Those things live forever! My friend had one and it lived for 5yrs. Now I have one and it has been alive for 3 (As far as I know..) (Got it as a favor for one of my friend's b-day parties) (Don't ask!!!)
So back to your question: Go to the pet store and ask around. It can't hurt. And If they can't help I don't konw what to do
It could be that his water is too cold. My bettas get pale when they are too cold. He should be in a minimum of 1/2 gallon of water. Make sure you have a thermometer on the tank so you can make sure it stays in the right range. Hikari makes something called betta revive that can help to perk him up a bit.
Okay, here's a few things that have worked for my bettas.
One. Check the amount of light he is exposed to. Don't put him in a window or anything, but if he's in dim light in a corner or something, he might benefit from a little more illumination.
Next thing would be to put a little mirror by the side of his bowl/tank. Seeing 'another male' can snap them out of a depressive state.
If he's having noticable trouble swimming down, he might have a swim bladder infection. They sell medicine you can add to the water at most pet stores.
First, I'd start off with the water change. Make sure it has been treated with chlorine remover and allowed to reach room temp first.
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