Beta fish question

[bananiem]

I bought the kids 2 betas last Friday. Yes, they are in separate vases. If one more person asks me that...
Anyway, one is definitley sick and will probably go to that big aquarium in the sky in the next few hours.
SO... How do I disinfect the vase for a new fish so it doesn't "get" whatever this fish "had"? I read that you aren't supposed to use bleach, which is what I use to disinfect everything else in life.

 

[MarkRG]

Ammonia is safe, just rinse it well.

 

[manchurianbrownbear]

My DS just got two beta fish for his 8th birthday several days ago. This morning one of them went belly up. I took the time to remove the dear departed fish and and put him in the freezer in a sealed bag (I guess you can return a dead fish to PetSmart!) but didn't have time to clean the water. The fish share a small tank with a divider separating them. When fish die, is it normally because of something in the water? We cleaned the tank on Saturday and they both seemed all right until last night when one took a turn for the worst. The other one was fine when I left home....

 

[pumba]

from the pet store......Otis is two and a half years old.....but one is 6 months and likes swimming on his side....so I wonder about him.....I leave water out 24 hours in an open container before I put the new water in their bowls.....I figured we do not know anything about these fish......I like the place that has a guarantee with them at least for the first few days anyways.......

 

[yoopermom]

I swear mine's healthier when I *don't* clean the container! I know you're supposed to use distilled water but I just use tap (we have a well) and one of those little dissolving tabs that's supposed to help keep it clean.
Terri

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

You may be able to save the little fellow! You can buy something called aquarium salt in the pet store for a couple of dollars (for a rather large supply of it). I had a betta who was knocking at death's door, and a bit of that in his water brought him right back to health. Might be worth a try!

 

[Ted and Holly]

Never use distilled water for any aquarium fish. It lacks the minerals and trace elements that are required for the water to maintain a stable pH. Too pure of water will actually remove minerals and trace elements (eletrolytes) from the fish. They will not last long in this situation.

Betta (Betta splendens) or Siamese fighting fish can live to 3 years or so. The average life span is about 2 years however.

Part of the problem is that they are kept in the tiny jars. Yes, they can live in this type of container, because they can get most of their oxygen right from the atmosphere. The problem is that in such a small container, waste material builds up to unsafe levels VERY quickly. Frequent water changes are a must.

I would never use ammonia to clean anything related to fish. Ammonia is the first waste product excreted from fish. It is also one of the most dangerous. It will burn their eyes and gills if there is enough in the water.

I have had good luck cleaning things with bleach. Pure chlorine bleach is fine. You need to be sure to rinse it well and possibly add a dechlorinator to the water before putting the fish in.

For very little money, you can get a 10 gallon fish tank with a filter to keep your betta in. It is a far more suitable habitat for the fish.

The same rules apply. Keep males away from other males and even females. They tend to be very intolerant of other betta in the same space. In a 10 gallon tank, you could also add a COUPLE more small fish.

Here is a link to some care tips for Betta. I haven't read the whole thing, but it looks pretty good.

http://www.bettasrus.com/faq/care.htm

Ted

 

[Girls Scout Leader]

PLEASE don't tell me your "vase" is one of those that are becoming the rage here. It's like a fat vase with te fish in the bottom and a plant who's roots are in the water, with marbles or whaever covering the rest of the top of the water. Apparently many people believe that the fish simply survives on the roots, but that isn't really the case. The fish will eat the roots and won't feel hungry, but there are not the right nutrients in them to keep him alive, so esentially he will eventually starve. Whenever I "rescue" a beta from the fish store DH always makes fun because I tend to pick the saddest. He lives in my 10 gallon with a few "community" fish and gets along great. But for pete's sake, feed the fish, people! I'd eat only a root if that's all I'd get, but don't tell me that's appropriate care!!!

 

[Mermaid02]

Bettas are also carnivorous and some shrimp pellets or the like are good for them.

 

[Lorix2]

GirlScoutLeader -

this is exactly how we received our beta fish - in a vase with a plant. I removed the plant and let the fish swim around. I feed ours "beta food".

We had ours for almost a year or possibly more, but a very long time. I never used bleach to clean the vase, just dish detergent and rinsed very well. I always had room temp water standing by to put the fish back into.

Sadly - "Veta" the beta passed away earlier this week - but I think from old age

 

[bananiem]

Gee, that didn't take long.
Girl Scout Leader,
I have been feeding it fish food too. In fact I'm on the 3rd kind of food that specifies on the label that it is for betas.
Since I know several people who have been able to keep their fish alive in a vase for several years, I'm still willing to try it.
BTW- This has been a "rage" here for several years.

Thanks for the helpful hints everybody.
Now, before PETA gets ahold of this thread, can a moderator lock it?
Ok, so I've thought about it and here's the deal-
I feel bad enough about not being able to keep my kids' FIRST PET
alive for more than 5 days. I've never had a pet, of any kind, that breathed. Ok? So I have no idea what to do after the flushing it down the toilet part and I was looking for some help. Not a post about how bad I am to this fish. I'm sorry if I offended Girl Scout Leader. But I didn't post this on the Debate Board. I was looking for HELP!!

 

[Girls Scout Leader]

There was no offence to be taken.
I was simply pointing out the trend of not feeding them is not safe for them.
Ann Landers even had an article warning people about this.
If I sounded brisk, I appologize.
It seems that some poeple just like to bite off other's heads lately.
Guess that's the last you all will hear from me for a while.
I'd rather lurk.

 

[Ted and Holly]

Stop it.

Keeping animals can be a controversal topic. It is almost always an emotional one.

banaiem - You seemed to be defensive from the first post. You knew that this would lead to something like this. Thicker skin could avoid that.

GSL - Your frustration with the misinformation that is often given with betta fish and their use as a decoration comes off as an attack.

As a member of several aquarium-related boards, this is a very common occurance. The seemingly most benign question or post can turn into a moral or emotional arguement.

I doubt anyone here would purposely hurt ANYTHING but a mosquito or love bug. Only calm, well worded information can help educate anyone about anything.

Ted