Betta Feeling Emotionally Stressed!

[GuppyGoddess]

Hi everyone,

This is more a mental health post than a physical emergency. . .

I have a 10-gallon that I put a female betta in. She is so tiny, so I thought adding other fish would fill up the tank. I made the mistake of adding 3 rasboras and they're simply too active for her. I thought that if I added two more, that they fish would adapt to their schooling behavior and the betta would feel more secure. Well, things have become WORSE. Normally, she swims back and forth across the front of the tank, but now she's hiding in the corner.

I feel terrible and the even more I cannot seem to catch any of the rasboras to get them out of the tank. My husband said NO more tanks (since I have three and also a 2 gallon bowl), so my only options are a) leaving her with the rasboras, or b) taking her out and putting her in my other empty 2 gallon bowl with a heater and doing many water changes (which I don't mind).

Which would be less stressful for her? Should I also consider buying a larger net to attempt to get the rasboras out? I'm going to have to pull out all my decor to get to them.

What a disaster. I'd rather keep my Betta than the rasboras, but it looks like I may be stuck with them.

 

[Tolak]

c) Get a divider.

 

[GuppyGoddess]

Edited: I'm concerned that once the rasboras hit 2" or so, they'll be too big for only 1/2 to 2/3 of the tank. That said, I managed to get them out by using my breeding trap and now their swimming in a large sauce pan.

Off to the pet store I go after I google and find a couple quiet, solitary fish that will be more compatable.

 

[WILDER]

I would rehome the rasbora's. For now she need issolating or divide the tank with a petition.

 

[GuppyGoddess]

I just got back from the pet store and they took the rasboras back. They gave me the full amount for the two I bought yesterday and 1/3 the original price I paid for the other three. I used the funds to buy an API ammonia test kit (just ran out).

This is so bad, but while in there I saw the most beautiful Betta and I almost bought him. Ugh, what is wrong with me? I've got to stop doing this. I found a coat I like and am going to buy that instead! lol

The girl betta is going to be kept on her own. I did find a few fish that can live solitairy with a betta (according to a few websites I read), but the ones in the store had little spots on them. Now I'm paranoid the rasboras I brought home might have a disease too. Are they similar to Neons in easily becoming sick in new tanks with ich or the like?

 

[WILDER]

Might of been there markings. What colour were the spots.


I lost the fish keeping bug now. lol.

 

[GuppyGoddess]

Might of been there markings. What colour were the spots.


I lost the fish keeping bug now. lol.

The fish were dwarf gourami and the spots were irridecent due to the lighting in the store and possibly looked a bit raised. I hate their lighting. I've left once or twice to find my fish looking slightly different than how they did in the tank! In another tank, a few fish had the dots too, but they I think they may have been of the same species. The Rasboras in the other tank didn't have them and the store doesn't have a central water system. Each tank has it's own gear, so hopefully contamination is kept to a min.

Do you have any fish at all at this point? Even though I wanted that Betta very badly, I'm worried about becoming burnt out and so am just enjoying the ones I have. Three bettas (two male and one female) and two guppies & a little fry. I also have two pygmy cories, but doubt they'll live because the two others I bought over the last three weeks have died. lol (If the fry guppy ends up being a girl and gets pregnant, I'm screwed!!!)

 

[WILDER]

Could be parasite to bactrial. If the fish were flicking and rubbing, darting, excess mucas, it would point more to parasites.

I had three tanks but down to one now.
Only have one panda cory left in the 30 gallon. He's getting old.
Not keeping fish anymore.
I would really think about getting more tanks. As you can soon get frustrated with it all.
I just lost interest.

 

[GuppyGoddess]

None of the fish I had were flicking (thank goodness). I'll keep an eye on the female. . .so far the only white spot is her egg thingy (whatever you call that) which I swear wasn't as prominant when the Rasboras were in the tank.

You're so helpful on this forum. I'm glad you've decided to stick around even with your change in hobbies.

 

[WILDER]

Thanks.
Good Luck.

 

[loraxchick]

get some snails for her to watch. or a small group of cories.
or wait till shes a bit bigger and start a proper sorority for her (you could easily do that in a 10 gal with lots of plants/hidey holes).
id say no for the gourami.
just a thought
cheers

 

[GuppyGoddess]

get some snails for her to watch. or a small group of cories.
or wait till shes a bit bigger and start a proper sorority for her (you could easily do that in a 10 gal with lots of plants/hidey holes).
id say no for the gourami.
just a thought
cheers

Thanks. I was looking at a library book last night and the spots did look similar to ich. It'll be hard to tell for sure and I guess it's a moot point if Gouramis are not a good mix.

Right now she is alone and the tank is still cycling (yes, I'm a terrible person), so once the water settles down, I'll have decided whether to add more fish. A few cories may be a good choice. . .There'll be plenty of room once the tank is cycled and I've had a chance to see how she does on her own. I think she'd be happier with fish that stay at the bottom of the tank.