Betta Jumped Out Of Tank

[sahmof2]

I just found one of my male bettas, Little Meanie, out of his tank and on the counter. He was still moving so I put him back into his tank. He is the only fish in his tank (he doesn't like other fish) so he would not have been jumping out to get away from anything. We have had him for about 5 months and this is the first time he has ever done it. I have a lid on him on now. What do I do now? How long can a betta be out of water and still make it when it is put back into the water? How long do you think it will be before I know if he is not going to make it.

 

[alessasavoca]

how is he looking in the water is he lethargic or active? bettas are known jumpers, they can do it for no apparent reason.

 

[Genie]

hopefully he will be fine. i remember years ago my goldfish jumped out of his 30 gal tank, me and my friend left him, not knowing what to do, til my dad got home. he put him in the sink (probs warm water, kick start him) and he was fine and lived for a long time after that

Let us know how hes doing

 

[sahmof2]

He is sitting on the bottom of the tank with his mouth opening and closing. When I put him back in he swam to the top a few times to get air then settled on the bottom. His eyes look like they have a film or something over them. He has moved to different spots on the bottom of his tank.

 

[ArauraDiscus]

Bettas are jumpers. At my LFS, when we are cleaning the betta containers out, they are constantly jumping out. Labrynth fishes can survive for probably close to an hour out of the water and still recover. However if they dry out in that time they will die.

 

[alessasavoca]

he's probably a bit shocked, needs to recover, keep us all posted here

 

[rdd1952]

Since bettas are surface breathers, they will fare better out of water than other fish. Since he was still breathing, he should make a full recovery. I'm not certain whether products like Stress Coat actually work to help with the slime coat or not but it probably wouldn't hurt to add some to the tank just in case.

Definitely cover all holes. I had a betta just once but he wasn't so fortunate as yours. He ended up on the carpet and was dry and hard when I got home from work that day. They can jump through very, very small holes. Mine jumped through a 1" square hole that was about 2" above the water surface.

 

[*Fishkies*]

Be sure to add some extra conditioner so that this would help with his stress. And help repair any slime coat that may have been lost or damaged.

Be sure to keep a lid on at all times. This will prevent in any other future accidents of him jumping out.

Also try to not disturb him. By disturbing him this may stress him out more.

Best of Luck!!

 

[sahmof2]

Here is an update on Little Meanie. After being still and breathing hard all day yeaterday, he is up and moving around today. He has even eaten his breakfast! He was in his little house (a clay pot) this morning when I checked on him. After the way he was last night, I was afraid of what I would find this morning. Things are looking up and maybe he will be alright now. He was even trying to do his little wiggle. Thanks to everyone who replied. This betta has given me trouble than any other I've had, hence the name Little Meanie.