Help! Betta Breeding Trouble

[Feather_Sword]

Okay, I have had the 5 gallon tank set up for 1 week with a running sponge filter, and this Monday I would start introducing my Bettas which were conditioned on brine shrimp for about a month, in the tank. Hector had the whole tank, while the female was in a breeders net. Well this morning I woke up and checked on them and I found Hector lying on the bottom of the tank, with the part of the gills that are used for flaring, out all the way like he's breathing heavily. I do not see any worms, or infections on him. I just see him breathe heavily and I'm worried I will lose him. What is wrong with him and what can I do?

 

[Jonty]

Post in the emergency section

 

[Feather_Sword]

I re-posted my topic there.

 

[Jenste]

you say you have had the tank set up for one week? did you seed the filter? if not, then the tank is not cycled and he is probably suffering from ammonia poisoning. start off with massive, frequent water changes with dechlorinated water

also, the female should have a whole separate tank - - you cannot expect her to live forever in a breeding box.


have you done a massive amount of research on betta keeping? it is not as simple as just putting them together - -

get these two fish happy, healthy, and living for a long time with out any issues - - breeding bettas is very very difficult - - requires a great deal of money, time, knowledge, experience, space and stress.


have you research genetics? contacted fish stores in the area to have them take the fry off your hands? contacted your local fish club?