My Betta: Allan

[KrystaK]

I've had my male Betta for over a year now (My bf got him for me on his birthday (Yeah, it was his birthday, so i got the present ) Anyways, we got one of those small half gallon betta kits. He did fine in that tank with no filter and his water was changed regularly....
I wanted to get more fish so I went out and bought a 5 gallon tank. I got it home and set it up and put him in it and then checked Petsmart (They are the only store around that sells live fish) and they said nothing else can go in a tank that small (Except guppies and mystery snails) (But I have a thing for Betta's, and Platy and Mollies) Anyways..... To the main problem:

I got up this morning and my Betta, Allan, was stuck behind the filter in the 5 gallon tank I bought. (It's a Marina Internal Filter, but it didn't sit quite properly in my tank, but I found a position where it wasn't drifting or anything and it's great, it's so much quieter than the other filter I had, and it isn't strong spo it doesn't bug Allan with the current)... gosh I get distracted don't I..
I rescued him from behind the filter and he swam away and then I noticed that he wasn`t using the fin on his right side. He can swim, but it seems like it`s so much work for him now.....I was wondering, what are the chances of him living if he can`t use that fin? He hasn't eaten, and he's just floating in his favorite sleep-plant (He has a favorite plant to sleep in or w/e fishes do to rest - I know, it's weird that I know he has a favorite)


Otherwise he's a very healthy fish

 

[Fyurae]

He will most likely recover, or at least he'll be a Nemo. Just keep the water extra clean in case there are any flesh wounds. Just make sure he's still eating.

 

[KrystaK]

Ok thank you

 

[OldMan47]

Welcome to the forum KrystaK.
Your betta should do just fine as long as you continue to do the kind of water changes it took with the unfiltered smaller container. The filter in that new tank will not likely be ready to support your new fish for at least 6 weeks and maybe even longer. The filter will need to "cycle" before it will support your betta. The statement by your LFS that nothing but guppies and mystery snails can go into the new tank is simply wrong. There are a large number of tiny species of fish that would find a 5 gallon tank roomy. As long as you do not intend to try to bred them, many of those fish would make great companions for a Betta Splendens.
On the equipment side of things, I would make an attempt to either make the space behind the filter so small the betta cannot get into it or place something to create a space large enough that he can easily swim back out on his own. We don't want him getting trapped back there again.

 

[KrystaK]

Yeah, I've put waterproof tape aroudn the edges of the back of the filter so he ca't get behind it (Thats the plus side of working at a hardware store, you find things you didn't think existed - waterproof tape FTW )

I would be interested to hear what other small fishies would find a 5 gallon a nice home and get along with my Allan.... not that they would have to, he's in a bad way... I got up this morning and found Allan on his side at the bottom of the tank. He hasn't eaten since the day before yesterday but at this point I don't think he has the strength to swim to the top to get the food He's still alive, but I'm not holding much hope....

 

[Better is Betta]

Yeah, I've put waterproof tape aroudn the edges of the back of the filter so he ca't get behind it (Thats the plus side of working at a hardware store, you find things you didn't think existed - waterproof tape FTW )

I would be interested to hear what other small fishies would find a 5 gallon a nice home and get along with my Allan.... not that they would have to, he's in a bad way... I got up this morning and found Allan on his side at the bottom of the tank. He hasn't eaten since the day before yesterday but at this point I don't think he has the strength to swim to the top to get the food He's still alive, but I'm not holding much hope....

Oh dear that doesn't sound good He may have stressed out over the ordeal and now is in shock or developed an illness. Keep your water in good condition and pray he gets better. We all have our fingers crossed.....Come on Allen hang in there little fella you can do it