Need Quick Betta Help Please

[dollfaced]

Ok so, my dad's friend acquired a betta and two parakeets. The previous owners moved out 3 days ago and left them behind and never came back. So now I have a betta that doesn't look so well. The water was really cold, maybe 50*F and it is laying on the bottom of the bowl. I don't want to add warm water because I don't want to kill the fish. So I put it closer to the heater and the water is warming up. It is probably 60 now. His fins look a little frayed too. I know nothing about bettas nor their health. I don't want the poor guy to die. I can't put him in my other fishtanks because I have other fish in them. So what should I do? Think it will live?

Edit: Added pics and videos

Videos: Might be sad to watch so do so at your own accord
http/video.google.com/videoplay?docid=9008776228261620987
http/video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3701154066545455463

 

[CrashingWaves]

Ok so, my dad's friend acquired a betta and two parakeets. The previous owners moved out 3 days ago and left them behind and never came back. So now I have a betta that doesn't look so well. The water was really cold, maybe 50*F and it is laying on the bottom of the bowl. I don't want to add warm water because I don't want to kill the fish. So I put it closer to the heater and the water is warming up. It is probably 60 now. His fins look a little frayed too. I know nothing about bettas nor their health. I don't want the poor guy to die. I can't put him in my other fishtanks because I have other fish in them. So what should I do? Think it will live?

I would probably say there's a good chance of him living. Though, I'm not there so I can't see the condition of the fish personally. Putting him by a heater to warm the water up is a good idea, as long as you pay attention and don't let him boil .

What is he in right now? Just a bowl? How big of a bowl?

I would suggest doing a small water change to get some fresher water in there for him. Also making sure you're giving him a good quality of food. At this time I would suggest feeding him some type of frozen (Obviously thawed first) type food...maybe brine shrimp.

 

[dollfaced]

Ok, I uploaded some pictures and videos.

The bowl is more of a triangle type thing... It is about 8 inches tall and 5 inches wide. He is laying on the bottom, I haven't seen him go anywhere near the top. Would feeding him now be good? I don't want to dirty the bowl with food he won't eat yet :\

no3: 0
no2: 0
ph: 7
kh: 150
gh: 150

 

[bettawen]

if u are worried about him going to the surface for air, u can lower the water level , and lookin at the pics i do think he could do with a water change as well, it does look a bit cloudy and murky.
good luck with him and with some tlc he should make it.

 

[modaz]

well by the look of it it looks like hes not been looked after in a while, feed him he,s prob weak from lack of food, do good water changes daily, better still tranfer him into a plastic tuperware tub thats quite shallow to give him chance to breath and keep him next to the heat source, putting in a floating plastic plants helps as he should get into it to get nearer the water surface, i had one like this once so i placed him on the filter that was 1 inch from the surface so he could breath and he recovered, he stayed there for a couple of days and let me feed him there by hand, good idea to put food directly in front of him with your hand so he an get it,

 

[CrashingWaves]

Well he doesn't look good, but I've seen betta in worse shape than that, that have recovered. So just do what has already been mentioned and be sure to keep up updated on how he's doing.

God Bless,
Joshua

 

[dollfaced]

Well he is atleast upright now, not on his side anymore and seems to swim a little. I took out some water so he can get to the surface easier and he has a bigger plant to lay on. I think he ate the bloodworms I gave him too... I'm not sure but I don't want to go moving anything around to check. At what temperature should I keep the triangle bowl? I'll keep you guys updated, thank you

 

[groupiekilla06]

Well he is atleast upright now, not on his side anymore and seems to swim a little. I took out some water so he can get to the surface easier and he has a bigger plant to lay on. I think he ate the bloodworms I gave him too... I'm not sure but I don't want to go moving anything around to check. At what temperature should I keep the triangle bowl? I'll keep you guys updated, thank you

Your tank is a 1 gallon Aquatank (my sis has one for her betta), you should keep his water between 76-80. If it gets too cold his metabolism can slow to the point where he will have difficulty digesting food. He may refuse to eat or become constipated. Good thing the poor little guy found his way to you though, it sounds like you really care about him and thats what he really needs right now. Plus good food and warmth of course

 

[GhostDogg]

Clean warm water & good quality food is what bettas thrive on.
I'd suggest placing a mirror in front of him once he get stronger.
This will help him get exercise & he'll be a stronger swimmer.
Another way you could heat the tank is to add a desk lamp over to top of the tank/bowl.

Glad to see someone looking out for bettas.

 

[CrashingWaves]

I'd suggest placing a mirror in front of him once he get stronger.

I would counter that suggestion by saying, at this early stage in his recovery I personally think that would be a mistake. Instead of it making him stronger I think more than anything it would just stress him out right now, causing the potential of him dying from it, and everything else put together.

God Bless,
Joshua

 

[dollfaced]

I didn't think he would live when I first saw him yesterday but he is still alive. He swims some now but rests on the bottom. Atleast he isn't on his side anymore. Yesterday I seen him go for air twice but now he does it more frequently. I also put the bowl under a lamp to keep the water warm. I took out some of the water and put fresh water in.

Yea I do care about him, after all he is living. I couldn't let him just die slowly.

Also, what would he prefer to eat? I have flake food and dried bloodworms. I don't want to dirty the water by experimenting.

 

[cation]

I'd suggest placing a mirror in front of him once he get stronger.

I would counter that suggestion by saying, at this early stage in his recovery I personally think that would be a mistake. Instead of it making him stronger I think more than anything it would just stress him out right now, causing the potential of him dying from it, and everything else put together.

God Bless,
Joshua

I totally agree, Joshua. Although mirror play can be an okay activity for short periods for a healthy betta, I would never recommend it for a sick fish.

As for food, Bloodworms are great, and you'll want to get some betta pellets (I like Hiroki the best) instead of the flake food. Good luck!

 

[GhostDogg]

I'd suggest placing a mirror in front of him once he get stronger.

I would counter that suggestion by saying, at this early stage in his recovery I personally think that would be a mistake. Instead of it making him stronger I think more than anything it would just stress him out right now, causing the potential of him dying from it, and everything else put together.

God Bless,
Joshua

Key words "once he gets stronger".
I agree in this condition it would be risky.

I totally agree, Joshua. Although mirror play can be an okay activity for short periods for a healthy betta, I would never recommend it for a sick fish.

As for food, Bloodworms are great, and you'll want to get some betta pellets (I like Hiroki the best) instead of the flake food. Good luck!

Mirror time in 2 minute intervals should be good enough.
Once again "once he gets stronger".
Frozen bloodworm are a good treat once in a while but I'd suggest feeding him some high in protein.
Make sure to feed him a frozen pea thawed & peeled to make sure he doesn't get constipated.

I've kept bettas nearly 20 years so I know a few tricks.

 

[fourthtimelucky]

Aw, the poor little thing! Those pictures are so sad , really glad to hear you are looking after him, fingers crossed.

 

[cation]

Frozen bloodworm are a good treat once in a while but I'd suggest feeding him some high in protein.

Bloodworms (all worms, actually) are quite high in protein.