Please Help, Please Please

[HelpOscar]

Ok, my betta fish oscar, he got stuck in this fake skulls eyeball and I called my sis, she came over and I kept giving oscar air while I waited... She and her friend came and her friend grabbed the vaseline and we got him out. His fins are sort of torn and so is some of the skin around where he was stuck. He isnt moving alot anymore and just sinks to the bottom of the breeder container I put him in, laying down horizontally and he only moves if he needs to get some air! I HAVE NO IDEA WHATS GOING ON. I change the water every week, He isnt eating, he is just laying there and I feel so bad for him and wish I could help. The pH levels are high but not extremely high, maybe a little above average, same with the hardness, Nitrate and Nitrite are fine, this is my first fish and I really dont want to wake up and see him dead.

 

[Lynda B]

I'm sure that was very traumatic for him..... when did this happen? And how did you treat him, i.e., aquarium salt, Bettafix Remedy.... anything?

 

[llamalord305]

Its not bad with the fins, at least its ripping, not bacteria infecting. I really dont know about the body though...

 

[HelpOscar]

I'm sure that was very traumatic for him..... when did this happen? And how did you treat him, i.e., aquarium salt, Bettafix Remedy.... anything?

I dont have that stuff, like the salt or remedy, I really dont have access to a car or bike or anything or money and this just happened yesterday, but my sis just called and said she was going to get some stress coat and I hope that works because I love this fish.

 

[-germ-]

You want him to be stressed as little as possible, so;

Keep the tank lights off to help him relax a little.
Ensure the water is nice and clean but don't stress him too much if you perform a water change.
Keep the filter on its lowest setting, but don't turn it off completely.

Try getting your sister to buy some melafix, if you keep the tank perfect (as free from waste and toxins as possible) and perform a half treatment with melafix then you are doing the best you can for him.
Next...
Did any vaseline get on the fish?

 

[HelpOscar]

Germ, what you just said was everything I did wrong, I left the light on, left the filter on, yes the vaseline got on him but I didnt do it and my sister is always at work... and I changed the water when he was in there.... GOD I HATE MYSELF.
I wish I could have asked YOU sooner, He is dead and it was a very painfull one and I cant stop crying. Thanks for trying to help but hes gone. And he didnt even live up to a year old. God damnit he didnt do anything to anybody!

 

[-germ-]

Mate, honestly, it isn't your fault....
The fact is you kept your Betta in the best condition you could and had the good sense and the compassion to come on a site like this, there is countless people out there (they sometimes come on here to be honest) who couldn't care less about fish, just their own pleasure.
I'm really sorry your fish died, honestly.
But i get the vibe from your post that to an extent you blame yourself.... Don't.
Nearly every fishkeeper has something similar happen to them either due to their own lack of knowledge or due to stupidity. You are up there with the responsible ones not the stupid ones, trust me. You deserve plenty respect for trying to help him to the best of your abilities.
Again i'm really sorry that he died.

 

[HelpOscar]

Thanks for your support, it really helped alot. I just dont know if I should get another fish... I mean their lifespan is soooo short. And goldfish might live up to 20-30 years if they are really heathly but they also get really big and all I got is a 10 gallon tank. Im going to go bury oscar soon, and once again thank you for that support.

 

[mommyof2bettas]

I'm soooo sorry for your fish Don't blame yourself, I'm sure you did all you could.
Here's a list of fish life spans... don't know if it could help
http/www.fishforums.net/How-Long-Should-...de-t193075.html

 

[Volleyball_BettaGirl05]

Hey.Poor Oscar. Do you think he will be ok? I hope so. Maybe he's just resting and he will be better in a few days! I think he will be fine ...! Well talk to you later! See ya!

 

[knt5005]

Sorry about your loss, Hun. Don't let the passing of one fishy friend keep you from enjoying another! It may just take some time. And though you are sad now, think how happy you can be if you rescue a betta from the lfs. The decision is yours, of course. Cheer up. *Hug*

 

[branjie]

I'm afraid after he got stuck, he really wasn't going to make it. Don't feel bad about leaving the light on or changing the water. The outcome would have been the same no matter what. It was just a freak accident. I have a castle in my tank, and some of the fish swim through the windows, when really there isn't much room to spare. My Betta stresses me out by choosing to snuggle up to the filter, with his fins flowing into the inlet. It luckily hasn't done him any harm, but I'm sure there are things in everyone's tank that a fish could get snagged on. He's at peace now. You're not a bad fish owner. Hopefully you'll have another one when you're ready.

 

[alessasavoca]

Sorry for your loss I bet he was the happiest fish ever with you and you gave him a good life. Don't blame yourself, you couldn't have done anymore than you did

 

[bubblesburst80]

Sorry for your loss, like everyone else here i can see it wasnt your fault, hopefully you'll feel up to having another fish as they can be a great joy, you did better for your fish than most ever do - you kept a betta in a 10g!
He will have beeen greatful for what you gave him, even if it was only for a short while

xXX

 

[HelpOscar]

Thanks you guys... If I do in fact get any other fish(s), one would have to be the striped Raphael catfish because of their long life. And they can grow up to be 9 inches? thats what wikipedia says, but would he be cramped in my ten gallon? I know the whole "1 gallon per 1 inch of fish" rule but would it be enough? or a Senegal (Cuvier's) Bichir... And thank you for the support everyone, it helped. Alot. Its bad waking up and not seeing someone you love excited to see you.