Thanks, Tori...
Hallyx...basically some of my mollies and guppies have recently died; not all old. I have a lot of tanks, too many mollies due to breeding like cockroaches(only prettier!)...I've had to put some of the seemingly healthy youths in w/ my bettas, including my Thai bettas that I just got! Seeing this thread and Wystearia's thread has given me the paranoia big time. So because some mollies have died that at one time resided with the mollies that now live w/ my very expensive fish...ok, I know I'm freaking out! LOL....
The extra water changes will do me good!)
I have experienced the same problem like yours (yes, one of my betta has died two months ago). A healthy betta can be suddenly dies if he/she can't digest the overload of foods properly.
Maybe your betta is constipated..He may looked sick and pale in color and always at the bottom in few hours after the feeding. Some bettas can just digest the food very slowly.
Just to be safe, I only feed my bettas very small amount only once per day (no more that that). Sometimes I don't even feed it in 1-2 days the fish is still healthy (don't worry the fish won't get starved, it needs time to digest). After that, I do not see any of my fish has died in this situation. (And pls correct me if I am wrong).
I agree bettanova2. Whether it was over feeding that killed him or not, in my opinion feeding 3 times a day is excessive. A fishes stomach is roughly the same size as it's eye. I feed my bettas 2 pellets once a day and fast them 1-2 times a week. This allows them to digest and pass everything. The only fish that do not need fasting are fry and juveniles.
Good catch Mumma and BettaNova2...I didn't even notice the 3x per day feeding!
Guess I was being too paranoid about my bettas...
Sorry, I agree w/ them...that is too much...
Despite my worries, all my bettas are fine, swimming, learning English...I feed them no more than 3 New Life pellets for betta 2x per day, alternating w/ frozen bloodworms or mysis or brine shrimp about 3 feedings per week, and I have 1 skip day a week. Really, it is recommended to have a skip day per week to help clear them out a bit.
I've thought long and hard about the feeding question. Understand that this was a two-inch long juvenile (nose to peduncle...as big as some Aquabid giants), and underweight, to my eyes. Took him a week to get eating comfortably out of my hand; another week to work up to 9 pellets/day, and he was pooping tons. I changed his water nearly every day
I've had other fish get constipated. Fasting for a few days, slowly introducing small quantities of food (with a little garlic juice). Less than a week and they were fine. None of them went from displaying minor symptoms to terminal in less than ten hours.
I'm sorry if my tone sounds defensive. I had just begun to accept him as my pet and started to think of names. I'm really angry at myself for not responding quicker and more effectively. Sigh...
I agree bettanova2. Whether it was over feeding that killed him or not, in my opinion feeding 3 times a day is excessive. A fishes stomach is roughly the same size as it's eye. I feed my bettas 2 pellets once a day and fast them 1-2 times a week. This allows them to digest and pass everything. The only fish that do not need fasting are fry and juveniles.
Btw I'm sorry for your loss.
Yeah..I also think that betta's stomach is extremely small just like its eyes.
I feel like I keep changing my mind depending on who is speaking...kind of like a politician!
Hallyx, you have a lot of experience, you know what to look for, and how to care for fish. You reminded me of something very important: every fish, especially bettas, are different! If you're experienced, and take it slow, like you have appeared to, you can attune yourself to the individual fishes needs. Also, until you pointed it out, I forgot that you mentioned he was BIG....
So, I am sorry I doubted your skills and I am sorry you lost him.
Thanks, Tiki, I always use conditioner, even with my pure sweet well-water. Something about keeping the heavy metals attenuated. Is that correct?
Conditioner takes out heavy metals, cholorine and some remove ammonia and nitrates. I killed my 1st few fish by not using conditioner and by not changing the water/not knowing about the nitrogen cycle. never listen to the idiots working at petstores We all have to start somewhere and we learn from our mistakes.
Check out the eBook Betta Fish Care Made Easy
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We all have to start somewhere and we learn from our mistakes.
