What did I do wrong?! My Betta died unexpectedly :(

[Karalyn219]

I bought my first male Betta yesterday afternoon, along with a Betta starting kit and everything else I would need to care for him. I did everything the instructions in the starter kit said, including measuring the water, conditioning it, etc.

I woke up this morning and he was dead :( I'm not sure what I could have done wrong, as I fed him the proper amount of pellets, used room temperature tap water, and put the correct amount of water conditioner in. Maybe he was just sick when I got him? I hope someone can help me debunk the mystery. Thanks!

[dramaqueen]

Hello and welcome to FishForum. I'm so sorry about your betta. I don't think it was anything you did wrong. He was probably sick when you got him.

[Karalyn219]

Do the fish they sell at Petsmart/Petco tend to be more 'faulty' than those would be at a specialty store? My sister had the same problem with one, yet she had another from Petco that lasted quite a bit of time.

It was just really disappointing, he was so cute and I was so excited to have a new companion now I'm hesitant as to if I should get a new guy.

[dramaqueen]

I haven't had any problems with the ones at my Petsmart. Sometimes a petstore can get a bad shipment. I think you should get another one. Maybe try a different petstore.

[Karalyn219]

I think I'll try it out again...also another question: I know a few people who DO NOT have water heaters for their Bettas, but I've been told (and I also read) that they do need the heaters to maintain the perfect temperature. I have a small little tank, maybe about 1 liter, or maybe a little over. Would you suggest getting a heater?

[dramaqueen]

I have heaters in my larger tanks. My gallon containers don't have heaters. I keep mine in a warm room upstairs. It really is best for them to have heaters, especially if you live somewhere that gets pretty cold in winter. I don't know about putting a heater in a gallon. If you could upgrade to at least 2 gallons then you would be fine with a 25 watt heater.

[Vikki81207]

I'm so sorry about your fish. Like drama said, if you have a smaller home for your betta, if you just keep him in the warmest room he will be fine. I've had no problem with Petsmart. I would just try another store. Sometimes pet stores just get bad shipments.

[Karalyn219]

Thanks for all the information drama, hopefully my next fish will at least make it through the night.

Vikki: I got my fish at Petsmart, they weren't very helpful, granted every store is different! They did have everything I needed though, including a wide variety of Bettas, tanks, food, etc. After hearing that stores can get bad shipments I think I'll try Petco tonight. Hopefully it will work out better! I wish I could buy all the Bettas, I hate seeing them in those little tiny cramped cups :(

[RoseyD]

Ah Karalyn, join the club - that's why I bought 7 girls last month in one weekend, and how I bought 6 others last weekend. Your heart goes out seeing creatures suffer.

I bought my first batch from petsmart, and 5 out of the 7 survived and are thriving. My second batch came from Petco. The prices seemed a bit 'higher' at petco, but the branch I went to had a sign up that 'recommends' keeping bettas in 10 gallons. I love that they had that on their display even if the cups were their method of sales...

But at least they bag up the bettas - and don't sell them in the cups - it makes it more telling to the customers that the bettas shouldn't live in cups if they don't come as part of the purchase.

[dr2b]

I found I have had good luck with Petsmart bettas. I had a Petco betta that died in less than a week recently. I am so sorry to hear your lil guy didn't last to long - it's so easy to get attached to them so fast.