Please Help! Detailed History!

[Sakura8]

I'm so sorry, mattyp. :( So very sorry you lost him. Please don't give up on fish. If you want to get another betta, everyone here is more than happy to help you get it all set up.

From the sounds of it, Marty may have had some ammonia/chemical poisoning and possibly a bacterial infection. There may not have been anything you could have done but he passed away knowing someone loved him very much and I know he's grateful to you.

10g tank = 25-35% a week, gravel siphoning. 50% if it isn't cycled yet.

[mattyp12]

Thanks a lot for all your kind words and help. I got these fish in an effort to save them from a department store I work at because they looked sad in their tiny plastic bowls. Now I end up distraught months later after becoming so attached to the little guys. I'm surprised at how upset I am, but at least I know I'm not the mean person some claim me to be. lol. I will definitely have everything set up properly for the next ones that I save.

[Sakura8]

Oh no, you're not mean. :) It's a learning process. Some of us learn before we jump in because we planned to get the fish and some of us learn as we go because we rescued the fish or got them as gifts or something like that. And actually, even those of us who thought we learned beforehand are still learning as we go. :)

And I understand, these little guys develop such personalities. It's hard not to get attached to them.

[PixelatedPaint]

My condolescences, it is so difficult to lose a fish. They become part of the family honestly.

For future ref:

It would be best to cycle but not necessary. The fish itself will cycle it (This would prove stressful) in a larger tank where you dont do 100 percent changes. I usually take some gravel or media from my established healthy tanks and put it in a pantyhose bag...i know it sounds funny but they work. I put this in the filter if possible or in the tank. But sometimes there is no way to cycle when you rescue. Just ensure you treat the water...i would use dechlor if you aren't certain about the water there. Mine is fine but your may not be. I would also check OH. Bettas prefer it on the lower end. if it gets too high it can cause them some distress.