[Ghaladhriel]

This eve spinosaurus (as my son has named him) jumped out of his bowl, luckily my son was able to grab him and put him back in the water, he was not responding until I prodded him carefully. He in turn fell to the bottom and after a bit of slow movement in my part (the water) he began to breathe again. He fell a good 5feet from his bowl and looks beat up... did lower the water to half a bowl and warmed it just a bit (currently 70-75) and it did him well because he swam to the surface and begun to blow bubbles (I assume it's normal) he's currently lying down on his side and on occasion moves a bit. also lowered the lights for him. doesn't look like he is struggling to breathe, but he does have us all on edge since we don't know just how bad the fall affected him

His bowl is about a half a gallon size, only glass stones (small) the water temp usually flows around 70 degrees F, I feed him once a week using the little food blocks (brought him home on early December and he has done well) I change his water once a week (twice if necessary) I have no plants or filters. He is a male Betta, looks pretty young (about 4" long) he has been healthy so far. all I want to know is if he will survive or if things are looking grim for him (I need to prepare my son) I will take him to the doctor if necessary.

thank you!

 

[peachesxo]

i can't tell you about the fall but feeding him once a week is not enough/does not sound normal, i don't even know what these 'food blocks' are either that you've mentioned, but he should be fed betta pellets or something 1-2 times daily, 4-5 pellets a day, and you need to be doing 100% water changes in a tank that small at least every other day, and also using a water conditioner when you do it. leaving such a small tank without changes makes ammonia build up really fast which can make him sick then kill him.
70 degrees is too cold, betta temperature should be more around 78-81 degrees.

if you can upgrade him to a bigger, heated and filtered tank his overall health should improve alot.

 

[Ghaladhriel]

The food blocks are small and once in the water they are self release I have seen worms also and will give them a try soon. since he is relative new in our house, we will upgrade his home soon. we plan on getting more bettas, but because I am just learning I will wait for a bit

 

[kfish]

Definitely agreed with peaches!

Worms are great as a treat and a supplement (bettas love variety and that extra protein is really good for them), but pellets are a better staple food. A lot of people feed both.

Definitely increase your water changes to AT LEAST every other day 100%. Make sure to add water conditioner.

Most fish seem to be fine after a fall like that. They just need time to relax. Is he looking any better yet?

 

[Ghaladhriel]

He is swimming to the surface every now and then. I have been warming his water slowly (as I mentioned it was currently 70f) and I think that has helped. what I don't know is if I should add anything else. I have read so far about stress drops and aquarium salt for injuries etc... I just want to make him comfortable (this includes keeping my son comfortable also, the less worried and stressed he is the better for the fish also)

 

[kfish]

I probably wouldn't add anything for now, especially if he's moving a bit more. Warming the water is a good idea, as long as the temperature doesn't fluctuate back down, then up, etc.

Best wishes! I think he'll be okay.

 

[peachesxo]

you need to make sure the temperature increase is done very very slowly or he can go into temp shock and die

and yeah make sure it doesnt fluctuate/go back down after that.
you need a constant temperature, so if there is no heater you shouldnt be doing anything.
(dont add hot/warm water to momentarily/shortly have it warmer, that will cause more harm than good)

 

[Ghaladhriel]

Thank you, since the accident I have read up quite a bit in here and made sure I didn't warm the water too much (I knew sudden water temp changes would kill them even when healthy)

 

[Ghaladhriel]

How long should I keep him in dim/dark light?

Should he be swimming back to normal in a few days?

He currently looks beat up (the shiny color of his is gone, and now looks dull) how many days till he gains back his normal shade? so far no broken fins I think (how do I know he has a broken/torn fin or tail?)

 

[kfish]

If he still looks dull tomorrow, keep him in the dark. If he's starting to look better, have the light on for a bit.

Hopefully he should be back to normal in a few days! It really depends if there's internal damage. I doubt it, though. We get a lot of fish jumping out stories.

You'll know if he has a torn fin. He'll show off his war wounds!

 

[Ghaladhriel]

Well, as expected (hubby did warn me) it looks like he had extensive wounds, he did not make it past 4am I checked up on him at 1am but but by 4 he was gone... thank you so much for your help... now I'm thinking how to break te news to youngest since he loved his little fish. this morning I told him he was sleeping (sending him to school crying was not a good idea) we will hold a small funeral for him, seems that might soothe him also.


On another note is there a way I can find information on bettas (not much on care, but history) I would like to print it out and read it with him. better to educate ourselves on Betta behaviour and such (I did this with my oldest who has anole lizards, great idea since we now know what to expect) thank you

 

[kfish]

Oh no! I really thought he would be okay... I'm sorry...

I found a few sites with history, but a lot of them made it really complicated.

This site is really good for simple explanations of betta care and everything else (it's the first site I devoured about bettas), and the history explanation is really cute.
http://www.bettatalk.com/betta_history.htm

Here's another one:
http://www.bettafishcenter.com/Betta-Origins.shtml

 

[HayrideHaunter]

I'm sorry to hear about your boy!

I haver a 6 year old brother...his betta passed a couple months ago...it was rough but he's alright now!

I want to thank you for being a parent that really reads up on this stuff. My parents, despite the fact that I am 19 and in college, caring for several plants and my own betta buddy (Marbles!), will not listen to my suggestions. I do plenty of research on fish and stuff, because I love my boy to death...right now my brother has a 14gal in his room with 4 guppies...its a really messy tank, and they feed the guys WAY too much, so the tank is littered with sunken flakes. They seem mostly healthy, but two have what appears to be finrot. if i were to try and suggest water changes and such theyd get angry and tell me theyre doing what the petstore employees tell them =(...

anywho scuse the ramble, there are a ton of people on here who's parents wither wont listen to them about taking care of fish, when it comes to needing rides to pick up medication or changing water or having a larger bowl. Its really refreshing and nice to see a parent who is looking things up and trying to give their pet a good life. There are a few on here...its wonderful =)

good luck with your next one! I hope your little one takes it alright!

 

[Ghaladhriel]

Thank you guys! I love our pets very much that not doing proper research is just not right for them (I did the same when we were looking towards adopting a dog) we have opted for small animals a enjoy their company very much (my research also stems from childhood, lost a lot of fish that way due to lack of info from my parents part) I educated my oldest child on anole lizards and gave him printed information plus downloaded and app that's all about lizards for him. we are very aware of their health and well being, my mistake was not doing the same with my youngest child. he couldn't believe that his fish would jump out of his bowl (had to show him the info) talking to the pet store personnel is definitely not enough :| so now when he is ready to bring a new fish home we will be better informed

 

[Ghaladhriel]

As for youngest? he is heartbroken and misses the little guy badly. I am thankful for bumping into this site we will create a memorial for him later tonight (he picked the pics already) hopefully that will help him feel better (actually it did, he realized he is not the only one who has lost their friend). Again thank you so much for your support, it's apreciated

 

[Marona]

Maybe set up the tank first before you get the next betta. That way they only have to acclimate to one new tank when you get them home. If you get a 10gal you have room to add more common fish. I dunno about you but I think the most fun for me so far has been planning my tank set up!

 

[HayrideHaunter]

As for youngest? he is heartbroken and misses the little guy badly. I am thankful for bumping into this site we will create a memorial for him later tonight (he picked the pics already) hopefully that will help him feel better (actually it did, he realized he is not the only one who has lost their friend). Again thank you so much for your support, it's apreciated

thats good, that this helps him =)

you tell your little one he's not alone. my brother is only six. He has the 14gal because his boy, Bubbles, passed a couple months ago. He was very upset, but he is alright now. Your little one isnt alone a bit =)

 

[BettasForever]

This happened to my Comet and he fell on the freezing tile floor D: He had no problems though, and I've had him for a month.

 

[BlackberryBetta]

Ok first of all, take him off the feeding blocks. Only give those when you are on vacation. Give him real food like flakes, pellets or worms.

 

[HayrideHaunter]

Ok first of all, take him off the feeding blocks. Only give those when you are on vacation. Give him real food like flakes, pellets or worms.

Hey Blackberry? Read the rest of the thread...her betta passed =(