Thanks for everyones' suggestions & advice.Chipper died about 2PM this afternoon & will be buried in with my new mini rose bush.
I will miss him terribly.
(PS.........No water params available as I have no test kits. I've always changed all my bettas about every 3 - 4 days. Since Chipper went into the betta keeper, he was changed every day, with pretreated water that sits 'til at room temp. 2 1/2g tanks stay at an almost constant 72º.
Chipper came home with me on April 8th, '06, from Walmart.)
