Betta, now what's wrong!!!?
- Thread starter palmbreeze
- Start date
He is in a ten gallon aquarium, with six Rasporas, two ottos, and a small clown pleco. The tank has been established for years. The water is changed weekly. There are also live plants in the tank.
Water...
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
PH 8.4
KH 11
Water...
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
PH 8.4
KH 11
it could be severe pH shock... if these bettas are bred and grown in pH below 7.4, then they may not adjust. are you acclimating your fish to the pH, in addition to floating the bag?
i only suggest this because rasboras and plecs may be more resistant to pH 8.4 (remember, thats ten times more alkaline than 7.4). otos are generally softer water fish, but i've found them to be tough little suckers.
pH damage to fish is VERY harsh. if it throws their natural blood chemistry out of whack, the death can be pretty long and drawn out. organs become maxed until death, which may account for some swelling. an ruined swim bladder would explain the dropsy symptoms.
next time you give it a go-round, i'd check the water it comes in...
and $0.98's your change.
i only suggest this because rasboras and plecs may be more resistant to pH 8.4 (remember, thats ten times more alkaline than 7.4). otos are generally softer water fish, but i've found them to be tough little suckers.
pH damage to fish is VERY harsh. if it throws their natural blood chemistry out of whack, the death can be pretty long and drawn out. organs become maxed until death, which may account for some swelling. an ruined swim bladder would explain the dropsy symptoms.
next time you give it a go-round, i'd check the water it comes in...
and $0.98's your change.
I have had this betta for awhile now. I have two other bettas that are perfectly healthy. The water that the bettas come in from the store is pretty high in PH as well. I do adjust all my fish very well before I introduce him into the tank. He is not doing so hot today, he looks worse. I am docing Maracyn 2 and I think I'll also add some Melafix. Hopefully the two combinations will not be harmful.
TheMightyQueenPixie
Best Invention EVER!
Your point is bang on, However, I regularly import and have had no problems acclimating my fish to my 8.0 water...One thing to consider is if the LFS is importing, these fish have been through ALOT of stress in a short period of time...No telling how long they sat at an inspection site, then travelling to the LFS, where they are not properly acclimated, dumped into a tiny filthy bowl, then sold usually within a week...I suspect dammage is done long before you get the fish...It may not necessarily be the pH, but any number of problems that can relate to poor handling/acclimating and stress...indiginess said:it could be severe pH shock... if these bettas are bred and grown in pH below 7.4, then they may not adjust. are you acclimating your fish to the pH, in addition to floating the bag?
i only suggest this because rasboras and plecs may be more resistant to pH 8.4 (remember, thats ten times more alkaline than 7.4). otos are generally softer water fish, but i've found them to be tough little suckers.
pH damage to fish is VERY harsh. if it throws their natural blood chemistry out of whack, the death can be pretty long and drawn out. organs become maxed until death, which may account for some swelling. an ruined swim bladder would explain the dropsy symptoms.
next time you give it a go-round, i'd check the water it comes in...
and $0.98's your change.
If you REALLY want Bettas, do yourself a favor and hook up with a breeder...You dont have to spend a ton, infact many nice pet fish are sold for 5 bucks and I GUARANTEE they a 100 times better then anything you could get at an LFS. These breeders stake their reps. on there fish and wouldnt dare sell a sickly one... Go to www.ibcbettas.org to find a breeder close to you
I dont mean to hijack the thread so my apologies - but because the "healthy betta" issue came up... i remember reading in this forum a while back that LFS "cheap" bettas are hardier than "breeder" bettas... (i am not sure who said it... have to try and search for it...)
So what is the "final verdict"... if i wasnt looking for the most stunning betta (which i am sure only the breeder would have) - but one with good genes and hopefully a long life - where should i go ?
So what is the "final verdict"... if i wasnt looking for the most stunning betta (which i am sure only the breeder would have) - but one with good genes and hopefully a long life - where should i go ?
TheMightyQueenPixie
Best Invention EVER!
HP- the common Veiltails are tough little fish, however every fish has its limit...It seems that more and more the little veils are suffering the effects of either poor breeding practices, poor fish handling or both...
