helping a betta in distress

[riverra]

I picked up this little guy from my local pet shop four days ago - a Crowntail Betta with fin rot and what looked like a case of ick on his head. I just had to bring him home, so I did, and named him Syd.

I set him up in a 1-gallon cylinder jar with some gravel, almond leaves, a fake plant, floating Hornwort, and a hiding ornament. I've been keeping the water temp between 80-85 degrees to help clear up that ick. Daily water changes have been a must.

At first, Syd was pretty out of it - just hiding or stuck in one spot. I didn't feed him the first day since I had no idea how much he'd eaten before I got him. On the second day, he was just lying at the bottom of the jar, so I dropped in some Betta flakes to get his attention. He found a few and ate them. Day three, he made it to the top for a few flakes and a pellet, but he was still really lethargic - just sleeping all day.

But this morning, day four, he's a different fish. He was swimming around like crazy, so I fed him a couple of pellets and he devoured them. Now he's exploring his jar, doing his "happy dance" in front of me, and even played the "follow my finger" game. The white dot on his head looks like it's coming off too. I'm not sure if his fins will ever grow back, but at least he's on the mend. Once he's fully recovered, I'm upgrading him to a bigger tank.

[coltin]

You're going to end up like me, I just know it - a fish-obsessed crazy person. We've got MTS (multiple tank syndrome) and I'm convinced we're starting to speak our own fishy language. Trust me, you don't want to go down this path. For the sake of your sanity, take a break from buying fish.

[riverra]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who's hooked on these little guys. My other two, Phil and Miles, are a blast - always playful and healthy, and they know me as the "food guy". I love 'em, and I do my best to take care of them. Each one's got its own little personality, it's amazing.

Three's my limit, though - I don't think I could handle any more.

[coltin]

ROFLMAO

You're calling it quits at three? I've got a feeling that's not gonna last. I'm giving you two months tops before you're welcoming some new finned friends to the family.

[riverra]

I'm serious, no more fish for me until next spring or summer. Winter's coming and it's a nightmare transporting them in -30c temperatures. I don't want to put any fish through that. Even Syd's water was freezing when I brought him home. He's adjusting to a proper day/night schedule now, which is great. The pet shop had those bright lights on for 12 hours a day, but now he's on my schedule.

My three guys are really low maintenance, and seeing the results of good care is so rewarding. I've got the time to care for them, and it gives me something to focus on.

[florabug]

I'm basically telling you, you're heading down a slippery slope. I've got MTS, I speak fluent fish, and honestly, I'm not sure I'm sane anymore. I'm trying to warn you, don't end up like me, I'm a fish-obsessed mess.

[Fablet]

I'm basically telling you, you're heading down a slippery slope. I've got MTS, I speak fluent fish, and honestly, I'm not sure I'm sane anymore. I'm trying to warn you, don't end up like me, I'm a fish-obsessed mess.

You're gonna end up like me, with a huge tank taking over your room.

[coltin]

I just transformed my spare room into a fish sanctuary and ended up crashing in there too.

[riverra]

I just built a fish sanctuary and I'm basically living in it.

[goldminer]

I'm a bachelor, so my fish are my roommates. Guess I'll just have to settle for their quiet company.