About 3 weeks ago, my mother surprised me with a betta fish. She purchased a 3 gallon tank with a filter, gravel substrate, plus some leaf hammocks, and a ceramic skull decoration. She helped me set up the tank according to the directions. Later, I did some research on betta care, and I realized there is a lot more to it than the instructions lead you to believe, and the tank is rather small. However, I can’t really do anything about it, since I’m currently on sickness leave from work, and can’t afford a new tank or anything too fancy.
So, I tried to just give him the best care I could with what I have. I got him a plant and some beneficial bacteria, plus some test strips. Things seemed okay for a week or so, until the plant started to melt past the point of saving it. I removed it and did a 25% water change. I didn’t replace the plant immediately, since all the other plants at the pet store looked just as unhealthy. I’m not sure if it was due to the lack of plants, or maybe from the first plant rotting in the tank, but his water quality quickly began to suffer after I removed the plant.
His ammonia levels started to rise, and I noticed a bit of damage to his tail. I’m still unsure if it is fin rot, or stress from poor water quality. I added some more of the bacteria, and the ammonia leveled out. Whew.
But then a day or two later, I realized his alkalinity was very low. So I hunted down a fish store, and bought 2 healthy looking plants and some alkaline buffer, which I added slowly over a couple days until it was back to a good level. I also got a snail to help deal with waste and fertilize the plants, per the advice of the shop owner.
That was a few days ago. His tail damage is slowly getting more prominent, and his nitrite levels are now rising. He is clearly stressed, rubbing on decor, and less active. His colour also seems more dull, but it’s hard to tell for sure.
I’m concerned that maybe his decor is not safe for him. He has a ceramic skull decoration that has a porous texture, sort of like lava rock. I’m worried it may be too rough for his fins. He has also been wiggling through the stems of his leaf hammock. Any insight as to the safety of these items would be super appreciated.
I fear the nitrite levels may soon be very dangerous for him. I’ve been doing 25% water changes each day, but it’s not helping. What can I do to fix this without shocking him, or throwing off other levels? In such a small tank, it seems that keeping everything regulated is going to be quite a challenge. Any advice would be very very appreciated.
My mother thought a fish would be a nice relaxing hobby to enjoy while I recover from my health stuff, but so far I’m pretty stressed. I just want the little guy to have the best quality of life he can with what I’ve got. I feel super out of my depth (ha ha) with water testing and tank cycling and all these little things that my tiny little fish is sensitive to. Please help!
