Okay, first things first. I am usually not the kind of person that adopts animals all willy nilly without knowing anything about caring for it. However, this fish was clearly being abused, even I knew that and like the title says, I don't know anything about fish. The water was almost brown from algae and it's own waste and the glass was so green you could barely see the fish moving. So yes, I took it without knowing anything about caring for a fish. Hate on me all that you want but at least I know I need the change the water, which is more than it's previous owner.
I will do my own research. I am already doing my own research. But I can't become an expert in one weekend. Please teach me the things you think I need to know, so I can keep this fish alive while I am reading up on being a fish mom. I personally think it has tail rot, because his tail is really frayed. I added a picture. Could someone please tell me if that is true and what I need to give my fish to help him.
If you see the picture and think his tank is empty, it's because it is. I tried going to a shop for some hiding places and plants, but by the time I got there they were closed, so I will get those tomorrow, just like a filter for my tank and a heater for my water. Maybe I'll buy a whole new tank all together, because I think this one is too small to keep a Betta fish. It's 15 liters, and I read that it needs at least 30 liters.
If you want to hate, be my guest, but please add some information while you are at it. I can take the hate, but I can't take this little fella dying on me. Anyway meet Sushi.
https://i.redd.it/fve5q6bmm3xf1.jpeg
Posted by AmbivertGirl03
3 Comments
https://preview.redd.it/dud6xy1mo3xf1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=aecc48c1e7b95346b6d50fd37482266d30926d7e
Here’s some quick points
Test kit – ideally liquid, strips will work if you’re on a budget. You want to test for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and pH as a minimum. Ammonia and nitrites are toxic to fish. “API Master test kit” is the go-to in the hobby.
Bettas need to reach the surface to breath oxygen. Give him resting spots to make is life easier. Google “Betta log” and “Betta hammock” for ideas. Plants like anubias are great because of their big leaves.
Bettas don’t typically like a lot of water movement so don’t get a filter too strong HOWEVER they are little weirdos and both of mine like to swim through the outflow 😂
Look up “fish-in cycling”. You need beneficial bacteria in the tank to help process fish waste.. ammonia gets turned into nitrite. Nitrite into nitrate. Nitrate is controlled by water changes. You’ll be doing daily water changes until ammonia reads zero, nitrite zero,nitrate approx 10-20ppm.
You can buy beneficial bacteria to help your cycle. Also buy water conditioner as tap water has a lot of things that are bad for fish.
Plants are your friend. Definitely get an anubias, and some sort of floating plant like Amazon frogbit or water lettuce. Provides shelter for Sushi and will help with your tank parameters. If you get decor avoid anything sharp because he’ll catch his fins.
As for fin rot.. erythromycin is the go-to for treatment. Some people have used aquarium salt but I’m not familiar with that.
Alright boss, I’m proud of you for adopting Sushi.
There’s a few things you should take care of real quick like. Look up “fish in cycle”. You’ll need the API Fresh Water Test Kit to monitor ammonia/nitrate/nitrite levels, so ol’ boi doesn’t get poisoned as the tank is cycling. Perform water changes as needed (probably daily, but I dunno). If you haven’t gotten a dechlorinator, definitely get one to remove the chlorine from your water. It can burn fish gills and whatnot.
15L is a bit on the small side. ~19L is the minimum recommended size, but Sushi will be just fine in there. You could get a larger tank and cycle it while keeping Sushi in this tank as a “hospital” tank while you treat his fin rot (I’d Google treatment for that too). For a hospital tank, you can lower the water level a bit, so lil homie can get air more easily. Pick up some aquarium salt and add some tannins to help Sushi heal faster. A floating betta log and leaf hammock can give him something close to the waterline to rest on. I’d def get a heater (ideally adjustable) and a filter as well. The filter will store beneficial bacteria as the tank cycles.
Plants and substrate (like sand/gravel/whatever) are going to be your friend in whichever tank are putting Sushi in long term. They’ll help store beneficial bacteria as well. I’ve had fairly decent luck with Buceplant, but r/aquaswap is a good place to get plants too (it’s more US centric, and I suspect you’re from Europe due to using liters). Local marketplaces like Craigslist or Facebook could have some plants too, if you don’t get plants from a local aquarium store. Snails and shrimp (if Sushi plays nicely with them) can help keep the long term tank nice and clean too. You’ll want a light. They make some with adjustable brightness and adjustable preset light cycle lengths. An outlet timer from a hardware store can serve to set the light cycle, if you don’t have or don’t want the preset options.
Sushi is in much better hands now, so I’m sure he’ll make a good recovery. Post an update in the future when he’s back at full health. Have fun!