I want to preface that I’ve had Betta for 30 odd years and never had anything like this happen to any of my betta fish.

I’ve had this beautiful boy for a week and a day. He was one I waited a month to be posted online and then bought him, waited another week before he finally arrived.

My tank is 6.8 g shallow, weekly water changes, and water parameters are Ammonia 0ppm, Nitrite 0ppm, Nitrate 15ppm, Kh 71.6ppm (4drops per 5ml), Gh 214.8ppm (12 drops per 5ml) Ph 7.5, TDR 389, and temp is at 79°.

Betta shares tank with Pygmy Cory and Neocaridina Shrimp.

Three days ago while doing a water change my betta jumped out of the tank, somehow I didn’t notice until I’d finished, then realized that I couldn’t see him, and found him near the back corner of the tank. He was still alive, but tacky/sticky and he had somehow broken his left fin in half.

I put him back in his tank and turned the lights off, added a few drops of SeaChem Stress. He was gasping and fairly still but swimming a little. He seemed to be doing better the next morning but still in rough shape. The next day, I found him again, behind his tank on the floor. I thought he was dead because he was dry, crescent shaped and his eyes looked foggy. But when I picked him up he flicked his tail. I put him back in the tank, and he was swimming but definitely struggled. He pretty much laid down on the sand and didn’t move unless disturbed.

He just looks horrible now. His tail and fins essentially dried up and melted off. I’m worried he was just oxygen deprived and won’t recover, but I know fins can eventually grow back. He doesn’t seem like he’s in pain so much but maybe that’s just me hoping? Idk what to do. I don’t want to give up on him but I don’t want him to suffer needlessly. And selfishly I spent a lot of money on this fish and I’ve only had him a freaking week and I’m annoyed and upset.

https://www.reddit.com/gallery/1suyaf8

Posted by Chippy4627

3 Comments

  1. Please put a cover on your tank… I’m shocked that you don’t have one after owning beta for 30 years. They jump. 🙁

  2. I wouldn’t euthanize. You have an extremely solid setup, and betta are very hardy. I’ve seen betta come back from wayyyyy worse than this.

  3. SailorsInYourMouth on

    This wasn’t your fault. And if you don’t think he’s suffering then I would let him hang out a while longer. You’re as experienced as anyone else here. Trust your instincts and do what you think is best. I would do all of the things that you think he might need like treat for fin rot, frequent water changes, keeping his tank darker than you normally would, making sure no tank mates harass him, etc. Good luck to you both

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