Like many on here I got a betta as a white elephant gift, and like many others I had one as a kid in those tiny plant vases with no heater, no filter, etc. that lived for years. This rose petal male came in a cup with this tiny one gallon tank, light, filter, and decor, and the next morning I set it up with Top Fin preconditioned betta water and a heater that had it at 77-78°F. I wanted to get it out of that tiny cup ASAP, and I’m wondering if that was the wrong move. Luckily I had an empty 20 gallon tank already and I had been preparing it to move the fish into that permanently, but the betta died before I finished the set up and I don’t know why. Obviously I didn’t have advance notice that I was about to have a fish, but I was excited about it and was constantly watching educational YouTube videos and reading up on what I needed to do to make sure this little guy thrived. The water tests, beneficial bacteria, and all this other stuff I ordered didn’t even have time to arrive in the mail because he only lived 7 days.
I’m going to finish the tank anyway and try again, but I’m scared the same thing will happen and that I killed this fish with a rookie mistake. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
His name was Fireball.
https://i.redd.it/lqvik0iua9ag1.jpeg
Posted by Unable_Turnip0
3 Comments
Ahh that’s sad , I’m not the one to tell you why this possibly happened but just remember regardless wether it was gonna happen anyway or if it was just a mistake you had the best intentions for the fish and showed it love. 🪦
Sometimes the fish either have terrible genetics or had a rough time prior to your care. Don’t beat yourself up over it.
For the future, I recommend getting a sponge filter and cycling that tank using the beneficial bacteria. You will also want to get some real plants. Once it is cycled, it will be safe to buy a new betta.
i’m sure it had something to do with the water parameters, neither tank was safe for the fish