Hi guys, I am hoping somebody could help explain to me what happened. I came home today to my beta fish Morty, passed away, and I am so incredibly heartbroken. I bought him about five months ago and before I purchased him, I did so much research I cycled his tank. I did everything right that I found on this group. Three days ago I did a water change. I did the exact same thing I do every week. Make sure the temperature stay the same did a 25% water change added prime stability and prime water conditioner right away. I noticed a change in him. He was swimming around a lot less kind of hanging out near the bottom and I checked the parameters and everything looked normal, but that happened over the past two days as well this morning before I left for work I finally got him to eat a little bit, but he was obviously very sick as he sadly passed away. I’m so sad. I feel like I let him down, even though I tried to do everything right and it breaks my heart that this could’ve been my fault. I am going to include a picture of his tank and the water parameters that I just tested to see if anyone might have an idea I’m definitely not ready to get another fish anytime soon, but if I do it in the future, I wanna make sure this never happens again thanks so much
https://www.reddit.com/gallery/1qzuoxd
Posted by Wide_Swimmer1585
9 Comments
Your PH is off the charts, did you do a high range test? Never seen that
Take the paper that came with the kit that has the barcode on it and use the blank side of that as a white background. Take your pictures with that behind each one, making sure that your light source shines through the tube. This should result in a consistent, lighter color against the paper that you can then reference the chart to.
https://preview.redd.it/zm1ykfd4heig1.jpeg?width=3768&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d9d7f6f55f5be73b87a3ab4d7946ef3723c76dd7
The container used to fill the tank with water. Did you happen to wash it or it otherwise come in contact with a chemical of some sort? Any of those spray aerosols in use in the room? Even something as simple as a lotion / soap on the hands can be overlooked.
Just here to say you’re not alone, and the similarities to my situation are striking. I got my boy (Cherry) in August, he looked exactly like yours. I did everything the same, no changes at all, and he died suddenly this week. He was lethargic in the morning and dead by the evening. His water tested normal, ph was a bit high but not different than it usually is. I have no clue what happened. I’m so sad, I’m sorry you’re dealing with this too ❤️
I had a betta pass for unknown reasons back in December. He just stopped eating and one morning I woke up he was dead.
Although in my situation it was likely due to me nuking the cycle by adding unconditioned water directly back into the tank. At that time I also used tap water.
From that point I’ve just decided not to keep bettas. I currently keep 20 celestial pearl danios and 10 harlequin rasboras.
Your water looks good and the tank was much better set up than mine. I had plastic plants. Sometimes it will just be impossible to dial in where you went wrong and it could just be natural life cycle.
Best of luck with future fish and if you decide to try different species, highly recommend both harlequins and celestial danios. They have been great for me so far
I’m looking at what you have done here, and babes, you have gone above and beyond. You are an amazingly compassionate person. It hurts, but there are so many things beyond our control with water. I’m middle-aged, and have been keeping fish since I was eight. I still cry when they die. But take pride in the life you gave him. You’ve done way way waaaaaaaay more than average. Keep caring and keep trying because the world needs more people like you.
I’m really sorry that happened. Never easy. Tbh, modern betta genetics are absolutely horrible. The conditions they’re raised in are horrible. And the travel they undergo from Thailand or Indonesia to the US or Europe are also horrible.
I highly recommend spending more and finding a breeder in your country who’s focused on longevity and health.
That sucks im sorry, that tank looks awesome for him too, tbh from the newer photos of your pH i dont think thats what killed him
I’m sorry for your loss. I too lost one betta quite suddenly several months ago and was unable to do anything to help him or figure out what caused his untimely demise (had put him in my tropical community tank with only gentle peaceful tankmates – tested water came back with no issues, and he was the only casualty, all other fish were fine). I was devastated and ended up taking a lengthy haitus from keeping bettas (kept other fish in the meantime).
Sometimes you can do everything right and a betta can still go downhill – they’re very inbred these days so sometimes you get one with hidden internal issues or some other unexpected underlying condition(s) that can cause them to deteriorate out of the blue.
Now I have a new betta and he’s the sweetest ever. Best community tank betta.
Take the time you need, maybe consider other fish or shrimp in the meantime so your tank can continue running.. change up the layout of the plants and/or decor so it looks like a completely new/different tank.