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Betta Fish

Betta Fish: Betta disappeared over night

To get everything out of the way:

– No other pets

– No tank mates

– I’ve checked the filter inside and out

– I took decor out and sifted through all of the sand

– Ive checked every single cranny of said decor

– Everything was at least an inch away from the glass to avoid him getting stuck

– Lid and there is not a single gap

I fed him last night, brine shrimp. I woke up this morning and thought it was odd he wasn’t awake first but didn’t assume the worst, I tapped the lid which usually has him running to the surface for breakfast. He didn’t come up.

I checked everything I could without actually going in with my hands and waited an hour to be sure before I took 80% of the water out and decor which I checked thoroughly.

I did a 30% water change yesterday, I used dechlorinator. I added some more tannins as I hadn’t for 2 weeks or so, using tea bags so I know it was gradual.

The tank was cycled for 8 weeks before I got him and he’s been in there for 2 months. He looked amazing, was getting beautiful coloration back, no sign of decline when I checked him over during dinner yesterday.

Water parameters

AM : 0.0 ppm

Ni : 0.0 ppm

Na : 0.0 ppm

pH : 7

What else is there to do? This has happened twice and I’m so frustrated.

https://www.reddit.com/gallery/1sa6stt

Posted by K_nowbody_

15 Comments

  2. PuzzleheadedHabit913 on

    Is it possible he crammed his way inside any holes in the drift wood?

  3. Chailyte on

    If he isn’t on the ground, and you’ve checked everything he probably died and rotted.

  4. zoeyelizabeth6 on

    Hate to say it but did you check the floor or any spots on the furniture/stand under and around your tank? Even the smallest holes sometimes they can jump out of. . . If you’ve drained the water and checked the inside thoroughly then he’s probably not in there. He wouldn’t have rotten in a night with no other tank mates. Check around 🙁 I’m sorry for your loss

  6. derf_vader on

    I had a betta die and be completely consumed by shrimp in a day. All that was left was his white skeleton.

  7. Ok_Substance_1348 on

    I know that you said you have no pets or tank mates, but seeing as you have real plants, are you positive you do not have any bladder snails or ramshorns? I had a whole shoal of pygmy corydoras die on me and I only saw two bodies in my tank with ramshorns, and I watch my tank throughout the day pretty darn frequently.

  9. PatchesDaHyena on

    Do you use a gravel vacuum for water changes? Where did you dispose of the water?

  10. carbonic_render on

    I had an imbellis go missing entirely from this exact tank from the looks of the mechanics. I can only assume he got into the filter somehow (maybe through the skimmer?) because I never did find him. It was only a few hours from when I last saw him that I was tearing the tank apart and the only other things in there were a few small bladder snails. I guess if it was, well, small pieces, the bladders might have had a swift meal. I scrapped the tank after that 🙁

  11. OceanClover3 on

    I had a betta named Penny jump out of his tank when I was in high school. I did a water change and left a gap when putting the lid back on. I got home from school and Penny was completely dry on the floor. I threw him right back in the tank as fast as I could and he lived another 2 years. I hope you find your buddy 🫶

  12. huffliest_puff on

    I see that you said this is the second time this has happened. I hate to even suggest this, but do you live with anyone that you think could be taking your fish?

  13. nocturnalelite on

    I’m so sorry this happened. Clearly you guys had a good relationship and I don’t even want to begin to think about how I’ll feel when mine goes.

    You mentioned a lid, so I’m assuming there isn’t any great spots for the betta to jump out. Based on the photos they look rather happy and healthy. I’m newish to the hobby, so I’m not sure if I can pick out what could have happened other than what you’ve probably already considered. My best guess is a jump out situation. Maybe it somehow jumped and pushed the lid up and ended up who knows where.

    I hope you find out because it would make things all the worse for me imo if I didn’t know what happened to my baby.

  14. UrLocalMushroomGirl on

    I’ve have a Coreydora completely vanish, my guess is that mine decomposed but in this scenario I’m clueless. Is there any gap at all in the tank for food like a little hole? Is it possible someone could have accidentally vacuumed him up or threw him out thinking he was a piece of paper or something? Any roommates that could have stole him? Did you do any recent water changes? Would there be anyone who would scoop him out and dispose of his body? It’s a far stretch but I can’t think about anything else

  15. Peppered-Cat on

    I once had a mouse literally steal a fish I had when I was a kid, then a few nights later attack one of the others and leave it with wounds. Given that you say this has happened twice, do you have a problem with rodents or other similar pests? I’m sorry for being graphic, but they will literally wait until the fish surfaces to grab it, or they’ll take the body back to their nest if your fish leapt out of the water and landed somewhere like a desk or floor. Dead or alive.

    I am so sorry about your loss and I hope you can find an answer. But you might try a humane mousetrap or two near the tank area if nothing else explains this. Bait it with something they struggle to resist such as peanut butter.

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