mlinden84

"betta" has just died... He's been sick for a few weeks now, but didn't really get deathly ill until this morning.... then he went downhill fast.
He was my first betta... I got him last March... He will be missed!
But I'm glad he's not suffering anymore.

Allie

Sorry about your fish.

KonaBoy

Sorry to hear that

Lucy

I'm sorry you lost him.

kra-z-fishmumm

sorry to hear of your loss.

chickadee

I am so sorry to hear of this, but if he was very ill sometimes death can be a blessing. I know you will miss him and he has been after all a part of the family. Please know that you have my deepest sympathies. I do know what it feels like and we are all here for you.


Rose

mlinden84

Thanks everyone for your kind words.

I didn't have the heart to just flush him like I have done with any other fish that have died. My daughter and I went and dug a hole for him in the garden and had a nice little funeral service. Hehe I felt kinda foolish, but it seemed fitting for him. My daughter said that we should move "Mr. Betta" ("Betta's" look alike) into his old tank since they look the same (the workings of a 3 year old's brain!).

I keep looking at the tank and for a minute I forget that it isn't the original Betta (they are identical looking). But I just have to keep reminding myself that I gave him a good year of his life and that I gave him everything he could have wanted.
I am fairly sure that he did have dropsy... his body was pineconed out today. It was heartbreaking to see him suffer today, I'm glad that he isn't in pain anymore and that he died fairly quickly after he got so sick (and that I didn't have to put him down... that would have been so hard).

Again, thank you everyone for your kind words. It's so tough to have these little guys die.

COBettaCouple

We're so sorry that Betta didn't make it.

Drea

sorry you had to say bye to him.

ricktavious

Very sorry to hear of your loss

pamd

My deepest sympathies to you. I really love the idea of your taking your daughter out with you to bury him. You're truly teaching your daughter many valuable lessons, including respect for such a tiny but precious living creature. My tears go out to you.

Martinismommy

I'm sorry for your loss....I know how painful a time like this can be......

mlinden84

Thank you everyone for your support and kind words.

mlinden84

Technically all of the bettas are "hers" (hence the names, "Betta" "Mr. Betta" and "Rainbow") She is making a stepping stone today to put in the garden for Betta. She is very compassionate with animals, I think it has something to do with all the foster dogs and fish we've had. Even though she's just 3, I want her to understand life/death (well as much as a 3 year old can).
Thank you for your kind words.

COBettaCouple

He did have a very good life with you.. we lost our beloved Aslan to dropsy earlier this year and you definitely did all that could be done for Mr. Betta. It's definitely fitting to have a little memorial service for them. That's how we say goodbye to our little special ones too.

mlinden84

I feel like maybe if I would have tried some medicines on him (I was planning on picking up some today for him) that maybe he would have been ok... but I wasn't sure about the dropsy until yesterday. It's the whole "shoulda, woulda, coulda" thing... but I can't change it so I'm not going to beat myself up about it.

The whole time he was sick it didn't really occur to me he could actually die.... I just thought he was constipated and any day he would get better. Until yesterday... within a span of about 3 hours he got really bad and passed away.

I keep looking at Betta's tank (which is on my computer desk) and I really miss him! I'm still amazed at how attached we get to these guys.

sirdarksol

Sorry to hear it.

Barbrella

I"m sorry you lost your little buddy.

I couldn't either with mine. Bettas just affect us that way, don't they?

COBettaCouple

Unfortunately, dropsy is nearly 100% fatal. The only med that I know of to have some effect on it is kanamyacin and that's so strong, it can do more harm than good. You did all you could for him and we always miss our little lost ones, but they leave us with a lot of good memories.

mlinden84

Well I wasn't planning on picking up that med, so I guess what I would have gotten wouldn't have worked anyway.

matty

Sorry, you lost your little guy-sounds like you are a very compassionate person. I'm sure you gave him a good home.

mlinden84

Thank you! I believe in treating all animals with kindness and respect, no matter what size, shape, etc. All the animals in my care are spoiled rotten! (haha my 3 year old daughter is too!)

COBettaCouple

Well, if she gets too spoiled, just cut back on her bloodworms.

You're right.. every little life we bring home from a pet store, fish auction, friend's tank, etc. is a commitment to give them the best care always. I know Betta had that.

mlinden84

Hehe I'll have to do that!

I've been thinking already about going to look for another betta... but ill be leaving for a few weeks in may so I think i'll wait until after that. Unless one happens to catch my eye before then!

COBettaCouple

Yea, I'd wait so you can enjoy that time of them learning the new world and exploring it.. and bonding with you, getting to enjoy their attention from you.

mlinden84

I ended up moving "Mr. Bettas" tank from my computer desk back to my daughters room. While I always feed and take care of them, both of our bettas belong to my daughter. They get so excited when she is near the tank. I think poor Mr. Betta missed being in her room. So now once I get back from Minnesota at the end of May I will have to find a betta of my own to be in the tank at my desk.

COBettaCouple

Sounds great. They do love the activity of a desk and watching computer screens, and get VERY spoiled!

MissMTS

I am so sorry you lost him. Your daughter sound so precious. You are teaching her such good life lessons at an early age.

mlinden84

I swear sometimes she would rather sit and watch the fish than play with the foster dogs.
On second though... sometimes so would I