LauraJoe

redgal

Thanks red - did you ever figure out which parasite was, the cure and did he survive? just curious. Both of mine exhibit the exact behaviours listed ( though not viewable symptoms) under the disease the link came up with....I'm almost tempted to do an autopsy on Haka if he dies as it says it's visible to the human eye, just so i can learn from it but I'm not sure i can stomach it.

Great idea, thanks Lucy - I will pick some up for the future, but sadly Haka has now stopped eating altogether Poor guy.

Thanks, Laura Joe.

harpua2002

Sorry about your loss, and your trouble with Haka. I hope things improve for you.

Lucy

I'm sorry he's not eating. Maybe try soaking the food in garlic juice.

fishtroy

I wish him the best of luck for a recovery.

redgal

He's been in the same position for 15 hours now lying on one side on the gravel. He tried to move when he saw me this morning but couldn't. He is a lot more swollen now and is barely breathing - gills only opening slightly and very slow rate. It's so horrible to see him suffering like this.

I've thought about the humane euthanasia method using clove oil and vodka. My hubby said he would go into town and get some as he is not liking seeing him like this either (our town is a 30min drive and we ahve a snow blizzard right now), but I'm not sure that I could do that to him...

A friend of mine works for the ministry of the enviroment and has offering to take my tank water in for testing for heavy metals orother stuff for me on Monday. It's too late for my boys but at least I will have a better idea if something was added to the water.


This is totally heartbreaking

harpua2002

If you're seriously considering euthanizing with clove oil and vodka, I can tell you that I've done it before and the fish does not seem to suffer. It's heartbreaking to make the call, but just know that if you have to do it, the fish goes to sleep peacefully and quickly.

I moved all my fish over 400 miles to move in with my now-husband, and my big firemouth didn't do so well with the move. He was old (adult when I bought him, then I kept him for 5 more years) and had been slowing down before the move and I think the stress was just too much. It hurt to do it, and I miss him, but it was fast and in my situation it was the right thing to do.

Don't beat yourself up- we've all been there.

Shadowbeam

I'm so sorry you have to go through this Like everyone has said, you are doing all you can so hang in there xxx

TedsTank

redgal

Sad to say that Haka died. I went into town to buy some clove oil and vodka but when we got back he had already passed.

Both my boys gone in three days. I know I gave them a great life and lots of love but I feel bad that they suffered like they did.

RIP Haka you were an amazing little fighter in every way and I'll miss you.


Thank you all so much for helping me through this - I've clung to every word of support.


I guess now I'll have to disinfect everything so I'l keep myself busy doing some research on that. Hubby has also said he might buy me a 5g tank for a new betta

Shadowbeam

Redgal, they couldn't have asked for a better owner, and companion. It really showed how much you cared and it sounds liek they had a great life, don't focus on this but focus on them how they were alive.
I'm so sorry this happened and you tried everything, we are here for you all the way xxx

harpua2002

Again, sorry for your loss.

uprightandlocked

So sorry to hear of your loss - please hang in there. We can all relate to the feelings of heartbreak watching our little friends go. And in many ways, the best way to heal is to open your heart again to another (or another two!) betta boys and/or girls. They're personalities are infectious!

JaneAustenAddict

Sorry for your loss.

Tigerlily

I'm so sorry for your loss... it's so heart wrenching.

Lucy

I'm so sorry to come on line tonight and see this sad update.
RIP Haka

whisper

Did you say you had just gotten them? They may have been sick when you got them. Don't beat yourself up over it. These things happen.

callichma

So sorry. At least you know he is no longer suffering. I hope you will honor your 2 past betta boys by rescuing one or two more.nn

fishtroy

My deepest sympathy to you for the poor darling boys. I do think that the shared water in divided tanks is a problem. If there is an underlying condition in one of the fish it is spread to his tankmate before he shows symptoms. I am a large advocate for quarantine when a fighter displays any signs of ill health. I feel so sorry for you.
At least now your boys are together in fighter fish heaven, where I often wonder, can they fight each other? Do they have to be kept seperately in the afterlife or are they all in together because they cannot kill each other. Just a thought to ponder. . .

Red1313

<hugs>

redgal

Thank you all so much - you are wonderful!

Callichma - I'm for sure planning on rescuing one or maybe two more - I love bettas

Fishtroy - I've been contemplating whether to buy a 5g tank and house one single betta and turn my 10g in a community tank with some other fish,then see if I can get a smaller hospital-type tank for future quarantine. I'm trying to figure out how much I can stretch my budget but I'm hoping my family would much rather me biy tanks and fihs than have presents ! Just kidding!

Funny you should ask the afterlife question as I buried them close by one another because I figured they just all 'play fight' for fun and no-one gets hurt in the afterlife.

Although I am sad it ended the way it did, I've learnt a lot about fish-keeping from this experience and I'm sure I'll keep learning more as I go not least because of all the amazing wealth of knowledge and support in this forum.

redgal

Okay, today I sterilized everything and noticed something....two of my aquarium silk plants, good quality ones,look as though they are corroding, like I can see the metal and some rust coloring in a few spots. I thought aqautic plants were safe and wouldn't corrode Grrrr, I hope this is not what killed my fish or I'll be writing the manufacturers a serious email. I'm also wondering if I can reseal them with aquarium glue or whether I should chuck em'.

MissMTS

I am so sorry for your loss RIP pretty boys.

I would definitely throw out your plants if they are corroding and you can see rust. I am not sure if that could have killed your fish or not, but I wouldn't keep them regardless.

fishtroy

I'd chuck them, it is not worth the risk of your new boys. That is sweet that you put them near each other, my Achilles has a little monument in our garden with heaps of ornaments. It is a nice thought to think that they can all swim together in the afterlife.
Tanks and stuff rather than presents? I like that idea! You could always suggest Christmas Money and Tanks with accessories for presents! I may have already starting putting some GIANT hints in with my family.

pamd

I've been following this thread with lots of tears in my eyes, redgal. I am so sorry about the losses of Volcan and Haka. You did everything you could, and what a great fish mom you are. You gave them wonderful lives.

I especially appreciate your interest in trying to find out what went wrong. Whatever you find out will help other betta lovers here, and possibly hundreds of bettas.

I'm interested in whatever you find out about the silk plants. I don't use them, because they're almost all made in China and I am very suspicious of them. Don't get me wrong. Some of my best friends are from China, but my friends are not manufacturers of silk aquarium plants much less substandard food for human babies.

Shadowbeam

well said

redgal

A little update and note to say thanks for all this wonderful support from you all.

My friend did an analysis on my tank water and found no harmful substances or hevay metal etc. All the parameters were spot on. So, I can only conclude that they died of some internal disease that none of my different medications that I tried could treat successfully ( and I tried about 5 or 6 over the course of their lives!). I am strongly thinking it was the disease I linked to earlier - just seems to fit but I will never know for sure.

I totally agree about the divided tank - that is the big drawback.

On a lighter note....my hubby just bought me a new 5g tank, and one for my daughter. plus, I still have the 10g to fill......yipee!

That makes 3 tanks........ I think I have caught MTS and I blame it totally on the fishlore forums LOL.

(PS now I'm a fish helper?? I still feel like a newbie!!!)

Shadowbeam

I'm so happy that you can open yourself up to more fish I think alot of us who followed this thread were devastated for you so I'm so glad you're back on your feet!