Betta Rescue Journey: Naga

[Chailyte]

I know this is controversial, but I am attempting to rescue this betta that I bought from petco. I wanted to take all of those who would like to follow this journey with me!

Story: I had attempted to save a betta that was way sicker then I knew. She died 5 days after I bought her. It shocked me, I did everything I could, but then I realized I needed to try again.

I went to petco and found this skinny, male, rose tailed betta. He was at the bottom of the cup with fin rot. His cup was nasty. I decided in that moment I had to at least try to save him. I went here; to fishlore to figure out everything I needed to get to save him. I’m at the moment using aquarium salt, catappa leaves, and betta fix. I’m feeding him right now fluval bug bites flakes. I have some frozen blood worms I’m going to give him and soon some frozen daphnia. The first photo is the day I got home in his terrible cup. The second photo is the second day of his betta fix treatment. He’s already so much more active!

He lives in a 2.5 gallon planted tank, hoping to upgrade to a 5.5 soon. I’ll post as this
First week goes on.

 

[maddiegrace]

You're doing such a good thing! I can see the improvement for sure. Just keep doing what you're doing to help the little guy <3 the stripes of blue on him are so pretty! Nice looking fish

 

[Chailyte]

You're doing such a good thing! I can see the improvement for sure. Just keep doing what you're doing to help the little guy <3 the stripes of blue on him are so pretty! Nice looking fish

Thank you!

 

[Zer0Fame]

Fingers crossed for the little guy.
Maybe you could get your hands on some tank-safe alder cones? I found them to be incredibly helpful in such cases. A single small one should be plenty for a tank that size.

 

[Chailyte]

Fingers crossed for the little guy.
Maybe you could get your hands on some tank-safe alder cones? I found them to be incredibly helpful in such cases. A single small one should be plenty for a tank that size.

Can I buy those online or would I find them?

 

[Zer0Fame]

I have to say I'm based in Germany, here you can find them in every store that has even remotely to do with fishkeeping. Online and offline.
It's also possible to collect them yourself, best right off the tree, they need to be dark and open already and not close to a road. Mid to late autumn is actually the best time to collect them, with black alder being the best choice. They usually grow near rivers and lakes.

 

[Chailyte]

I have to say I'm based in Germany, here you can find them in every store that has even remotely to do with fishkeeping. Online and offline.
It's also possible to collect them yourself, best right off the tree, they need to be dark and open already and not close to a road. Mid to late autumn is actually the best time to collect them, with black alder being the best choice. They usually grow near rivers and lakes.

I’m based in the USA midwest, I don’t quite know if we have any around me. I will be on the look out for them though! Thank you!

 

[Chailyte]

Update! Got home from school checking up on him, his fins weren’t as clamped and he was swimming faster!

 

[Chailyte]

Update! Got home from school checking up on him, his fins weren’t as clamped and he was swimming faster!

Further update from today: Naga was flaring at my cousin who stopped by, I fed him some frozen blood worms thawed he loved them! Destroyed them I gave him like 4-5 ish and gave my tetras and shrimp the rest

update in the update: Went to look at Naga making sure he is good. He was happily swimming around, he had a blood worm in his mouth, then he spit it out, got like mad at it dramatically swam towards it, picked it back and resumed happily swimming around with it in his mouth. I think that’s a good sign, it made me laugh out loud.

 

[maddiegrace]

That's so cute! I'm glad he's doing better

 

[Chailyte]

That's so cute! I'm glad he's doing better

Thank you same!

 

[Chailyte]

I’m this photo he was eating a flake, swimming downwards perfectly, so much more energetic! I’m so happy he is doing even better

 

[Chailyte]

How long would you guys recommend using bettafix for? The bottle says a week then do a water change and if needed resume the next week… For how Naga is doing should I get another bottle of bettafix, or no?

 

[Chailyte]

Forgot to post yesterday, here he is. More of his personality is showing! I think he will be in full recovery soon!

 

[Zer0Fame]

He's a beauty!

 

[StarGirl]

How long would you guys recommend using bettafix for? The bottle says a week then do a water change and if needed resume the next week… For how Naga is doing should I get another bottle of bettafix, or no?

I would advise against betta fix period. It is basically essential oils (tee tree oil) and water that will mess with your bettas labyrinth organ. Its like breathing oil to him. I really dont know how they are able to sell this for bettas. Pretty much all 3 fixes dont do anything.

If you want to add something for his tail try Stress Coat instead. Safer for bettas.

 

[aquanata]

How long would you guys recommend using bettafix for? The bottle says a week then do a water change and if needed resume the next week… For how Naga is doing should I get another bottle of bettafix, or no?

Just a heads up on the -fix products. There is great controversy about their negative effects on the labyrinth organ of betta fish as well as their overall effectiveness. The company themselves - I believe it's API? - funded research that ultimately concluded that the -fix products have at most mild anti-bacterial properties but provide neither significant treatment value or harm. The abstract I read (& can't find right now!) Did not address the labyrinth organ issue.

In my experience frequent water changes, excellent water quality (A- O, NI - 0, NA - under 20 & preferably around 5-10) & warm water temp (around 80-82F are most important 1st steps to treating betta fin rot.

Best of luck on your journey. Hope your new buddy thrives!

 

[Chailyte]

I would advise against betta fix period. It is basically essential oils (tee tree oil) and water that will mess with your bettas labyrinth organ. Its like breathing oil to him. I really dont know how they are able to sell this for bettas. Pretty much all 3 fixes dont do anything.

If you want to add something for his tail try Stress Coat instead. Safer for bettas.

Ah, okay. Thank you! Some recommended BettaFix so I was listening to them. I didn’t realize that I appreciate it!

In my experience frequent water changes, excellent water quality (A- O, NI - 0, NA - under 20 & preferably around 5-10) & warm water temp (around 80-82F are most important 1st steps to treating betta fin rot.

Best of luck on your journey. Hope your new buddy thrives!

Yup, I’ve been doing that. Thank you!

 

[Chailyte]

Update: he is doing wonderfully, swimming around awesomely! Now I just need to help him get his tail back, and feed him more, he looks so small…

 

[Chailyte]

I was feeding Naga, his eye looks swollen… does he have Popeyes or am I over thinking?

 

[Rose of Sharon]

He looks fine to me. With popeye, it really stands out and is significantly bigger than normal. He's just beautiful!!! And he's lucky to have you!!!

 

[Chailyte]

He looks fine to me. With popeye, it really stands out and is significantly bigger than normal. He's just beautiful!!! And he's lucky to have you!!!

Oh my gosh, he almost gave me a heart attack. Thank you so, so much!

 

[Rose of Sharon]

He's got very beautiful eyes!!!

I am attaching a link to a thread here on the site where the betta parent posted a pic, and you can clearly see that the betta has popeye. I find that it always helps to look at examples of illnesses.



https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfishforum/threads/neoplex-or-kanaplex-for-popeye.448731/

 

[Chailyte]

He's got very beautiful eyes!!!

I am attaching a link to a thread here on the site where the betta parent posted a pic, and you can clearly see that the betta has popeye. I find that it always helps to look at examples of illnesses.



https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfishforum/threads/neoplex-or-kanaplex-for-popeye.448731/

Thank you!

 

[Chailyte]

In about 2 months i’m planning on moving him into my 29 gallon tank, with my ember tetras, Pygmy corydoras, snails, and shrimp. Hoping he does good with them!

Here is an update photo:

 

[Chailyte]

I’m slightly concerned about Naga. He keeps swimming very fast almost in zigzags… is that a concerning behavior?

 

[Zer0Fame]

Can you measure ammonia and nitrites?

 

[Chailyte]

Can you measure ammonia and nitrites?

Yeah I’ll do that super quick
ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0

 

[Rose of Sharon]

If you can catch that behavior on camera and post it as a video, we could try to see if there is something concerning there, or if that is normal betta behavior....just a thought

 

[Chailyte]

If you can catch that behavior on camera and post it as a video, we could try to see if there is something concerning there, or if that is normal betta behavior....just a thought

I tried, anytime I tried he suddenly stopped. Like, I’m dead serious. I tried for like 30 minutes before I posted there update…

 

[maddiegrace]

Pretty much how my betta likes to be haha, he's camera shy

 

[Chailyte]

Pretty much how my betta likes to be haha, he's camera shy

He’s a great poser for images lol, he started stopping movie and like opens his fins when I take photos of him like this one, I got when I tried to take a video of him!

 

[Zer0Fame]

Is he doing the zig zagging in front of the glass or just anywhere?

 

[Chailyte]

Is he doing the zig zagging in front of the glass or just anywhere?

In front of the glass mostly, it’s like he is trying to get away from something he nearly misses his log each time…

 

[Rose of Sharon]

He may be seeing himself, and reacting to his own reflection. All my males have done this. And some of them can be quite boneheaded about it, too!!!

If you can dim his lights, try to watch and see how he reacts. He is definitely flaring when he stops and unfurls his fins when you are taking pics.

You can try taping up some black construction paper on the back of the tank, and maybe on one side to see if that calms him down.

 

[Chailyte]

He may be seeing himself, and reacting to his own reflection. All my males have done this. And some of them can be quite boneheaded about it, too!!!

If you can dim his lights, try to watch and see how he reacts. He is definitely flaring when he stops and unfurls his fins when you are taking pics.

You can try taping up some black construction paper on the back of the tank, and maybe on one side to see if that calms him down.

Omg, I’m an idiot Boba my old betta did that all the time- thank you!

 

[Zer0Fame]

He may be seeing himself, and reacting to his own reflection. All my males have done this. And some of them can be quite boneheaded about it, too!!!

Hence why I asked.

+1 on the matte black paper.

 

[Chailyte]

Hence why I asked.

+1 on the matte black paper.

Right!

 

[Rose of Sharon]

Hence why I asked.

+1 on the matte black paper.

Thanks, Zer0Fame! You get credit for this one, lol!!!

 

[Zer0Fame]

Thanks, Zer0Fame! You get credit for this one, lol!!!

I'm all for sharing!
Plus I'm pretty sure I'm not even close when it comes to Betta knowledge compared to you.

 

[Wendybrass]

He’s a great poser for images lol, he started stopping movie and like opens his fins when I take photos of him like this one, I got when I tried to take a video of him!

He is absolutely gorgeous. I can't get over how well he's recovered! Good for you! We have 2 PetSmarts in town and both still put their Bettas in cups. Neither of the other stores do that anymore. Mr Pets, which is a chain, has a bank of proper tanks. I've been messaging the manager at PetSmart to stop using cups, left scathing reviews etc etc. Last time I went in there they'd "upgraded" their cup section and added bright lights in each shelf. . What you've done is just wonderful. I feel like I should do the same

 

[Rose of Sharon]

I'm all for sharing!
Plus I'm pretty sure I'm not even close when it comes to Betta knowledge compared to you.

Uh, I think you're being modest now! You seem pretty knowledgeable...

 

[Chailyte]

He is absolutely gorgeous. I can't get over how well he's recovered! Good for you! We have 2 PetSmarts in town and both still put their Bettas in cups. Neither of the other stores do that anymore. Mr Pets, which is a chain, has a bank of proper tanks. I've been messaging the manager at PetSmart to stop using cups, left scathing reviews etc etc. Last time I went in there they'd "upgraded" their cup section and added bright lights in each shelf. . What you've done is just wonderful. I feel like I should do the same

I couldn’t have done it without fishlore! It is completely worth it!

 

[Chailyte]

Update: His tail is growing back blue and dark yellow! He will be moving into a 29 gallon tank in about 1 month!

 

[Rose of Sharon]

He is looking wonderful!!! Handsome boy!!!

 

[JustAFishServant]

I appreciate what you'd done! I've rescued over 250 bettas within 9 years and I currently have 15 (I don't plan to keep any; maybe 3-5 at most) and they're all thriving. A recent half-giant is mostly blind because of his deformed eyes pointing upwards. Funny guy!

Naga seems to be a very healthy, happy fish. Hope he (and you) are doing well. Good luck

 

[Wendybrass]

He looks amazing!

 

[Chailyte]

He is looking wonderful!!! Handsome boy!!!

Thank you!

I appreciate what you'd done! I've rescued over 250 bettas within 9 years and I currently have 15 (I don't plan to keep any; maybe 3-5 at most) and they're all thriving. A recent half-giant is mostly blind because of his deformed eyes pointing upwards. Funny guy!

Naga seems to be a very healthy, happy fish. Hope he (and you) are doing well. Good luck

wow! I would love to save more, I hope to when I’m older.

He looks amazing!

thank you!

 

[Chailyte]

Here’s an update of him, my beautiful little boy. Look how bright his colors are now…

question his body is still dull, do you think the color will come back or is this just how he will look?

 

[aquanata]

Here’s an update of him, my beautiful little boy. Look how bright his colors are now…

question his body is still dull, do you think the color will come back or is this just how he will look?

Betta can have some pretty amazing colour changes as they mature!