Dead Betta, Help please

[Thomas260]

Hello guys. I was away for the weekend and I came home to this today. My betta fish being dead with a lump under his head. Can someone help me or explain to me any possible reasons why my betta died?

 

[Ghostly]

what are his parameters?

 

[Thomas260]

what are his parameters?

Temperature 26 degrees
PH 8
KH 5
GH 10

 

[Ghostly]

Temperature 26 degrees
PH 8
KH 5
GH 10

do you know his ammonia, nitrate and nitrite?

 

[Thomas260]

do you know his ammonia, nitrate and nitrite?

NO2 is 0 (zero)
NO3 is 15
I have gone out of Ammonia tests so I will check that tomorrow

 

[Rose of Sharon]

Poor baby!!!

Other things to consider along with your parameters:

Was he just floating when you got home, or on the bottom? Was he wedged in somewhere?

Did he act sick in any way before you left?

Was he eating well, swimming ok?

 

[NBettas83]

Also how old was he? It's really hard to accept sometimes (I have experience), but they are already 6-12 months at the store, so even a year old in care is a lot older than their wild counterparts, and can be a full lifetime, although 2-4 years is more common. Unfortunately, bad genetics can give them seemingly incurable diseases out of nowhere. I miss my baby so much, my heart goes out to you.

 

[Thomas260]

Poor baby!!!

Other things to consider along with your parameters:

Was he just floating when you got home, or on the bottom? Was he wedged in somewhere?

Did he act sick in any way before you left?

Was he eating well, swimming ok?

He was swimming perfect as normally and was eating as usual. The only strange behavior that I have observed on Friday before leaving the house it was that he began isolating himself from other fish and the color of his tail was not as bright as usually. Also, I found him on the bottom

Also how old was he? It's really hard to accept sometimes (I have experience), but they are already 6-12 months at the store, so even a year old in care is a lot older than their wild counterparts, and can be a full lifetime, although 2-4 years is more common. Unfortunately, bad genetics can give them seemingly incurable diseases out of nowhere. I miss my baby so much, my heart goes out to you.

Thank you so much and I totally feel you. He was my first betta and I LOVED HIM. He liked to be petted as well! I had him for only 3 months

 

[NBettas83]

Thank you so much and I totally feel you. He was my first betta and I LOVED HIM. He liked to be petted as well! I had him for only 3 months

I'm so sorry! He was so precious, I always remind myself that if the life was happy, even if short, it's better than a long and boring life.

 

[Rose of Sharon]

What size is your tank, and what is your full stocking?

Are those red parts on his body his regular coloring?

 

[Thomas260]

What size is your tank, and what is your full stocking?

Are those red parts on his body his regular coloring?

I have a 60L tank with 30 more fish. 10 cardinal tetras, 10 galaxy rasboras and 10 green fire tetras. I also have an ancistrous pleco and 15 snails as algae eaters. Yes that was part of his coloring

 

[JustAFishServant]

What type of Snail?

 

[Rose of Sharon]

It's good to check your ammonia levels to be on top of that, but I think that the tetras would be showing signs of stress if the ammoni level was high.

Your ph is on the high side for tetras and bettas, but if that is the same ph that you have had for the entire time, and the betta was thriving, then that isn't the issue either.

Temp is good for all of your fish.

Wow, just trying to do the process of elimination thing. This is really a mystery!

The only thing left that I can think of is that maybe he had some health issue that you were not aware of/didn't show itself until now. Or if he got an internal injury, which would not show up on his body.

I would definitely keep an eye on your other fish to watch for any stress responses from them.

Sorry I can't come up with something definitive!

 

[Fisch]

So sorry for your loss. What kind of filter do you have in the tank? The 15gl tank seems a bit overstocked, specifically since the tank is relatively new. How often do you change water in the tank?

 

[Thomas260]

So sorry for your loss. What kind of filter do you have in the tank? The 15gl tank seems a bit overstocked, specifically since the tank is relatively new. How often do you change water in the tank?

I change 15-20% every 8-9 days. I was thinking that it is overstocked as well but my local fish store suggests the opposite. I dont know... The filter that I have is the one that came with the tank. It is a tetra filter

 

[AIvinn]

What was his diet?

I change 15-20% every 8-9 days. I was thinking that it is overstocked as well but my local fish store suggests the opposite. I dont know... The filter that I have is the one that came with the tank. It is a tetra filter

I suggest that from know on, you shouldn't buy into the info they give you at the LFS(s). There's too much misinformation which is why it's imperative that you do your research, but it's a great thing that you came to Fishlore. Everyone here is willing to help you with any and all questions that you have! **I'm also sorry for your loss.