Help! Betta Out Of Water!

I was doing a water change on my betta tank and took my betta out so he wouldn’t get in the way. I decided to put him in a bowl. So, I get a bowl and put the lid on. While the water is draining I had to go somewhere for a couple minutes. When I came back I found an empty bowl, a lid that had been moved and a betta on the ground. I immediately scooped up the betta with my hands and put him back in the tank. After observing him for a couple of minutes, I noticed he wasn’t swimming well so I moved him to his cup so he could breathe better. So what should I do? I am worried about his slime coat and his health. Is there any medicine I should add or anything? Thanks so so so much

 

Happened to my guppy the other day, but they were only out for about 10 seconds (but it was on a rough surface).

I would add a bit of Epsom salt to help de-stress them until they have calmed down again. Put them in a similar bowl before adding the salt as to not contaminate their tank. Then check them over for physical injuries to the gills, fins or scales. Observe over the next couple of days closely for behavioural changes.

How did the bowl drain?

 

First of all, don't take your fish out of the tank during a water change. It's stressful and unnecessary.

Put your betta in the tank and leave him alone. They are designed to be out of water for fairly long periods of time, but you keeping him in tiny cups and bowls while you're working in the tank is stressing him out.

 

Happened to my guppy the other day, but they were only out for about 10 seconds (but it was on a rough surface).

I would add a bit of Epsom salt to help de-stress them until they have calmed down again. Put them in a similar bowl before adding the salt as to not contaminate their tank. Then check them over for physical injuries to the gills, fins or scales. Observe over the next couple of days closely for behavioural changes.

How did the bowl drain?

Ok, how much epsom salt per gallon? And the betta jumped out of the bowl, it didn’t drain

 

Ok, how much epsom salt per gallon? And the betta jumped out of the bowl, it didn’t drain

Oh ok. For a bath (30 mins or so) I would normally do 1 teaspoon or less. Because you're not trying to kill a disease or anything and it's just for soothing effect, I would do 1 teaspoon per 2 gallons. Just for half an hour (or if they start looking stressed in the epsom salt) and NO MORE

 

He doesn't need epsom salt. Just leave him alone, poor thing.

My female betta somehow got caught in a net I was using to put some plants in her tank. I found her ten minutes later on the shelf, looking very upset.

I scooped her up and put her back in the tank. Ten minutes later she was fine.

Like I said, bettas are designed to live out of water for fairly long periods of time.

 

First of all, don't take your fish out of the tank during a water change. It's stressful and unnecessary.

Put your betta in the tank and leave him alone. They are designed to be out of water for fairly long periods of time, but you keeping him in tiny cups and bowls while you're working in the tank is stressing him out.

I completely agree. Also, Epsom salt won't help in this situation- wrong salt. (Aquarium salt would be more appropriate, but is Totally Unnecessary)

Oops.. didn't see all the other posts.. already covered the Epsom salt thing

 

Ok, how much epsom salt per gallon? And the betta jumped out of the bowl, it didn’t drain

This helps....Salt Baths IF INJURED
And I always take my guy out to vacuum, don’t worry, accidents happen.

 

Ok ok sorry.

I've heard salt baths can help with stress, but never had to use one myself. Don't use a salt bath then :/ I was just trying to be better safe than sorry.

 

First of all, don't take your fish out of the tank during a water change. It's stressful and unnecessary.

Put your betta in the tank and leave him alone. They are designed to be out of water for fairly long periods of time, but you keeping him in tiny cups and bowls while you're working in the tank is stressing him out.

He doesn't need epsom salt. Just leave him alone, poor thing.

My female betta somehow got caught in a net I was using to put some plants in her tank. I found her ten minutes later on the shelf, looking very upset.

I scooped her up and put her back in the tank. Ten minutes later she was fine.

Like I said, bettas are designed to live out of water for fairly long periods of time.

Ok, I put him back in the tank and he seems to be doing a little better

I completely agree. Also, Epsom salt won't help in this situation- wrong salt. (Aquarium salt would be more appropriate, but is Totally Unnecessary)

Oops.. didn't see all the other posts.. already covered the Epsom salt thing

Ok, I won’t give him the Epsom salt bath

So I did put him in a larger breeding net because the shrimp were attacking him! Do you think this would be ok for a couple more minutes so the shrimp don’t eat him?


Edit: never mind they changed their minds. He is now happily in squidward’s house

They are flocking to try and eat him

Edit: they lost interest and he is happily in the main tank

 

Ghost shrimp can't eat a live betta. And they aren't big enough to kill one, so you're fine. Just leave your guy alone and he'll adjust and be just fine by tomorrow.

 

The shrimp must have noticed the stress and wondered if they could have a free meal.

 

the only time its necessary to take the fish out during water change is if your doing 100% or have it in a small bowl. doing water changes while the fish is in the tank won't harm it and will not stress it as much as taking it out would. like junebug said its better to leave it alone to calm down

 

I agree that netting a fish will cause stress, but trained to get in a cup will not....my guy gets in his glass and waits patiently for me to clean and then I put him back in....he’s not stressed...only when I vacuum not partial wc...glad he’s doing better!

 

Ok! My betta happily swims into the cup. I won’t take him out when I am doing water changes anymore