Help! My Betta Jumped

I was changing my bettas water (his name is Stanford) and he jumped out of my hand when I was moving him back. I typically move him by hand because I don’t have a large tank or anything. And he jumped out of my hand and landed hard on the floor. I picked him up immediately and put him in his water. He usually swims around and shows off when I put him back in and he isn’t and he’s not moving his left fin that much. I don’t know what to do! I’m super attached to him and I’ve trained him to do little tricks. I don’t want to lose him

 

I was changing my bettas water (his name is Stanford) and he jumped out of my hand when I was moving him back. I typically move him by hand because I don’t have a large tank or anything. And he jumped out of my hand and landed hard on the floor. I picked him up immediately and put him in his water. He usually swims around and shows off when I put him back in and he isn’t and he’s not moving his left fin that much. I don’t know what to do! I’m super attached to him and I’ve trained him to do little tricks. I don’t want to lose him

I used to have a Betta that jumped out a few times. So first it's important to get a lid. Besides that they are usually in shock for a little bit afterwards. I would shut the tank lights off and give your betta time to calm down. Check back in a couple hours without disturbing him. He should be back to normal tomorrow

 

Try not to worry too much. Fish are tougher than you think. About a year ago, whilie feeding, one of my prettiest African Cichilds did an olympic swan dive out of the tank and fell four feet to the stone floor. I did what you did, scooped him up then back into the tank. He was completely "stunned" for about three days, then he snapped out of it. Look at him now.

 

If it's a quick jump and the fish has no time to dry out they almost always recover within a day or two. While feeding one of my male plakats, he has jumped out not once but twice straight down to the floor. I think he has learned not to jump as soon as I lift the lid now.

I usually use a plastic cup to transport bettas, unless I'm moving my short finned females a short distance, in which case I'll use my hands. Try using a cup next time.

 

It doesn't need to be said again that your fish is going to be okay, but I'll just chime in my story for an extra tale. Once my goldfish was very sick and I had him in a quarantine tank that I changed the water out 100% everyday. I would keep him in a container and put him back into the tank by hand. Well, I was having a really bad day and was extremely tired and accidentally dropped him on my grimy kitchen floor, and he turned out to be A ok. So you're betta will fine.

Disclaimer: I used my hands because it was an incredibly short distance, like I would hold the container above the tank and place him in with my hands (didn't want the old water in), but that day was a but careless.

 

If it's a quick jump and the fish has no time to dry out they almost always recover within a day or two. While feeding one of my male plakats, he has jumped out not once but twice straight down to the floor. I think he has learned not to jump as soon as I lift the lid now.

I usually use a plastic cup to transport bettas, unless I'm moving my short finned females a short distance, in which case I'll use my hands. Try using a cup next time.

Thank you. The opening on his tank is just pretty small so I don’t use a cup and he is usually fine with the short travel time in my hand. He just flopped today. I’ve been checking on him and he’s swimming around some more and resting on his plant. He ate some food earlier too. Thank you!

 

normally I will use a isolation box in the tank, when I do water change, I will put him into the box until I finish changing water, like this,

Thank you. The opening on his tank is just pretty small so I don’t use a cup and he is usually fine with the short travel time in my hand. He just flopped today. I’ve been checking on him and he’s swimming around some more and resting on his plant. He ate some food earlier too. Thank you!

congratulations,

 

I don’t really have that option. He’s kinda restricted on space. I love in the barracks on my base so I can’t have anything bigger. He’s swimming around this morning but his little fin is scratched up. What should I do about that?

 

Honestly, that is much to small for a betta. He literally has no room to swim. I'm sure that's not what you want to hear. They also need heaters (although not knowing where you are stationed, the ambient air temperature may be enough) and a heater.

 

If you have a water conditioner that help's promote a slime coat, give him some. It will aid in preventing any unwanted nasties attacking your stressed fish through his potentially rubbed off slime coating that helps protect's him.

Regards
Bill

 

View attachment 564292 I don’t really have that option. He’s kinda restricted on space. I love in the barracks on my base so I can’t have anything bigger. He’s swimming around this morning but his little fin is scratched up. What should I do about that?

If you do love him... please try to manage at least 5 gallons.

 

Sadly, like a few people have said, that little cup isn't nearly enough room. I know they are in cups at the pet store. And I know the pet shops tell you they don't need a big tank. But that isn't true.

Please try reading up about betta fish care. He will live longer and be healthier if he has proper care. Even if it's temporary, a plastic bin that holds at least 5 gallons is much better than a glass of water. It would be very cheap to do that if you need to save money for a real tank.