Neglected Betta rescued!

The healing process is amazing I thing in all creatures! I do hope he will be ok......Again blow him a kiss from me.


BTW I had a shipping quote of $94 on an order of$20, have I told you this already? SOOOOO tired from work.

Wow! That's insane! Is that from Drs Foster and Smith? I want to order some stuff there too... I wonder how much they'll charge me to Canada? Does anyone know if they charge less shipping if you order a lot of stuff? Maybe you need to order at least $50 or something?

 

Well it's better than me. I contact someone from customer service at the Drs (by e-mail), and they say that for international shipping (to Europe, in my case), I just need to write the details of the order and send them across to customer service. I did that. It's been weeks and I haven't heard from them.

 

The healing process is amazing I thing in all creatures! I do hope he will be ok......Again blow him a kiss from me.


BTW I had a shipping quote of $94 on an order of$20, have I told you this already? SOOOOO tired from work.

Wow! That's insane! Is that from Drs Foster and Smith? I want to order some stuff there too... I wonder how much they'll charge me to Canada? Does anyone know if they charge less shipping if you order a lot of stuff? Maybe you need to order at least $50 or something?

Yikes, that is insane shipping. F&S charge $9.99 up to $60 in the US. I also am in Canada, but right on the border, so I have it sent to Minnesota and go over and pick it up. I don't know what shipping to Canada would be, high I am sure, and they may charge a brokerage fee, which is , cuz you wouldn't be charged on a $25 item even. I just made an order from Pets Warehouse.com for some kanaplex and some cool tank ornaments, the order totalled $23 and they wanted $26 to ship within the US!!! I emailed them to cancel the order, but see the email couldn't be delivered, so will call them in the morning.

Phlox, is there something you really need and can't find except at F&S you could send it to my Minnesota address ( usually takes 2 days) and I could send it to you. You are in Ontario also? I am in Northwest Ont. Course shipping could add up this way also - CDN shipping is so high. Anyway, let me know. Val

 

Stacy wants Rocky! she saw his pics today. we wish you both the best for knocking the finrot out completely and getting him to full health. That Garlic Guard - do you use it regularly or just when a Betta is sick? we'll be doing another DFS order before our move to Denver and we do vitachem daily now, but are always on the lookout for any way to improve our Betta's daily health.

 

You can use Garlic Guard every day. There is nothing in it but garlic and vitamin C. Both are powerful antioxidants and immune boosters. It also helps to prevent parasite infestation. Fish seem to love the taste of garlic so this is also used to enhance the taste of foods to entice finicky eaters or to get fish to eat yucky tasting medicated food. It smells SOOO bad... so garlicky but if it's good for the fish then okay... It's also very cheap. A big bottle costs me less than $3.
Don't put it in the water though or you'll have very stinky water! :;jk Just soak your pellets (I use a plastic spoon) in a few drops of Garlic Guard and when the pellets are saturated suck up the remaining liquid with an eye dropper and use a toothpick or something to put the pellets in the water. You don't want to touch them unless you like having a strong garlic smell on your fingers.

Tell Stacy she can't have him! ;D I'm already in love!

 

Wow Garlic guard! never heard of it! I feed my horse garlic twice a day I really believe in it.

Yes DR F came back with $93. something!! US seems to be bigger on fish keeping than the UK, sounds like arma finds it hard to get products too. We need to find good european product Arma! Or lets fly out to the US together and stock up!!

How is Rocky?

We have a new boy today!!!!!!!! Mum's boy for her birthday!

Do you know ladies, I hated moving back in with the old folks after 20+ years away but this MTS and Betta bug that I have caught since being back here is better than any man!!! ALL HAIL FISHIES!!!!!

 

You can use Garlic Guard every day. There is nothing in it but garlic and vitamin C. Both are powerful antioxidants and immune boosters. It also helps to prevent parasite infestation. Fish seem to love the taste of garlic so this is also used to enhance the taste of foods to entice finicky eaters or to get fish to eat yucky tasting medicated food. It smells SOOO bad... so garlicky but if it's good for the fish then okay... It's also very cheap. A big bottle costs me less than $3.
Don't put it in the water though or you'll have very stinky water! Just soak your pellets (I use a plastic spoon) in a few drops of Garlic Guard and when the pellets are saturated suck up the remaining liquid with an eye dropper and use a toothpick or something to put the pellets in the water. You don't want to touch them unless you like having a strong garlic smell on your fingers.

Tell Stacy she can't have him! I'm already in love!

I think we'll put that on our next DFS order. thanks.

I guess stacy will just have to console herself with the other bettas all around the room. Rocky is a cute little guy and when she heard his story, she wanted to take him home too.

taz - even me? oh i'm so sad.. !

 

Yeah, I've wanted to buy garlic guard for a while but of course the Drs don't seem to deliver to Europe. Sounds like a great product. I wonder if we can make our own (crush some garlic, or even rub it hard against a bowl, then add some tiny amount of tank water, and use as a dip).

 

Yeah, I've wanted to buy garlic guard for a while but of course the Drs don't seem to deliver to Europe. Sounds like a great product. I wonder if we can make our own (crush some garlic, or even rub it hard against a bowl, then add some tiny amount of tank water, and use as a dip).

do you have any vitamin shops nearby? they may have a garlic product with the same ingredients - but probably more expensive.

 

Good idea, but isn't garlic guard in liquid form? Would they sell liquid garlic for humans? (aside form garlic oil, which I have)

 

Good idea, but isn't garlic guard in liquid form? Would they sell liquid garlic for humans? (aside form garlic oil, which I have)

I believe I saw it at a health food grocery store in Denver this past April and will check for it when we're back out there -- see if i'm remembering right or just gone crackers.

 

I think you are a pretty cool guy Dave so I guess you are Ok

 

I think you are a pretty cool guy Dave so I guess you are Ok

thanks.. scared me there.. !

 

Well, so far Rocky's fins are looking more tattered every day. He looks like a crowntail now. The rot seems to be spreading. It looks like he'll lose half his dorsal fin, about 1/3 of his tail and the edges of his anal and ventral fins. The only ones not affected so far is the pectoral fins. He's still active and eating but this may be a stubborn case of fin rot. I'm continuing with the Triple Sulfa until I see improvement. He is also getting the Gel-Tek Ampicillin food which he is eating so far. Hopefully he'll show improvement soon.

 

Poor Rocky! I'm glad to here he is active and eating though. 100% improvement on his past life. I really do hope he will mend soon.

 

Phlox, sorry to hear the dreaded fin/tail rot is making an appearance...................same as Storm............one of his pinholes is larger, like a little tear now, in the middle of his analfin. He just finished a course of Maracyn TC which is icky..............makes the water red and foamy on top. I did water change and new filter so it is clearing up. I don't know if I should just leave him a while ..........a little rest from meds.

I hope Rocky's case isn't stubborn...........the only good part is they don't know they are having a bad hair day...LOL.

Keep us posted!! Val

 

yea, they stay happy little bettas so often when fighting fin rot. hopefully Rocky responds fast to the Triple Sulfa and knocks it out of his system. I guess after his old life, he had some to get out.

 

STEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!

The Russian just said "If he dies... he dies..." And now Rocky is going to kick his BUTT!!

Sorry. It's early... too much caffeine!

 

STEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!

The Russian just said "If he dies... he dies..." And now Rocky is going to kick his BUTT!!

Sorry. It's early... too much caffeine!

lol.. I don't think it's the caffeine.

 

lol yeah. I was in a funny mood yesterday!

 

lol yeah. I was in a funny mood yesterday!

just yesterday?!

 

Update on Rocky's finrot...

The Triple Sulfa seems to be helping a lot. His fins now have nice clean edges, no more raggedy, split, rotten-looking stuff hanging. I am even seeing some regrowth on his tail and analfin. I'm keeping him on the Triple Sulfa and medicated food for a couple more weeks just to make sure his progress continues. One thing I've noticed from reading other's experiences with finrot is that if the fish is taken off meds too soon the rot tends to come back.
From what I've been reading on some reputable breeder's sites is that the fish should be medicated for about 3-4 weeks for finrot, otherwise it becomes resistant and you have a stubborn, chronic case. Even taking them off meds for a couple days can be disasterous. It makes sense to me. Whenever I have to take antibiotics my doctor warns me to stay on them until well after you start feeling better to really make sure all the bacteria is gone.

Fortunately Rocky is not aware of being sick and is happy, dancing and eating like a piggy. Soon he'll have his long beautiful fins back, better than before.

 

we're glad to hear of his improvement!

 

yyyaaaaaayyyyyyy!!!

 

Upon arriving back at my sorority after having been away over the summer, I learned that one of the people who lived in our house over the summer had a betta fish but decided that she didn't want it anymore and left Felix (as I have named him) outside under our stairs. There he sat for two days out in the cold before he was discovered and brought it. I have since adopted him but he is still not happy. His previous companion, a snail, committed suicide and he has since been alone.

I plan on buying him a new aquarium (he is in a good sized bowl right now but he would be happier in a 5 gallon tank) as soon as I find one at a decent price. However is there anything I can do right now to make him happy? He has been laying on the bottom of the bowl not moving and acting dead. He can still be active but he lays on the bottom often and does not seemed interested in much. I am not sure if it is depression or sickness.

The only experience with fish I have is from the goldfish that I had in elementary school and my parents did all of the caring.

Should I perhaps get him another companion once I get a bigger tank? I just want Felix to be happy, healthy and stress free (without breaking the budget!).

Please let me know what I can do to make him happier!

 

It's people like you that give me hope : ) I'm sure Felix is happy knowing your taking care of him how did the snail commit suicide ?? Lol I think Felix would be happier alone in a 5 gallon once you buy a tank it has to be cycled before putting Felix in there petco I belive is having the 1 dollar gallon sale you could buy a 10 gallon : )

 

Seabiscuit, as I had named the snail, was very active. Much too active and one day (during sorority recruitment when I was unable to check on the tank) he decided to explore the world outside his bowl. Sadly that didn't work out too well for him.

What is the 1 dollar gallon sale? I am not used to pet stores and having conventional pets (I tend to rescue pets from the wild or adopt) and am still attempting to learn about fish. I would be very happy to get him a 10 gallon tank if I can afford it.

 

Me I just bought a 20 gallon tank for 23 dollars and something cents at petco the 10 gallon will probably be about 13 dollars but you still do have to buy a filter for the tank poor seabiscuit he wanted some fresh air lol in total it might come out with filter and tank like 30 bucks only petco has the sale I belive

 

Wow, really?? That is crazy cheap! Yeah, I guessed that Seabiscuit was either hungry and not getting enough food or something of that sort. Do you think I should get Felix a companion once I get a bigger aquarium or wait a bit and see how his behavior is once he gets a new home?

 

Bettas do not need companions. They do very well alone. I would suggest keeping him by himself.

 

Usually bettas do better alone but I would wait and see maybe you might be able to get some schooling fish not sure yet though cause some bettas will attack other fish that are colorful and look like them but some bettas are more chill and relaxed : ) what are you feeding him ?

 

Don't forget to get a heater for the tank
And thank you for giving felix a loving home I'm sure he is in good hands and u are asking all the right questions.

Bettas are generally best kept on their own but snails are good companions I have my betta in with apple snails and everyone gets along well

 

He is being fed small little pellets that are made for Bettas (I don't remember the name but I made sure that I got the correct one when I first got him). I also got him some treats but he doesn't seem to like them very much so I just stick to the pellets.

Any suggestions on heaters for a tank? I have been worried that the temperature might start affecting him since it is finally getting cold here.

As for snails, if in the future if I do get a snail you think apple snails are the best? I talked to people in Petco and they said the snails they carried would probably not work well with Felix.

 

For now though he is remaining a loner

 

Some people have success with horned nerite snails too (as an alternative to the apple). In comparison to the apple/mystery, they stay small so the betta won't necessarily view it as a threat. The pet store may have told you no to their snails because most of them only carry apple/mystery, and those guys can get as big as a ping pong ball. (just be aware that typically pet store info is not always accurate!) But it does really depend on the betta. They all have different personalities. Some bettas won't tolerate anything even being next to their tank! They flare at anything and everything! Others are very relaxed. So most people who try a tank mate have a back up place for the lil friend to go if the betta decides he doesn't like the idea. So, you may want to just stick with the betta. If you try it in the future, consider yourself warned. Who knows... the snail who went galavanting may have done that because the betta was giving him a hard time.

They make betta bowl heaters that are flat and small. They don't do a very good job, but its better than nothing. However if you are going to get him a 5 or 10 gallon tank soon, any traditional 50w heater will do. This way you don't have to get a new heater when you get the tank. Turn it up to at least 80. Bettas like it warm.

Some food brands (like NLS) have garlic in their food. This is a good thing. It might help the little guy fight off any sickness he might have going on. You can also soak the food in Garlic Guard (found in the additives isle or by the food)... but some stores don't carry it, so it might be hard to locate.

BTW this whole thread makes me smile! Horray for betta lovers

 

Thank you guys so much for all your help! I am going to go check out Petco right now and see what I can find. I will keep you updated and add a photo of Felix later!

 

Since your bowl and soon-to-be-tank is more than likely not nitrogen cycle 'd... please be sure you give this lil guy lots of water changes.

(click on the 'nitrogen cycle' link to learn more)

 

Aside from everyone else, feed lightly until heating is possible. The lack of proper temp will inhibit digestion so feed maybe 2, maybe 3 pellets a day, only one per feeding. He won't starve and this way he won't end up with constipation,bloat or swimbladder issues. Read up on the Nitrogen Cycle as well.

 

That's great that you saved the betta. Good advice from everyone above. I'd like to emphasize: Read up on the nitrogen cycle, lots of water changes, and don't feed too much. Additionally, I wouldn't recommend tank mates for your betta. Even if he tolerated them now, once he settled in and/or aged you may find he gets more grumpy, and then you'll have to buy ANOTHER tank and filter and heater, or watch your new friends be miserable. I wouldn't risk it.

Also, I would go with a 10 gallon. The difference in price for heaters and filters won't be very much, and at twice the size, he will appreciate it. Plus larger volume tanks take more time for the parameters to go out of whack should things start to go south for some reason.

To reiterate: Be sure to learn about the nitrogen cycle!

 

I also recommend getting Tetra SafeStart because that will speed up your cycle time much more quicker and your betta won't have to stuffer ammonia for a long time. If too much ammonia builds up, it could actually burn your betta, and that's never good.

Also, when you get your filter, you can put a cut up plastic bottle around the outflow so it doesn't make a current in the water since bettas don't like moving water too much.