So I rescued a cup betta....

From Wal-mart...some IDIOT had put 2 of them in the same cup. One of the bettas was dead (obviously) and the water stunk to high heaven. I don't know if the little guy is going to make it, he can't swim right. Mostly he's just sitting on the bottom of his 'tank' but he keeps falling to the side. When he tries to 'swim' he can get his front up but his tail sinks.

I don't have a regular tank that I can put him in, so I put him in our double-betta 'tank' for now. I've got some 5+ gallon kritter keepers coming this week that I planned to use for shrimp, so he can have one of those when they get here (if he makes it that long). I thought to put him in the 10-gallon with the guppies but with the way he's (not) swimming I'm sure he would drown.

I swear, I will get this Wal-mart to stop selling cup Bettas! Or to at least lock them up, this is not the first time we've found cups with 2 bettas in them--1 dead and 1 dying.

I treated the water with Prime and put some ammonia absorbing crystals in the bottom. I know it's not big enough (1/2 gallon approx.), but considering he can't really swim I didn't think a bigger tank was a good idea at the moment.

Hopefully the little guy pulls through and is just stressed out from fighting and being in that nasty water

 

We saw the ones in PetSmart today... I felt so bad for remote. I really wanted to take one home, but we have no place to put one.

 

Unfortunately they won't stop selling them as long as you keep buying them. It needs to cost them money to lose them without profit, before they quit trying to make one. You can raise a fuss, request a supervisor/manager every time you see something bad, make them walk out there and listen to a lecture on animal cruelty. Eventually they'll get the hint.

Good luck to your new boy!

 

We didn't buy this one, they gave it to us. We never buy them there because I know that just increases the demand. I told the manager it was probably going to die anyway, so she said we could take it.
Every time we go there and find some 'swimming' in less than 1" of water, find dead ones, find some that look like they haven't seen clean water in forever, or, like today, find some that someone thought would be 'fun' to put together, we take them to the service desk and raise a stink about it.

Any ideas on his behavior? Is he injured or just stressed from fighting? Anything else I can do for him?

 

Really clean water is what he needs. I've heard Indian Almond Leaves or Betta spas will help fin rot but super clean water will be helpful. If you can soak his food in garlic, it will boost his immune system and stimulate his appetite. Check him for a bloat. There's another thread on here that may help you. I'll find it.

EDIT: Check out this link, it may help

 

aw so sad...hope he makes it

 

Since our Betta died last year, we don't have any food specifically for Bettas. If he survives I'll be sure to pick up some 'betta food' next time I'm at walmart.

I gave him some of the HikarI micro pellets that I bought for my dwarf rasboras and guppies, is that food okay? I also dropped a shrimp pellet in the 'tank' since it sinks and he's just sitting on the bottom. In addition to these 2 foods I also have wardley tropical flakes, HikarI sinking wafers, and some freeze-dried bloodworms. Later this week I should be getting my other shipment frompetmountain (I love that place lol). That shipment will have HikarI freeze-dried daphnia and HikarI algae wafers.

 

Here is the real unfortunate thing about the Walmart fish department. They already lose money on the live fish directly both from the mortality rate in store but also from returns of fish that don't last when they get sold. The live fish are mostly there to drive sales of the other aquarium products (that are actually profitable). Ie they make no money selling bettas, but rather from people getting a betta then buying equipment for it.

My gf is a former manager so this comes straight from the source so to speak.

 

@shellyd It is possible that your new guy has a swim bladder injury. This is common in cup bettas because of how they are fed. Or he could have gotten an injury while fighting for his life. The problem with this illness is they need a really good digestible staple diet. So using something not designed for his system can eventually lead to other problems. Including constipation etc. Which can effect the SB issue. I would suggest grabbing some New Life Spectrum Betta Pellets or Omega One betta pellets. They are both really good betta foods. Usually you can find both at Petco.

Good luck with your new guy! One positive thing I can see from the pictures is he has great color. So that is a good sign..


@ EricV, that sadly is exactly right. So I personally would rather make a difference for that one betta rather than make it a victI'm of the "cause". There is never going to be enough knowledagble or understanding people to change how they are handled by these stores by refusing to buy them. So I feel like if I can make a difference for that one fish, I do.

 

I put my new guy on NLS Betta pellets...it's only been...less than a week and he's already growing new finnage

 

We don't have a petco any where close by; I think the nearest one is in Frankfort--2+ hours away. Any 'good' foods have to be ordered. I'll see what I can come up with.

 

Here is the real unfortunate thing about the Walmart fish department. They already lose money on the live fish directly both from the mortality rate in store but also from returns of fish that don't last when they get sold. The live fish are mostly there to drive sales of the other aquarium products (that are actually profitable). Ie they make no money selling bettas, but rather from people getting a betta then buying equipment for it.

My gf is a former manager so this comes straight from the source so to speak.

That is terrible

 

poor betas... that is just horrible. we found seriously ill betas at petsmart. also there were dead ones in cups...

 

I should have gotten a photo of the last dead one I saw in a walmart to present to any 'authorities' I could find...it was horrible.

 

so cruel hope he makes it through

 

@ EricV, that sadly is exactly right. So I personally would rather make a difference for that one betta rather than make it a victI'm of the "cause". There is never going to be enough knowledagble or understanding people to change how they are handled by these stores by refusing to buy them. So I feel like if I can make a difference for that one fish, I do.

Having a defeatist approach to it will definitely never solve the problem. In fact, there have been many walmarts who have stopped carrying live fish completely, in part because of enough people banding together and filing complaints. So that one refusal CAN and DOES make a difference, and letting those bettas be casualties serves a greater good when the result is the store not carrying them anymore in the future, or getting their care back in order. There are always going to be people that buy these fish kept in poor conditions, but the stores that promote this behavior don't always exist (at least in this form) if enough people care to take a stand against it.

It's truly compassionate to care about fish on an individual level but IMO it's also very shortsighted to put on blinders and only care about that one fish that you are working with. Especially when you know that 'saving' it only promotes and furthers the horrific practice that we claim to be against. This is just my opinion of course and is not intended at you in particular but rather that entire faction of cup betta rescuers. IMO many people who do purchase unkempt bettas want to celebrate their small battle when in the bigger picture we all lose ground in the war.

 

Now, if you can get them to GIVE you that sickly betta...

 

Having a defeatist approach to it will definitely never solve the problem. In fact, there have been many walmarts who have stopped carrying live fish completely, in part because of enough people banding together and filing complaints. So that one refusal CAN and DOES make a difference, and letting those bettas be casualties serves a greater good when the result is the store not carrying them anymore in the future, or getting their care back in order. There are always going to be people that buy these fish kept in poor conditions, but the stores that promote this behavior don't always exist (at least in this form) if enough people care to take a stand against it.

It's truly compassionate to care about fish on an individual level but IMO it's also very shortsighted to put on blinders and only care about that one fish that you are working with. Especially when you know that 'saving' it only promotes and furthers the horrific practice that we claim to be against. This is just my opinion of course and is not intended at you in particular but rather that entire faction of cup betta rescuers. IMO many people who do purchase unkempt bettas want to celebrate their small battle when in the bigger picture we all lose ground in the war.

Well you certianly have the right to your opinion. As do I. And making people feel as if they have done something wrong by not agreeing with or "not getting" this greater good purpose. By buying or helping a sick betta. Everyone has different ways of dealing with a situation. And from what I have read and seen as far as walmart selling/not selling fish has more to do with a space issue rather than people complaining or banning together. When you can give me an example of any petco or petsmart whos community has managaed to stop the sell of bettas. Then maybe I will admit a "defeatist" attitude. But for now, I will respectfully just call it a matter of MY opinion. Which I am entitled to.

 

I admire what you're doing . I remember getting Ruby, my female betta, from an attempted and failed sorority at Petsmart. At least my LFS just divides the tank and over filters a ton(29g tank with 20 gallon sump and 200 gallon filter). Hopefully the little guy survives! Best luck to the both of you!

 

Good morning,

Everyone is going to have their opinion on Bettas in Cups from WalMart or any store that sells fish and pets that are not up to "our" standards.

Let's help members with their fish issues regardless of where the fish came from and the conditions the fish were kept in prior to the member making the purchase. The member has a new fish and has concerns and needs advice. Telling someone, "do not buy from said pet store" or "do not buy cup bettas" isn't going to help the situation at all and is actually taking the thread off topic. Please stay on topic.

Take your complaints to management of said fish/pet store. That is about all any of us can do.

My opinion, if I see a fish that I like or a fish I want to rescue from poor conditions, and I can give it a good home, I'm going to buy it. I do not care where the fish comes from. Some may call it a rescue, others may not. It's their opinion. Some may view it as only giving $ to said fish/pet store, others consider it a rescue.

Very few fish stores are going to provide the appropriate homes and water conditions for many types of fish due to the quick turn over of their stock.

If you can buy a fish, give it a good home and the proper care, I say go for it.

Remember, we are all here to help when we can and that is the bottom line.

Thanks!

Ken

 

Hey Shelley,
My betta was a wal-mart fish too. He was in about an inch of water. I wish I could have taken them all home but, of course, it was a betta so I couldn't.
Mine is in my 29 gallon community tank and he has never had specific betta food. He eats flakes, bloodworms and loves shrimp pellets.
Hopefully with the better conditions you are giving this guy, he will recover too. I, myself, think it was very nice of you to take him

 

They already lose money on the live fish directly both from the mortality rate in store but also from returns of fish that don't last when they get sold. The live fish are mostly there to drive sales of the other aquarium products (that are actually profitable). Ie they make no money selling bettas, but rather from people getting a betta then buying equipment for it.

I have no doubt that this is probably true, so the thing to do is NOT to go back to Walmart for the betta food, or anything else related to pets. Buy all of your equipment and supplies at responsible dealers, add to their profits. Take the fish from Walmart for the fish's sake, but don't give Walmart a dime more profit on anything else. Once the department becomes unprofitable, they will eliminate it.

Don't bargain shop at the chains.

To the OP, as others have said, probably clean water everyday, heater, and possibly some garlic seems to be your best course of action. Keep an eye out for any other abnormalities.

Good luck.

 

Members, please remember this thread is not about whether or not we should buy a betta at a certain store or steps we can do to make them stop.
That debate would be best served in a thread of it's own.

This is about Shelly's new betta boy.

From Wal-mart...some IDIOT had put 2 of them in the same cup. One of the bettas was dead (obviously) and the water stunk to high heaven. I don't know if the little guy is going to make it, he can't swim right. Mostly he's just sitting on the bottom of his 'tank' but he keeps falling to the side. When he tries to 'swim' he can get his front up but his tail sinks.

I don't have a regular tank that I can put him in, so I put him in our double-betta 'tank' for now. I've got some 5+ gallon kritter keepers coming this week that I planned to use for shrimp, so he can have one of those when they get here (if he makes it that long). I thought to put him in the 10-gallon with the guppies but with the way he's (not) swimming I'm sure he would drown.

I swear, I will get this Wal-mart to stop selling cup Bettas! Or to at least lock them up, this is not the first time we've found cups with 2 bettas in them--1 dead and 1 dying.

I treated the water with Prime and put some ammonia absorbing crystals in the bottom. I know it's not big enough (1/2 gallon approx.), but considering he can't really swim I didn't think a bigger tank was a good idea at the moment.

Hopefully the little guy pulls through and is just stressed out from fighting and being in that nasty water

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He's a pretty boy!
Congrats on your new betta Shelly!

Frequent water changes, garlic guard and vita-chem will help boost his immune system.

Good luck and keep us posted.

 

I received my Omega-One betta pellets yesterday. I'd already fed him, so I waited until today to try him out on them. He absolutely loves it! I probably gave him too much but the poor guy was acting starved

He is swimming like normal now, though he is very skittish. I think I'm going to cycle one of my kritter keepers and use that for him and some shrimp. I'd thought to put him in the 10-gallon with the guppies but considering that he's already fought and won (at least once ), I'm thinking he'd probably not be the best candidate for a community-type tank.

Does he need anything to sleep on in this kritter keeper? It is almost 10" deep but I'm thinking that measurement includes the lid. The kritter keeper is a little over 5 gallons. I have a corner filter (sponge-type) for it, so if need be he can sleep on top of it temporarily.

If he does need something to sleep on, any suggestions?

 

My bettas sleep in their floating betta logs I'm not sure that they NEED something to sleep in but mine like them

 

My bettas sleep in their floating betta logs I'm not sure that they NEED something to sleep in but mine like them

Well I know I've read that they like to be near the top of the water so they don't have to swim too far to get a breath when they are sleeping, but I just didn't know if it was necessary given the depth of this 'tank'. The last betta we had lived in the 10-gallon for a long while and usually wedged himself in one of the fake plants Or he'd sleep in the cave on the bottom, I guess it just depended on his mood. A 10-gallon is a little deeper than this kritter keeper, but not much.

The ONLY place around here to get anything fish-related is unfortunately Walmart, we are just too remote to have any specialty stores. Most people in this area have 'pets' that serve a purpose--hunting dogs, cats (for rodents)--and farm animals, not many have 'just' pets.

 

Shelly that is awesome news!! I knew that was all that he needed was a lil good food and some TLC ...Do you have any java moss around? I have found that every single one of my LOVE laying right in the middle or sometimes the top of a nice large ball of it. Frosty especially loves his. He is so adorable when he goes to bed. That fish has more personality than most dogs!!

And once your guy realizes he is here to stay and is in his critter keeper you will find that his personality will shine. Just becareful with the puppy dog eyes at feeding time until you are sure he is 100%. If his issues was from a swim bladder injury it is possible to affect that if he eats too much. Also, fast him once a week and also try giving him a couple of de-shelled frozen peas. Just to get him on track Good luck! Did you name him yet??

 

Shelly that is awesome news!! I knew that was all that he needed was a lil good food and some TLC ...Do you have any java moss around? I have found that every single one of my LOVE laying right in the middle or sometimes the top of a nice large ball of it. Frosty especially loves his. He is so adorable when he goes to bed. That fish has more personality than most dogs!!

And once your guy realizes he is here to stay and is in his critter keeper you will find that his personality will shine. Just becareful with the puppy dog eyes at feeding time until you are sure he is 100%. If his issues was from a swim bladder injury it is possible to affect that if he eats too much. Also, fast him once a week and also try giving him a couple of de-shelled frozen peas. Just to get him on track Good luck! Did you name him yet??

No, we haven't named him...or the other one that my son sweet-talked me into getting (But Moooooom....it's the last one! :rolleyes. The new one is blue-ish, I'll get some pics of them both.

 

Glad to see he made it, and hope he's doing good. I would have done the same thing. Poor boy

 

very sad but at the petcos I have in NY ive never seen any deadonez