TINY betta update- is she ok?

[sunflower430]

While Luna was active and hunting mosquito larvae yesterday evening (right after I got her), today she is mostly resting on the bottom of the tank. Occasionally zipping to a new spot and laying some more. She seems to bump around into things and the ground quite a bit. Sometimes she stops on the bottom not near something and then lets herself drift to a resting spot... Can't tell if she's irractic or just really trying to stay out of open water. Is this normal baby female betta behavior? I was expecting her to be more active based on yesterday. Hoping she is just settling in and trying out all the good hiding spots? Maybe a little lazy from eating too much? Water parameters are all fine. 0, 0, 5 and she's the only thing in the tank other than some pre-existing snails so I doubt it's anything with water quality. I've been keeping lights off most of the day to keep stress down- behavior doesn't seem to change with them on or off.

 

[StarGirl]

Maybe the filter is too strong for her? My HOBs that I have had were too strong for my bettas. It looks like she is hiding under things.

 

[sunflower430]

Maybe the filter is too strong for her? My HOBs that I have had were too strong for my bettas. It looks like she is hiding under things.

It's a super low flow that my previous male betta with ridiculously long fins didn't have an issue with. But I can try to stick some more floss in there to disperse the flow even more in case that may be it! She actually is tending to stay in what is probably the "highest" flow parts of the tank oddly. I do have a sponge filter but I can never seem to get those set up quite right and the sound of air pumps drives me a little batty so I am trying to avoid switching to that if possible lol
Digging through my fish drawer I remembered I have some big Indian almond leaves so I'll throw one of those in there too to see if the tannins help destress her

 

[sunflower430]

Maybe the filter is too strong for her? My HOBs that I have had were too strong for my bettas. It looks like she is hiding under things.

Don't think she is going to make it and I think I now see the problem.... red coming out of her anal vent. Guessing she has parasites and that may also be why she's so small Poor thing. Looking back I even see them in the cup from when I bought her. Didn't notice with her koi pattern.

 

[fishywoo]

Don't think she is going to make it and I think I now see the problem.... red coming out of her anal vent. Guessing she has parasites and that may also be why she's so small Poor thing. Looking back I even see them in the cup from when I bought her. Didn't notice with her koi pattern.

Are you sure that's her vent and not her fin? If you're sure it's coming from her vent it might be parasites. You could try expel-p if it's not too late and would do good to treat the tank any how. If there are parasites they could already be in the water or be released if she doesn't make it. Very sorry she's not healthy. It's very frustrating how often new fish come home to a good place but are already sick and/or just too stressed after being at the store. The small cups they are left in in most places is not healthy. =(

If it's her fin and not coloring it could be something more serious. I'm not sure what would be best if it is, but you'd want to be careful about introducing a new Betta to this tank if she doesn't make it

 

[sunflower430]

Are you sure that's her vent and not her fin? If you're sure it's coming from her vent it might be parasites. You could try expel-p if it's not too late and would do good to treat the tank any how. If there are parasites they could already be in the water or be released if she doesn't make it. Very sorry she's not healthy. It's very frustrating how often new fish come home to a good place but are already sick and/or just too stressed after being at the store. The small cups they are left in in most places is not healthy. =(

If it's her fin and not coloring it could be something more serious. I'm not sure what would be best if it is, but you'd want to be careful about introducing a new Betta to this tank if she doesn't make it

She unfortunately didn't make it. I'm going to treat the tank for the worms in case that is what it was and they contaminated the tank. And also will let it sit empty for at least a few weeks before putting another fish in there (doing lots of water changes while I wait). There are some ramshorn snails in there... Hopefully not too much can be carried by them. I'll try to fish out as many as I can but getting rid of them all is impossible in my experience. Not sure what else I can reasonably do. I really don't want to rip the tank completely down.

 

[StarGirl]

She unfortunately didn't make it. I'm going to treat the tank for the worms in case that is what it was and they contaminated the tank. And also will let it sit empty for at least a few weeks before putting another fish in there (doing lots of water changes while I wait). There are some ramshorn snails in there... Hopefully not too much can be carried by them. I'll try to fish out as many as I can but getting rid of them all is impossible in my experience. Not sure what else I can reasonably do. I really don't want to rip the tank completely down.

Aw that sucks Im sorry . At least she had a nice home for her time. Hugs.

 

[Rose of Sharon]

So sorry....poor little Luna!

 

[sunflower430]

Aw that sucks Im sorry . At least she had a nice home for her time. Hugs.

So sorry....poor little Luna!

Thank you both! I've never had a betta for less than 2 years so I was totally not expecting to lose her! A little silly how attached I got in 24hrs. Sigh. At least she had one day of being in a comfortable environment and a good last meal. Poor girl.

 

[fishywoo]

Thank you both! I've never had a betta for less than 2 years so I was totally not expecting to lose her! A little silly how attached I got in 24hrs. Sigh. At least she had one day of being in a comfortable environment and a good last meal. Poor girl.

They are love at first sight though so it's not silly at all. When you pick one, you love them, that's why you pick them, and want to see them thrive.

Very sorry =(