Tried To Take Better Care Of Kid's Betta Fish, Killed It Instead

[TotalFishFailure]

HI all,

The wife and the kids got a betta fish in a cheap unheated 1 gallon tank last summer. They got it from PetCo and of course, the guy sold them on the bare minimums of fish care. Naturally, they then paid very little attention to it (they are terrible with pets). So, I took care of the fish, feeding it daily and cleaning and changing the water. There were definitely some times where I could have cleaned the tank sooner than I did and replaced filters more often, but the fish never seemed to bothered. He always remained perky and excitable.

About 4 days ago, I decided I needed to do more for the fish and ordered a new tank, decorations, gravel, and treatment drops (which we never had used). The new tank is a 3 gallon glass tank and has a much nicer pump and light system. I also used the treatment drops per instructions (14 drops per gallon, so 42 drops).

When I transferred the fish, he immediately became sluggish and aloof. I don't think he ate the entire time he was in the tank (3 days). I would try and interact with him but he would not change.

I did a bit of research and the tank did seem colder than the previous tank on average, so I decided he needed a heater. I ran out and purchased and installed it. The heater has worked fine for the last 2 days.

I woke up this morning to discover the fish had died.

Like I said, I'm not an expert, but I really thought I was IMPROVING the conditions for the betta. More space, better lighting, better features (a much nicer cave/hole for him to hide in), water treatment, and warmer water.

Is there any obvious circumstance I overlooked? I know I must have killed this fish, I'm just at a loss on how.

 

[bizaliz3]

Are you familiar with the nitrogen cycle? I'm going to guess the new tank did not get cycled first?? Had you ever tested the water parameters?

You definitely were improving the living situation, but you may not have prepared the new tank properly.

Sorry for the loss!

 

[TotalFishFailure]

I know of the nitrogen cycle, but admittedly, I figured the process mattered more on more exotic and less hardy fish.

When my wife set up the first tank, she did not adhere to the cycle setup. I should have paid more attention to it.

 

[Rtessy]

Hi, I'm really sorry about your loss. You did do the right thing. Moving fish from one tank to another is very stressful for them, I had one get so stressed it developed Dropsy.
Did you acclimate your betta at all? If so, how? Also, was there any decor or hiding places in the new tank, and if so, what?
As for cycling, it does need to be addressed for all fish. Most bettas will survive the process, but it often leaves them in a worse state. The difference is that exotic fish will be dead in a day, though a stressed fish is more likely to die from the cyclint process.

 

[Rivieraneo]

HI all,

The wife and the kids got a betta fish in a cheap unheated 1 gallon tank last summer. They got it from PetCo and of course, the guy sold them on the bare minimums of fish care. Naturally, they then paid very little attention to it (they are terrible with pets). So, I took care of the fish, feeding it daily and cleaning and changing the water. There were definitely some times where I could have cleaned the tank sooner than I did and replaced filters more often, but the fish never seemed to bothered. He always remained perky and excitable.

About 4 days ago, I decided I needed to do more for the fish and ordered a new tank, decorations, gravel, and treatment drops (which we never had used). The new tank is a 3 gallon glass tank and has a much nicer pump and light system. I also used the treatment drops per instructions (14 drops per gallon, so 42 drops).

When I transferred the fish, he immediately became sluggish and aloof. I don't think he ate the entire time he was in the tank (3 days). I would try and interact with him but he would not change.

I did a bit of research and the tank did seem colder than the previous tank on average, so I decided he needed a heater. I ran out and purchased and installed it. The heater has worked fine for the last 2 days.

I woke up this morning to discover the fish had died.

Like I said, I'm not an expert, but I really thought I was IMPROVING the conditions for the betta. More space, better lighting, better features (a much nicer cave/hole for him to hide in), water treatment, and warmer water.

Is there any obvious circumstance I overlooked? I know I must have killed this fish, I'm just at a loss on how.

Hrmmm... a few things that come to mind.

Difference in PH between the new set up tank and the old one

Nitrate or temperature shock

In this hobby.... it happens, you’re on the right step in having joined a Fishlore and seeking advice on how to better do things. From what you have explained, seems you have the correct knowledge on equipment and maintenance, time to try again. One piece of equipment I do recommend is a fresh water test kit so that you can test your tanks water parameters. Imperative for all aquarium owners.
Best of luck.

 

[KimberlyG]

I'm just curious as to what the "Drops" actually were? What were the ingredients? I'm sorry you lost that battle but as long as you have a brand new tank, new filter, etc.... Would you get another betta and stick around with us? People here can tell you how to cycle it first before you bring it home.

 

[TotalFishFailure]

Thank you all for your responses. I do plan to try again and have the kids pick out a new betta. And I've already ordered a PH/Ammonia test combo kit to ensure the levels are safe before the next fish goes in.

As for the drops, I used Tetra Aquasafe for Bettas.

In terms of acclimation, I let the tank settle for a few hours after I used the Aquasafe. I made the transfer process as smooth as I could, taking the fish into a container in the first tank and transferring into the new tank, with all the water (at the time) being the same temperature.

I'm realizing I SHOULD have cycled the tank beforehand (I was unaware how important it is and when my wife set up the first tank, she certainly did not perform those steps).

 

[Lynn78too]

Unfortunately if you had just moved the old filter into the new tank he probably would have been ok. I'm not sure how you were keeping his water at a consistent temperature before but if it was always room temperature then the change in tank really shouldn't have made a difference in water temperature. Keep the heater though for your new fish friend.

You said last summer, do you mean 3 months ago last summer or a year ago in 2017 last summer? If it was in 2017, the fish is now (was) a year older and might not be able to handle the stress of the changes.

Everyone makes mistakes when it comes to fish keeping, it's hard when it's at the fish's expense but it happens. Good luck.

 

[KimberlyG]

Thank you all for your responses. I do plan to try again and have the kids pick out a new betta. And I've already ordered a PH/Ammonia test combo kit to ensure the levels are safe before the next fish goes in.

As for the drops, I used Tetra Aquasafe for Bettas.

In terms of acclimation, I let the tank settle for a few hours after I used the Aquasafe. I made the transfer process as smooth as I could, taking the fish into a container in the first tank and transferring into the new tank, with all the water (at the time) being the same temperature.

I'm realizing I SHOULD have cycled the tank beforehand (I was unaware how important it is and when my wife set up the first tank, she certainly did not perform those steps).

Glad to hear you haven't given up! Ammonia doesn't discriminate between exotic and common fish. It's deadly for all.
As far as your wife's approach. I have been around so long that we used to keep bettas in vases with plants sticking out of the top. I have no idea how I was able to keep them for 4 or 5 years but that the what the usual life span was. Not heated, not filtered. I'm clueless. I have more problems now in a heated, filtered tank. The bettas back then were just veil tails. Now with my double half moons and my rose tails, I have to be super attentive. I think that maybe that much finnage takes a toll on the fish. I struggle to keep them as long as I did the veil tails but those are the ones I love. (My plakats and females are no problem what so ever)

 

[_IceFyre_]

Sorry to hear that your fish died.
I’d say it’s bad luck. 3 days in an uncycled tank without water changes will certainly not kill a healthy betta if everything else is in check, which it sounds like it was.
Could be a combination of things like an underlying illness, the stress from the move, maybe the gravel or decor caused a PH swing, etc.

 

[Lucy]

Welcome to FishLore!
I'm sorry about your fish. I don't have anything to add to what the others suggestion except you should change your user name.
We've all lost fish and it doesn't make you a failure.

 

[TotalFishFailure]

Hi, I'm really sorry about your loss. You did do the right thing. Moving fish from one tank to another is very stressful for them, I had one get so stressed it developed Dropsy.
Did you acclimate your betta at all? If so, how? Also, was there any decor or hiding places in the new tank, and if so, what?
As for cycling, it does need to be addressed for all fish. Most bettas will survive the process, but it often leaves them in a worse state. The difference is that exotic fish will be dead in a day, though a stressed fish is more likely to die from the cyclint process.

In terms of acclimation,

Unfortunately if you had just moved the old filter into the new tank he probably would have been ok. I'm not sure how you were keeping his water at a consistent temperature before but if it was always room temperature then the change in tank really shouldn't have made a difference in water temperature. Keep the heater though for your new fish friend.

You said last summer, do you mean 3 months ago last summer or a year ago in 2017 last summer? If it was in 2017, the fish is now (was) a year older and might not be able to handle the stress of the changes.

Everyone makes mistakes when it comes to fish keeping, it's hard when it's at the fish's expense but it happens. Good luck.

Yes, it was summer of 2017.

 

[PonzLL]

I think it was likely the combination of all of these:

- Stress from moving tanks
- Stress from temperature change
- Stress from likely change in pH, gH, kH, and TDS when you went from an aged tank to what I assume was a tank with all brand new water
- Stress from moving into an uncycled tank

Sorry about your fish. You're in a good place to learn about the next one, and it sounds like you'll have a good place to start him out!

 

[allllien]

Glad to hear you haven't given up! Ammonia doesn't discriminate between exotic and common fish. It's deadly for all.
As far as your wife's approach. I have been around so long that we used to keep bettas in vases with plants sticking out of the top. I have no idea how I was able to keep them for 4 or 5 years but that the what the usual life span was. Not heated, not filtered. I'm clueless. I have more problems now in a heated, filtered tank. The bettas back then were just veil tails. Now with my double half moons and my rose tails, I have to be super attentive. I think that maybe that much finnage takes a toll on the fish. I struggle to keep them as long as I did the veil tails but those are the ones I love. (My plakats and females are no problem what so ever)

They're not as hardy as they once were -now they're bred on mass due to increased popularity, breeders generally care more about fancy types they can get more money for than breeding hardy/quality fish. There's also a rise in Bettas with tumors nowadays. Same goes for guppies, they're nothing like they used to be.

 

[Iverg1]

Welcome to FishLore!
I'm sorry about your fish. I don't have anything to add to what the others suggestion except you should change your user name.
We've all lost fish and it doesn't make you a failure.

YES!! You are NOT A FAILURE. Everyone makes mistakes but yu can stand back up and not make the same mistakes again. You learn from them. But in this case it was NOT YOUR FAULT. You did everything right

 

[Guanchy]

Welcome to the forum! you have gotten great advice here so I won't add anything else but you did the right thing by getting a better tank set up for the betta and by joining Fishlore. I hope you don't get dscourage and get all the information you need and once you know what to do get another fish for the family!

 

[VeiltailKing]

Welcome to the forum! Please don’t be discouraged. All of us have made mistakes and I can guarantee you that a lot of us have been in your exact situation. The more mistakes you make the more you learn

 

[wrs2]

Glad to hear you haven't given up! Ammonia doesn't discriminate between exotic and common fish. It's deadly for all.
As far as your wife's approach. I have been around so long that we used to keep bettas in vases with plants sticking out of the top. I have no idea how I was able to keep them for 4 or 5 years but that the what the usual life span was. Not heated, not filtered. I'm clueless. I have more problems now in a heated, filtered tank. The bettas back then were just veil tails. Now with my double half moons and my rose tails, I have to be super attentive. I think that maybe that much finnage takes a toll on the fish. I struggle to keep them as long as I did the veil tails but those are the ones I love. (My plakats and females are no problem what so ever)

Isn't that the truth? My old Bettas used to live longer. I have a coworker who keeps a betta in a bowl and she said she has had it for 3 years! Mine all live in filtered and heated planted tanks and I have such a hard time keeping them alive! I've decided to move them over to Walstad method tanks and they are doing much better currently!

And to the Op don't feel bad! I lost multiple bettas to whisker shrimp and I didn't know it was the shrimp eating them, so I kept replacing the fish thinking it was bad stock from the store. So we all make mistakes, and get discouraged, but don't let it stop you! Fish keeping is fun, when t's not stressful haha.

 

[Dch48]

I have read other stories about Bettas that had lived in smaller containers for a year or more and then became very stressed and sometimes died when they were moved to a larger one even if conditions seemed perfect. It just may have been too much of a shock for him and he didn't know what to make of the increased space. Some I read about perked back up when they were returned to their smaller home. It could also have been because of the rise in temperature (due to the heater) from what he had become accustomed to. A new young fish introduced into the 3 gallon tank should do better.