Woke Up To 1 Missing Neon Tetra

Hey guys unfortunately this Morning I counted one less tetra.. I spent 10 minutes desperately looking for the missing one.. as I got ready for work. I came back to my room and noticed half of a neon on a leaf of an Amazon sword.. the other half .. in my bettas mouth . She spit out the head while in a corner of my tank . I scooped up the dead fish parts.. and was wondering what could have killed my neon.. my water... Or my betta? Could she have spotted a dead fish and eaten it? Ugh I don't know how to answer my poor tetras death any help? Oh and I should add I have been dosing seachem paragaurd 3.5 ml for my tank (5ml = 10 gallons ) mines 7 gallons. I've dosed once daily for 3 days now..

 

The betta could have definitely killed it imo. Also bettas need warmer water than neons, if the neons were being kept too warm that could have shortened their lifespan significantly.

 

The betta could have definitely killed it imo. Also bettas need warmer water than neons, if the neons were being kept too warm that could have shortened their lifespan significantly.

My water temperature is at a constant 74 degrees or so. does this mean I should remove my betta fish?

 

That's much too cold for a betta. I would get a 5-10 gallon for the betta and keep him alone at 80f

 

That's much too cold for a betta. I would get a 5-10 gallon for the betta and keep him alone at 80f

My heater is a preset heater neon tetra but its in the green zone in my thermometer. Do you know if adjustable heaters? Without the preset

 

My heater is a pretty set heater neon tetra but its in the green zone in my thermometer. Do you know if adjustable heaters? Without the pre set

The heater that came with my 10 gallon is adjustable. It's top fin brand. I'd imagine there are others available as well.

 

The heater that came with my 10 gallon is adjustable. It's top fin brand. I'd imagine there are others available as well.

I guess I will have to buy another tank just for my betta ugh it just frustrating that she killed that poor neon.. they got along well for a week so this was a surprise.. and I've been treating for ich just in case.. I'm not sure they have ich but my betta was acting funny.. scratching itself it looked like.

 

Betta's and neons definitely don't mix for a few reasons as you've found out.

Ich is 100% unmistakable as it looks like specs of salt on your fish. If you see white spots/specs that are raised, that's ich. Bettas will rub on things, that's not unusual. HOWEVER, with the temperature so low the betta could definitely develop health problems. They are a tropical fish and prefer 78-82 (80 would be perfect).

Ive had bettas in community tanks for 8+ months before a problem arose. A week isn't long.

Good luck!

 

Betta's and neons definitely don't mix for a few reasons as you've found out.

Ich is 100% unmistakable as it looks like specs of salt on your fish. If you see white spots/specs that are raised, that's ich. Bettas will rub on things, that's not unusual. HOWEVER, with the temperature so low the betta could definitely develop health problems. They are a tropical fish and prefer 78-82 (80 would be perfect).

Ive had bettas in community tanks for 8+ months before a problem arose. A week isn't long.

Good luck!

I haven't seen white specs All my fish but one small speck is on her side for a while now almost like a peeled scale.