Yet Another Fish Problem..

So, I'm going to admit. I'm a terrible fish owner, and these guys may just be my last until I manage to get a job, but for now I want to get my newest baby fixed.

I have two bettas, both going through some stressful times since I don't have the budget or equipment to make their lives easier. but my main concern is for my newest, Crowley, who recently I posted about. He got stuck in a hole from one of my tank decorations, and has been steadily going downhill ever since, despite my desperate attempts to help him. Currently he has a worsening case of fin rot, and isn't at all acting himself. He'll swim sideways sometimes, and has been starting to reject his food. Now, I did move him into a bigger tank because the one I had him in was a quarantine tank and not suppose to be used for more than maybe a couple days (It was a half gallon, and I hated keeping him in there). Unfortunately I don't have a bigger tank than a glass vase, since all of my others are contaminated, and my favorite quarantine tank is taken up by my other male betta (Who is slowly getting better after his own case of fin rot).
I do daily/every other day water changes to make sure their water is clean, and add 2 tsps of Aquarium salt to get rid of fin rot, and it's worked for my other male. However, it only seems to worsen the newest's fin rot, and since he's now losing his appetite, I suspected either bloat or stress (Which would cause the fin rot). I obviously don't know near enough to detect what other illnesses there might be going on, so any suggestions to look into would be greatly appreciated.

I'm going to tell myself off now, and at the same time inform you of the tank set up.

Do I have filters for any tanks?
No, I don't, and despite me wanting to get one, there's still the income problem.

Do I have a heater?
No, I don't have that either. I've been told to get one, and just like the situation with the filter, I can't afford it.

Do I have a 5 gallon tank?
No, I desperately need to get one, but we never go to the part of town that i'd get it from, and currently I don't think adding space to the problem is a good solution, since i'd have to overdose on any medicine instead of keeping it moderate.

What diet are you doing?
I used to do bloodworms until I realized 4-5 months ago that wasn't at all a healthy diet, and switched to pellets.

How old would you say the fish is?
Maybe a year? Year and a half? I'm not sure since it was a pet store fish.

How long have you had him?
Half a year.

What brand is the salt, and where did you get it?
It's API Aquarium Salt, and I got it from a nearby pet store called 'Friends of Nature' in Wisconsin.

Could it be Ich/White spot disease?
Honestly I had no idea. I haven't seen any obvious white spots on his body other than normal markings, but I do have Ich cure just in case..

How often do you clean the tanks?
As I said before, daily/every other day.

Any other questions I need to cover? Please tell me, it's deeply appreciated.
And yes, I know not to be so foolish later on, and that I should have done more research beforehand.

 

I have a fin rot problem too if there is any way you think you could get a heater in the future, I recommend you do that before anything else. Clean, warm water is one of the best things you can do for your betta when it's sick, and because you have no filter, the daily water changes already give them the clean water they need. I'm no expert on fish diseases, but because you said your fish is swimming weirdly and not eating, I think maybe it has swim bladder. You can treat it by not feeding your fish for a few days, and then feeding them a pea, but you might want to do a little more research.

 

I have a fin rot problem too if there is any way you think you could get a heater in the future, I recommend you do that before anything else. Clean, warm water is one of the best things you can do for your betta when it's sick, and because you have no filter, the daily water changes already give them the clean water they need. I'm no expert on fish diseases, but because you said your fish is swimming weirdly and not eating, I think maybe it has swim bladder. You can treat it by not feeding your fish for a few days, and then feeding them a pea, but you might want to do a little more research.

I had a small feeling about that one too.. thank you for giving a second opinion, and I'll get to it straightaway.. I'm sorry about your little friend! I can sympathize greatly.. I lost one of my own to a melafix overdose, and heavy fin rot.. (Back in the days when I had literally no idea what I was doing, and no resources to make sure I could at least try keeping them alive). It was terrible to watch..

 

Not a good idea to keep fish if you can't afford the things they need to stay healthy and happy. Buying a fish isn't as simple as buying a fish. It's buying everything they need to survive and everything they might need in the future if sicknesses pop up. The fish itself will always be the least of your expenses.

...Anyway. Bettas should never be kept in vases. They need proper tanks. Also, it's nearly impossible to establish a nitrogen cycle without a filter and a properly sized tank. Without an established cycle, bad bacteria will be the crowned ruler of your water and WILL make your fish sick.

What size are your tanks?

Edit: About the diet. Pellets only aren't the best way to go because bettas also need varied diets. Frozen/live bloodworms, brine shrimp, Omega One flakes, etc. They should have a whole menu to get all the proper nutrients they need.

 

Not a good idea to keep fish if you can't afford the things they need to stay healthy and happy. Buying a fish isn't as simple as buying a fish. It's buying everything they need to survive and everything they might need in the future if sicknesses pop up. The fish itself will always be the least of your expenses.

...Anyway. Bettas should never be kept in vases. They need proper tanks. Also, it's nearly impossible to establish a nitrogen cycle without a filter and a properly sized tank. Without an established cycle, bad bacteria will be the crowned ruler of your water and WILL make your fish sick.

What size are your tanks?

Edit: About the diet. Pellets only aren't the best way to go because bettas also need varied diets. Frozen/live bloodworms, brine shrimp, Omega One flakes, etc. They should have a whole menu to get all the proper nutrients they need.

I'm already aware, and couldn't have done anything anyway, since I was a fool and none of the research I got was solid. Kinda hard for a child to understand things without being properly explained, and having already bought it before problems came up. Not to mention, I didn't have the expenses as before. The tank I first bought came with a filter but no heater. Thing is, the heater was too strong and almost sucked the poor things up, so I didn't dare use it. I'm not saying i'm in the right, i'm already way farther into beating myself up about it, and like I stated before this will most likely be the last time I take care of fish until I get a job and can actually spend my own money. I'm only 15, so that's kinda hard..

Anyway. I know they shouldn't, but it's the only thing I have right now, and they're about a gallon each, so it's only for quarantine and not at all meant as a permanent home. I plan on upgrading them to 5 gallons if I can get them through this. I am fully aware that the cycle can hurt them, but I currently can't do much.

I'm aware of the diet too, but they are insanely picky, and tend to choose which they want. I don't fancy fasting them just to get them to eat. I'll still try, but it's not solid.

That's all I can give you, since there really was no other questions, and I kinda need help on the illnesses instead of just being told off for things I already know and am beating myself up about.. Please...? I'm not trying to offend, but i'm taking most of this as hostile and just want thoughts on what I may be able to do.

 

I do apologize if I sounded abrasive. We've all been victI'm to misinformation/conflicting information at some point and I'm sorry if I came off that way. Aly's_Betta was right about the swim bladder disease with Crowley floating on his side. The pea and fasting method really is the only way to treat such a disease (make sure to cook the pea and cut it in half). For the fin rot, aquarium salt which I see if what you've been doing is the best way to go. Just make sure you keep on the 100% water changes before adding more salt.

 

I do apologize if I sounded abrasive. We've all been victI'm to misinformation/conflicting information at some point and I'm sorry if I came off that way. Aly's_Betta was right about the swim bladder disease with Crowley floating on his side. The pea and fasting method really is the only way to treat such a disease (make sure to cook the pea and cut it in half). For the fin rot, aquarium salt which I see if what you've been doing is the best way to go. Just make sure you keep on the 100% water changes before adding more salt.

Mmh, it's perfectly fine. I honestly get a tad bit offensive when i'm unsure of what the other party means. Yeah, information can be a bit of a pain, but at least we understand each other now..

Alright, with both confirmations on the pea, I'll start to go through with it, and make sure to have the full water change ready beforehand. Thank you, and my greatest apologies if I too sounded standoffish.

 

Mmh, it's perfectly fine. I honestly get a tad bit offensive when i'm unsure of what the other party means. Yeah, information can be a bit of a pain, but at least we understand each other now..

Alright, with both confirmations on the pea, I'll start to go through with it, and make sure to have the full water change ready beforehand. Thank you, and my greatest apologies if I too sounded standoffish.

That's okay! You were perfectly within reason haha. Healing fish is practically a game of waiting and requires more patience than anything. Stay calm, you're doing the best you can with what you have. Good luck with your bettas and keep us updated.

 

That's okay! You were perfectly within reason haha. Healing fish is practically a game of waiting and requires more patience than anything. Stay calm, you're doing the best you can with what you have. Good luck with your bettas and keep us updated.

Thank you guys tons! I'll be sure to let you know if something happens!

 

Do you have some other fish keeping friends? Given the situation, I think it would be best if you can maybe ask help from them? a spare heater or tank to borrow? or maybe asking them for help to temporary help keep your fish, while you get sufficient money to get some of the basic equipment?

 

Do you have some other fish keeping friends? Given the situation, I think it would be best if you can maybe ask help from them? a spare heater or tank to borrow? or maybe asking them for help to temporary help keep your fish, while you get sufficient money to get some of the basic equipment?

Unfortunately I don't. All I have is my grandfather who owned a 50 gallon tank.. Thing is, he sold most of it, and had things like Lionfish and other big saltwater swimmers, plus the filter and heaters would be way to big and powerful for a small tank. All he was able to give me for future tanks was large pieces of coral, lava rock, and huge exotic seashells from the shores of Guam.. Nothing I can use to help the fish. (everything was taken over 30-40 years ago, when it wasn't illegal to ship that stuff)

 

My precious baby died this morning... He had stopped eating for at least a week and a half, and stayed either directly at the bottom, or floating at the top of his tanks.. He rejected all treatment I tried giving him, and for this I can't help but feel guilty I didn't do things right. We thought 'well maybe he got hurt internally after getting stuck and wedging himself out.. and there was nothing we COULD do..' For now.. No more fish. Not after that. Not at least until I have real equipment. For now I'll wait until my other baby either gets better, or leaves me too.. And then that'll be the end until I get an actual job. I'll move my focus to the things that I want to make my personal job, and work with reptiles, and artistry.. Until we speak again.. Here are some photos of my color-changing boy, who was too young to die.. Goodbye Crowley. I wish I could have been a better owner.