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How did my betta fish die?

Jackson scodback

Junior Member
Jan 25, 2019
11
0
6
I went for a full water change 30 mins ago,when I put my fish in it's tank it did as always..active and trying to hide.i ignored it and went to kitchen and after I came back I found it laying in the bottom with open gills and it's neck is like up,I don't know what have I done wrong but did it hit it's neck when trying to hide between shells?1548454532108901233892.jpg
 

lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
60,085
10,559
126
Either thermal shock or ph shock is my guess. Complete water changes aren't good for fish. You have to be more careful. I'd do a half water change. If your tank isn't big enough to siphon, dump some of the water out, and mix it with the new batch after letting the new water sit to evaporate chlorine.
 
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BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
66,289
14,708
146
Too much water change, didn’t dechlorinate, or used the wrong product. Letting water sit won’t really do the trick. Too many water utilities using chloramine...chlorine and ammonia...both are toxic to fish. Treating for chlorine leaves the ammonia...
 
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JEDIYoda

Lifer
Jul 13, 2005
33,986
3,321
126
Too much water change, didn’t dechlorinate, or used the wrong product. Letting water sit won’t really do the trick. Too many water utilities using chloramine...chlorine and ammonia...both are toxic to fish. Treating for chlorine leaves the ammonia...
Actually I have over 20 - 10 gallon tanks and 2 - 50 gallon tanks and I have a custom built 100 gallon tank! Our water district adds chlorine to the water!
If you let the water sit for a day or so it will be just fine. If your water district has to add so much chlorine to the water that you need to add a de - chlorinator something is very wrong!!
 
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Jackson scodback

Junior Member
Jan 25, 2019
11
0
6
Actually I have over 20 - 10 gallon tanks and 2 - 50 gallon tanks and I have a custom built 100 gallon tank! Our water district adds chlorine to the water!
If you let the water sit for a day or so it will be just fine. If your water district has to add so much chlorine to the water that you need to add a de - chlorinator something is very wrong!!
when I read the article on the internet, they all said letting them in 26 degrees Celsius. And the water I always put was water from my filter. I turned on the boiler for the water so it's warm. U know it's winter so my hands were cold and when I washed them with plain water it got colder and when I went to sense the water I thought it was just fine but my mother found it so dang hot so..ya, I killed my fish
 

Jackson scodback

Junior Member
Jan 25, 2019
11
0
6
Either thermal shock or ph shock is my guess. Complete water changes aren't good for fish. You have to be more careful. I'd do a half water change. If your tank isn't big enough to siphon, dump some of the water out, and mix it with the new batch after letting the new water sit to evaporate chlorine.
The tank was 5.9 gallons so I think it was okay.
 

Naer

Diamond Member
Nov 28, 2013
3,479
182
106
I had a female. Apparently, I filled the water to close to the top with no cover. You don't have to guess what happened

ieFZNOp.jpg
 

lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
60,085
10,559
126
The tank was 5.9 gallons so I think it was okay.
What I was getting at is they sell siphons to vacuum gravel. What I did with a 10g tank was vacuum the gravel til half the water was gone, then top up the tank, let it sit for a bit, then put the fish back. You could probably do it with a 5.5g tank. If you had a bowl or something like that, you couldn't really use a siphon.
 

Fir

Senior member
Jan 15, 2010
484
194
116
Never buy betta fish. Always wait until the final release fish.

Trial over? :p

Full water change = max stress.
Should only be done in an emergency.
To reduce shock/stress you must make sure the temperature of the old and replacement water are identical. Use a thermometer. Touch isn't good enough. ;)
pH should also be as realistically close as possible. Ditto for general hardness (GH).
Most importantly if using water from your tap and you're on a municipal water system you MUST absolutely use a product that removes chlorine/chloramines (ex "Stress Coat", "Amquel") and has additives that help prevent loss of the fishe's protective (slime) coat.

Bettas are fairly hardy but a sharp change in pH and using unconditioned makeup water that's been sterilized with chlorine is a certain death sentence. They have a short life expectancy to begin with and keeping them in a bowl with no biological filter is rather harsh.
 

SKORPI0

Lifer
Jan 18, 2000
18,483
2,418
136
Don't worry you'll always get something betta. ;)

Top 6 Reasons Betta Fish Die

  1. Poor water conditions: Clean water is a must for any fish, especially bettas.
  2. Low water temperatures: Bettas are tropical fish and need water temps between 75 and 80°F.
  3. Overfeeding: Excess food can kill your fish.
  4. Harassment by tank mates: Aggression—both from or directed at a betta—can reduce its lifespan.
  5. Stress: Many issues can contribute to stress for your betta, including some you may have never imagined.
  6. Issues beyond your control: Illnesses and hereditary issues can also cut a fish's life short.


How to Save a Dying Betta Fish


 
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