Why do my betta fish keep dying?

Question

me & 2 of my friends all got beta fish a couple weeks ago. we all got the fish from the same place, the exact same food, bowl, water conditioner, & aquarium rocks, & clean out their tanks & feed them as often as needed. their fish are healthy & normal, but mine died within a week because it wasn't eating. i thought i just got a sickly fish, so i got a new one & it ate & was normal for about a week but then it died too. what am i doing wrong???

Answer 1

Many folks think that betta fish can be kept healthy in small containers.  The truth of the matter is that they do best in larger tanks - minimum 5 gallons - with a proper filter.  They create waste like other fish, and swimming around all day in their own filth is not the healthiest way to keep them, even though lots of people do keep them that way.  If you over feed, that adds to the waste problem.  Imagine being stuck in a large bath tub or small pool, having your food thrown in twice a day or so, peeing in the water, etc.  How would you like it?  It's not healthy for you, and it is not healthy for bettas.

You may have over fed, you may have gotten fish that were already compromised from being kept too long in a small container at the pet store, you may not have changed the water as often as your friends.  Bottom line, research the "tank cycling" process, learn about keeping fish in a healthy way by providing a larger tank and filter set up, and when in doubt, feed lightly.

Good luck.

Answer 2

If your house is too cold, the betta will not survive in a bowl.

Technically, any fish should be in an aquarium, not a bowl. They should have aeration and filtration and plants. Betta like to have "furniture" in their homes, so they can hide and explore their area.

The water in your bowl is probably "cycling" right now, so either the ammonia or nitrites are high. This is not good for any fish. Do they have any markings on them before they go? Red streaks mean ammonia poisoning.

My suggestion would be to ditch the bowl and buy one of those little 5 gallon aquarium kits. Go online and search "fishless cycling" and go through the steps until your water tests safe. Then go get a new fish, and he will stay with you a very very long time.

Also make sure nobody is putting anything in with the fish. Avoid spraying air freshener, hairspray, etc. near the bowl. Thoroughly wash your hands anytime you feed, clean, or put your hands in his water for any reason. Lotions, perfumes, anything with chemicals will harm your fish.

My first fishies kept dying, and I eventually figured out it was because I wasn't washing my hands before cleaning the tank. :(

Answer 3

You need a better betta fish.

Lots of reasons.  Overfeeding is one. (Fish overeat normally)

Shock due to temperature change, change of water, morons banging the tank, too much heat, not enough heat.

Contaminated water is another.

Really, you should get a book and read about it. There is a lot more to keeping fish than meets the eye.