Help my betta jumped out of the bowl. I found him on the floor still alive and put him in his bowl. He’s on the bottom kind of breathing heavily. He’s not on his side or anything. What can I do?
Additional Notes:
Bettas certainly have proven themselves time and time again as capable jumpers. I recommend always covering Betta tanks with a tank hood or mesh cover. Pay special attention to areas that remain uncovered like the space around filters and heaters. I once lost a beautiful white Betta when he jumped out of a hole the size of a quarter. I have since taped over all exposed holes or have fitted them with pieces of plastic that I cut to fit snuggly around protrusions.
Often Bettas jump simply because they can but it may also be a sign that your water quality isn’t what it needs to be. If you have a jumper follow up with the usual water tests. Check your ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH. Rather then jumping some bettas will hoist themselves on top of a leaf or other floating decoration. If you notice this behavior double check your water parameters to rule out poor water quality as the culprit. Often the reason is benign but it’s best to know for certain if your Betta is trying to tell you something.
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Just this morning I experienced the same situation with my betta, Wilson. Luckily I rescued him shortly after the jump, and he seems to be doing okay for now. Some advice – when I first tried to get him off the floor and back into the bowl, it was very stressful. Any time anything would touch him (e.g., fingers, net), he would flop/jump again. He would go really far across the floor. This made it basically impossible to get him with my hands or a net. Also, I was worried about picking him up with my fingers, I did not want to pinch his body or his fins. Finally, I got the idea to put dishtowels and cloth napkins down all around him. I also got them wet in his aquarium water. Then, I poured water very slowly on the ground next to him, which made him flop again. He flopped right onto a dishtowel, and it was easy to pick up the corners so that he was completely contained – and then I unfolded the fabric over the tank. Also, I had a piece of mesh over his bowl secured with a rubber band – and he still somehow managed to jump out in the tiny sliver that was not fully covered.
I got a Betta last week. He is a jumper. I have a covered 10 gallon aquarium with hiding places, filter, plants, a heater, and good water quality. I check it every other day. My Betta flings itself onto the side of the tank until it is stuck 2/3's out of the water plastered on the corner of the tank, breathing air. He has done this now for four days straight. I splash water until he gets unstuck. Then he happily swims around for a while and eats. Then he throws himself up on the wall 3/4s out of the water again. Will he damage himself by doing this?
That happened too with my pet betta, Cherry Blossom, when I was a kid, because of a stroke of bad luck. My mom put her in her little Petco container and got my other betta out of his tank (we tried to breed) and when she came back to check on her she had JUMPED OUT THROUGH A PINKY-SIZED HOLE and was on our table flopping around. Mom got her back in her little container just in time. Some advice for you is to lower the water level. Bettas can jump up to 2 inches in the air, so don't fill the container all the way to the top. Also, consider getting a lid so you don't have to worry about tiny gaps.
Best of luck!
Today I experienced what it was like to lose a betta. I have two BEAUTIFUL bettas – a female, VaneStar, and a male, Blue Night Shimmer. Anyway, I was sitting in my room doing some stuff. The next thing I knew was that I had stepped on something cold, wet, slimy and soft. I pulled my foot away and examined the ‘thing’. Not a cockaroach, a fish!!! It was VaneStar! I went into historics and by the time I got VaneStar back into the tank…….. It was too late to save her………………………..
Awww :( So sorry for you. If you get another betta, make sure the tank is about 3.5 inches filled from the top, as bettas like to jump. Maybe get a lid. I almost lost a betta to that, so I feel your pain.
my betta, spikes, jumped from his tank and is now acting odd. he is VERY skittish, and his body bends. will he be okay?
Mine is doing that too...I'm so concerned
The fins of my betta are plastered to its body. He is also acting very odd. I'm wondering the same thing.
I lost my awesome betta, Harold, yesterday. I keep him at my desk at work and he gets really excited when the lights are turned on in the morning. Well, the day before I had added water to his bowl and filled it up too much. I think he got excited and accidentally jumped out of the bowl. The really tragic thing was, unlike most mornings, I didn’t go directly to my desk for about 45 minutes. When I found him, he was dried up but still alive. I put him back in his bowl and he tried vainly to swim a couple of times and died. It was horribly traumatic!! If I had just walked to my desk as usual I would have found him and saved him. I feel so guilty.
Same experience- when I clean my betta's bowl, I scoop him into a cup measure, and today I had him in there a bit longer than usual. He must have gotten uncomfortable, because he jumped right off of the counter onto the kitchen floor. I got him up right away, and aside from being (understandably) skittish for a few hours, he seems alright. I certainly hope I didn't hurt him in the frantic effort to get him back in his bowl, though.
This isnt about a betta but I could'nt find any info relating to my problem. I was out of town for a few days and my bala shark jumped out of the tank when my house sitter was feeding him. She had a really hard time getting a hold of him and he made his way to the hardwood floor where he managed to cause severe damage to both of his eyes. Since I've been back I have been adding malafix to the tank which has helped him a lot, he has his color back now. The only problem is he cant see. I'm afraid he's going to starve to death, anyone have any ideas? Thank you
no way he will live sharks have an inceredable sense of smell
A bala shark technically isn't a shark, but you are right he will live
HELP My betta jumped out of my tank! I found him a few minutes later. Some scales were damaged and he sits at the bottom breathing. I put Nutrafin which claims to reduce stress. Is there anything else I can do? And will he make it?
Please cover the top of your tank or bowl!! Bettas will jump!!!! (I am scared to let my tank cover open even while cleaning or feeding, becoz my betta will jump thinking that it is food! (Hes never fallen out though, thankfully!)
I had a beautiful Blue and red Betta, He was wonderful to watch on my computer desk at home. However tonight i came home from work and did my usual night time things and put my son to bed, I sat down at my computer and noticed he wasn't swimming around ??? Alas I found him dry as a bone on the desk top next to the tank. He must have jumped out during the day whilst i was at work. RIP Mr Betta we will miss your beauty :(
my beautifol betta awesome jumped out on a plastic bag she is swimming around just fine and seems to be fine you guys think she will be okay :(