Q: SK wrote: I came across your website by the recommendation of a few people. My betta seems to be having a pseudo-unique health problem. He seems constipated but really grossly, but he swims as energetically as always and his appetite hasn’t waned in the slightest. He is however, grotesquely swollen. For the past week, I’ve reduced his regular diet and given him greens like … [Read more...] about Betta with Severely Swollen Abdomen
Yucky Floating Debris in Betta Tank
Photo provided by reader JE. Here you can see all the floating debris suspended in the water. Is this detritus or something else? Q: JE wrote, I hate to be a bother but I can’t find any literature that describes what on earth is going on with my Betta Elton. I’ve had him since October. He was a gift (from walmart) so we have had issues regarding fin rot. It wasn’t too … [Read more...] about Yucky Floating Debris in Betta Tank
Darting Betta Stuck on One Side
Glisten, originally uploaded by liyah73. Q: MM wrote, Hi…I bought a betta about 2 months ago. He was swimming on his side so I bought him on purpose so they wouldn’t just “flush” him before he had the chance to be treated…I treated him with Maracyn-2 and in a matter of a day or 2, he was 100% better…I DID notice that one of his gills never fully opened…not as much as the … [Read more...] about Darting Betta Stuck on One Side
Euthanizing Aquarium Fish
Fish Out Of Water: DOA, originally uploaded by mybluemuse. Q: TSM wrote, How do I know when I should put down my betta? He has all the obvious signs of dropsy (bloated abdomen and pine coning scales) and is laying on the bottom of the tank gasping for air. I feel terrible watching him suffer. Which is the best and most humane method for euthanizing my fish? A: Determining … [Read more...] about Euthanizing Aquarium Fish
Even Filtration in a Divided Tank
Were big bettas, originally uploaded by liyah73. Q: NB wrote, I’m setting up a divided 10 gal for my two males. I have a store bought mesh tank divider, which should work fine but I’m afraid the filter is only going to clean one side of the tank. The holes in the mesh are so small I don’t see how it’s going to work for the other side. Is this going to be a problem? A: … [Read more...] about Even Filtration in a Divided Tank
New Male Bettas Have a Difficult Adjustment
Q: KW wrote, Your website and blog are very useful to a first time betta owner, but I am having trouble deciding whether or not my betta is sick. I bough two bettas five days ago and have noticed some changes. When I first got them, Redfish was very active, swimming around a lot and flaring at himself. Bluefish, on the other hand, kept his fins tightly pulled in and sat … [Read more...] about New Male Bettas Have a Difficult Adjustment
Advice on Getting Betta Advice
green & blue, originally uploaded by mivella. Thoughts and tips on finding good aquarium advice in stores and online. In the last couple of weeks I have gotten a lot of emails from readers who have gotten false and even dangerous advice from their local fish store (LFS) and through the WEB regarding the proper care of their Betta fish. As someone who is constantly … [Read more...] about Advice on Getting Betta Advice
Changing Color Around Betta’s Gills
Close up of betta gills by EM Photo of fin rot provided by EMQ: EM wrote, Hi Christie- Thanks so much for the website! It has been so helpful to me already, but my poor Betta Warren seems quite sick, so I’m writing for a little more help. It turns out the pet store we got Warren from is somewhat disreputable. All the Bettas looked a little ragged and Warren looked the … [Read more...] about Changing Color Around Betta’s Gills
Betta Gulping Underwater (Yawning)
Photo of Phoenix submitted by SS Q: SS wrote, Hi Christie, As somebody new to bettas, I just wanted to say that your site is one of the best built, most comprehensible and user-friendly that I’ve found! Keep up the good work! I have a (hopefully) quick question for you about what appears to be ‘gulping’ by my betta. I haven’t had him very long (it’s my first one) and I … [Read more...] about Betta Gulping Underwater (Yawning)
Betta Won’t Blow Bubble Nest
Blush, originally uploaded by Gankaku. Q: Anon wrote, I have had my betta for almost 6 weeks now and he still hasn’t blown a bubble nest. He is in a 5 gal with a filter but the filter is set very low and it doesn’t create much current at all. My understanding is that males will blow bubble nests when they are healthy. Mine has good color, eats well and is pretty active. Why … [Read more...] about Betta Won’t Blow Bubble Nest