Bubbles (betta) has popeye! Need Advice!

Originally Posted by PurrPaws

I've read that bettas don't live that long. I've also read that they are usually already a year old when you get them in a pet shop because that is when their fins are fully matured. I saw some female bettas at Petsmart. Does anyone ever keep females for pets or just for breeding? They don't have the big fins of the males, but I still thought they were neat.

Oooooh, a shark! Is it salt water?

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A red tail shark is a fresh water fish //// not a true shark they are lovely ...

Originally Posted by sharky

A red tail shark is a fresh water fish //// not a true shark

they are lovely ...

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Shows how much I know about fish Essayons, if you have a pic, I would love to see your red-tail shark.

I need to renew my premium account with picturetrail but here's a link to what the RTBS looks like:
http://www.aqua-fish.net/imgs/fish/137.jpg

Originally Posted by Essayons89

I need to renew my premium account with picturetrail but here's a link to what the RTBS looks like:
http://www.aqua-fish.net/imgs/fish/137.jpg

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Wow! That is one neat fish! I can see why they call it a "shark" It's hard to tell from the pic, how big is it?

Glad Bubbles is going to be ok Rachel!!

Sorry bout your Betta though, Brian that fish is pretty neat!

Originally Posted by katiemae1277

Glad Bubbles is going to be ok Rachel!!

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Thanks, katie. He is doing just fantastic.

Originally Posted by PurrPaws

Wow! That is one neat fish! I can see why they call it a "shark" It's hard to tell from the pic, how big is it?

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Thanks. The one in the pic isn't mine but they will get anywhere between 5-6" in length. The bare minimum for one of them would be a 36" tank but I think that the 48" tanks are better. It's also better to keep them one to a tank as they can be aggressive towards their own kind. Mine is around 5".

Originally Posted by katiemae1277

Sorry bout your Betta though, Brian

that fish is pretty neat!

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Thanks. I like the "sharks" but there a few freshwater fish sold as "sharks" that have no business being in the hobby due to their large size and are best left to "specialist hobbyists". One of them is commonly sold as the Irridescent shark and can reach an adult length of over three feet. Sadly, the vast majority of them never reach that size because most people can't properly provide for their needs as far as space is concerned. I know that I can't. This fish is also the smallest species in its family.

Since you did say that you do water changes regularly and that you've already had the betta for several months, it may not be a problem with your nitrogen cycle. Unless you have something at the bottom of the tank, rotting and producing tons of ammonia.
It may just be the water you using the perform your water changes. Have you been using RO water or do you use tap water with dechlorinator? Alot of times chlorine or other trace substances in tap water will errode your fish's immune system and leave it open to infections.

Originally Posted by haitwun

Since you did say that you do water changes regularly and that you've already had the betta for several months, it may not be a problem with your nitrogen cycle. Unless you have something at the bottom of the tank, rotting and producing tons of ammonia.
It may just be the water you using the perform your water changes. Have you been using RO water or do you use tap water with dechlorinator? Alot of times chlorine or other trace substances in tap water will errode your fish's immune system and leave it open to infections.

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I use tap water treated with a dechlorinator. It is specifically labeled for bettas, although I'm not sure bettas need a different dechlorinator than, say, goldfish.

I think maybe his water was getting too cold during the day when we're gone and at night when we turned the heat down, and that may have affected his immune system. I have been leaving his light on all the time now and he is more active. Still, I don't think it can hurt to step up the water changes a bit. Changing the water more will also help to keep the gravel cleaner.

I have another question for you fish experts. I bought Bubbles some freeze-dried brine shrimp. I like the freeze-dried food for convenience. I bought Hikari because I read that is a good brand. But they are big cubes. Do I just cut a little piece off to feed to him? A whole cube is obviously way more than he'll be able to eat.

Soak a small amount in water before serving..

Originally Posted by sharky

Soak a small amount in water before serving..

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So cut a little piece off, soak it in a little water, then drop it in his tank?

I give him bloodworms, too, but they aren't cubes, so I just drop in one worm at a time.

yup .. I no longer use freeze dried cause of possible choking issues but soaking makes it safer