Mysterious Betta Fish Deaths?

Question

Two of my 8 bettas died mysteriously ... I need some help.
(1) They died very quickly. One day, they were eating like pigs, then the next, they would not eat anything and stay at the bottom. And on the following day, they died.
(2) All of my other bettas are happy and fine, and I treat them all the same way. They have their individual 2- or 3-gallon filtered tanks that are cycled (ammonia/nitrite reading 0 daily for several weeks now). I do a 50% water change every week. I use filtered water (with Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Tap Water Filter) with the recommended amount of Electro Right and Ph Adjuster (for ph of 7.0). I have the thermostat set at 80F. I feed them primarily Hikari Bio Gold Betta pellets, with freeze dried brine shrimp and bloodworm thrown in once or twice a week for variety. So I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong.
Initially, I was feeding 5 pellets once a day. Now I do only 3, just because I can't think of anything else I could be doing wrong.
What's going on?

Answer 1

Most likely they died of shock if this occurred soon after a water change. Whether due to temp or pH I can't be sure. You should avoid the 50% water changes, and the electrolyte/pH stuff. Bettas don't need it. They can live in pH ranges of 6-8, and KH from 0 to 25. As long as they don't experience rapid changes, or chlorine tap water is fine. Every experienced betta breeder I know uses tap.



As a biologist I'm pretty down on any water treatment that isn't absolutely needed. Add anything to your water is a big risk as there are often secondary effects to it your aren't aware.



In individual 2-3 gallon filtered tanks you should be doing a 10% weekly water change via a gravel vacuum. As a test I didn't clean my 5 gallon betta tanks for 4 weeks. It was only at the 4 week mark I detected more than a very slight amount of nitrates. If you are removing crap from the gravel you won't need to remove much water. The biological filter will remove the ammonia, and convert it to nitrates. The nitrates won't build up very fast, and even non hardy fish can take a lot of it. Bettas can take massive amounts. (Based on testing friend's tanks.)

Answer 2

Well it sounds like you're taking good care of your Bettas. The only thing that stood out to me was the use of the pH Adjuster. PH Adjuster isn't really needed in most cases and usually causes more harm then good. Bettas can adapt well to a variety of pH levels so long as they are stable. Depending on what your pH and carbonate hardness levels are you could be causing your pH to fluctuate severely and quickly. After a couple of days the pH will go back to where is was originally anyway. These quick fluctuations to 7.0 and back again can cause pH shock. The symptoms of pH shock are just as you described ending in sudden, unexplainable death.



Test your tap water's pH. As long as it's somewhere between 6.0 and 8.3 or so, your Betta's should be fine without the adjuster.

Answer 3

You seem to be doing everything right. The Bettas death were not because of anything you did or didn't do. I think they were just probably born with some internal defects from bad breeding. It happens sometimes. They are such fragile but beautiful fish. I have a Betta and every day is a gift. I know his life will be short, 2-3 years despite my diligent care. Good luck.

Answer 4

Don't know the answer... but here's a quick recommendation: you may want to feed them 4 or 5 pellets every other day... not once a day. (And they don't need the other foods.)



BTW, they usually fare better in colder temperatures and small spaces. I have all my bettas in small-sized bowls (no filtration; no heater). I change the water completely once a week. They are all very happy and healthy... and have all lived to ripe old ages of 4 and up.



Good luck! Bettas are great!

Answer 5

Did you let the water sit for a certain amount of time before you put the fish in? I mean after you added the treatments?

Answer 6

They are suffering and dying from the Fish Syndrome. Your tank is contaminated with microbes most likely.

Answer 7

my fish died weird too. my beta was blue n red. one mornin i woke up to talk to him n he was silver. i thought it was really cool that he could change colors but my parents told me he was actually dead.