Member

Posts: 240
From:Campton, NH USA
Registered: Jan 2004

posted 01-02-2004 07:33 AM         

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I bought a 2nd Beta last Friday (12/26) I felt horrible for her (I think it's a her...she is a light brown and has smallish fins) since she was the only one remaining at WalMart (not colorful so no one wanted her). I bought a 1-gallon tank identical to the one my other Beta is in. I have them side-by-side and thought maybe being able to see him was keeping her from eating - but I put something in between so they can't see each other and she's still not eating - at least I haven't seen her eating in the week I've had her.

The other Beta (Mr. Ishey) eats fine...she (Mrs. Ishey, again I think it's a female..but I'm not 100% sure) just lays at the bottom of the tank. I've seen her swim a couple of times but not much.

Is there anything I can do? What am I doing wrong?

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Member

Posts: 146
From:canada
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 01-02-2004 02:26 PM         

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i doubt youre doing anything wrong. Maybe you could try different foods. I have given mine (because it is in an aquarium with several other fish) tubifex worms, bloodworms and the basic flakes and betta peices.
Good luck..maybe she will come around !!
P.S Wal-Maart should not be allowed to sell fish!

[This message has been edited by fishybiz (edited 01-02-2004).]

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Member

Posts: 240
From:Campton, NH USA
Registered: Jan 2004

posted 01-02-2004 04:49 PM         

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I'm sorry to report that when I got home from work Mrs. Ishey had passed. She was still laying at the bottom of the tank when I came home at lunch. When I came home 4 hours later she was gone. I feel so badly. I tried bloodworms, the pellet food I have doesn't sink fast so it was available. She looked okay (no fungus or anything). I just think she was sick, probably hadn't eaten in some time and the cup I saved her from smelled horribly when I opened it up last week.

I feel so bad for those Bettas at WalMart (nearly got another tonight...but I'm going to wait). I'd end up with all of them....problem is supply/demand they'll just keep replacing them if they keep selling them like puppy mill puppies.

She just refused to eat. At least she got to spend the last week of her life out of that damned cup and no kids shaking her around or poking at her cup. Her last week was in a tank with fresh water/fresh food and peace.

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Member

Posts: 61
From:Alabama
Registered: Dec 2003

posted 01-02-2004 08:41 PM         

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I am sorry for your loss and I agree Wal Mart should not be allowed to sell fish. They are cruel to them.

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Member

Posts: 478
From:Dallas, Texas
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 01-03-2004 08:13 AM         

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Sometimes, when they act sick like that it is best to keep them in a small bowl. She may have been having a hard time swimming to the top for air and food. I have bought all of my bettas from wal-mart. I bought about 15 there, and have 7 left. 2 that died were males, and one died because he had some cuts from when I tried to mate him with a female, and they got infected, even though I put medicine in his water, and one died because it had a disease contracted through the net that was used on another sick betta (oops!). 2 females died because they jumped out of their bowls, and 1 even got stepped on by me! (eew eew eew!). The other 4 died because they had been pregnat too long. NO, wait, one died because her water got too warm or something! (She was near a lamp, the water was a little over 80 degrees, but I am pretty sure that's what killed her! Ok, well, see I don't have much of a problem with wal-mart, that's what I'm trying to say! They are the only place I can find besides the internet where females are sold! If you go to some of the new wal-marts, they keep the bettas in bowls the size of cool-whip bowls, which will keep the bettas healthier, and that is more than you can say for most pet stores!

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Moderator

Posts: 806
From:
Registered: Jan 2003

posted 01-03-2004 10:22 AM         

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Hi all, Just some general information. All pet shops lose fish. If a store tells you they don't they are lying. When you have fish pulled out of their natural environment, stuck in a little bag, drop in a little Methylene Blue and ship them half way around the world some of them aren't going to make it. It is a survival of the fittest situation. For this reason you should only purchase fish that have been in the pet shop for several days. Granted, Employees at Walmart may not be as knowledgeable about tropical fish as your local pet shop who specializes in tropical fish and pets, but the biggest problem they have is not having time to remove the fish that have died because of their other responsibilities. This is what leads to the overall bad condition in the tanks. So try not to blame the poor overworked Walmart employee too much. Just so you know, I do not and have never worked for Walmart. I just understand the situation.

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Member

Posts: 151
From:
Registered: Jan 2004

posted 01-03-2004 05:04 PM         

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I have heard that sometimes betas don't at a lot right at first, but if you keep trying to feed them, (but don't overfeed them) they will eat soon. I'm sorry to hear about you fish!!

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