The Puffer Forum

Hey, there's a possibly-dying betta my roommate had... obviously the 'bowl' wasn't cutting it (I assume it was primarily a temperature issue, the room was ~65 F). The betta doesn't have any obvious-to-me condition (no ich at least), just is rather 'limp.'

Just a few hours ago I began my rescue attempt. I've currently put it in a breeder-type net in my freshwater to keep it semi-isolated from the rest of my fish (I realize I'm risking disease, but trying to minimize) ... including the baby guppies I don't want it to eat.

I have a lone F8 in a 20g...

#1 - Can a betta tolerate an sg of 1.005? I read something that said that was a possibility on WWM...

#2... If so can they tolerate 1.007 or 1.008? (I accidentally raised the salinity higher than normal and am trying to slowly bring it back down)

(I am considering keeping the betta isolated in the breeder net thing in the 20g to keep aggression potential out of the equation).

Thanks,

-Pete

I know bettas can tolerate a little salt (the usual 1 tablespoon per 5 gallons) but I don't know about them tolerating actual brackish water. I've never heard of it. I personally wouldn't do it. Just because they can tolerate something doesn't mean its good for them. As you can see, they can tolerate cold water but its not good for their health. The "limp" sounds like a big symptom of water being too cold.

i'd also add that f8's are notorious fin nippers and will surely kill the betta?

unless ive read that wrong? but im reading it like your wanting to put the betta in with your f8 puffer?

Well... nevermind =(

Woke up and the betta didn't. =(

Yeah, I had read something on WWM to the effect that bettas can do light brackish, but had no idea how light. Oh well.

-Pete

It was likely too far gone to save, unfortunately.

Bettas get gill damage and systemic healthy problems from extended periods in tiny fility cups of water all the time, thats why they usally live 6 weeks to 6 months when kept as directed by the pet store. Give them at least a couple gallons of water and some interesting decor and they are like an entirely different fish, I should post a picture of Crisco, a yellow betta in a heavily planted 2.5, still smaller than I'd like but it's a well established tank and he's quite happy compared to the cup in the store or the 1G quarentine he had to wait through.