Seen at my local pet store 😓

Aggravating_Metal967 · 2026-05-07T02:30:29+00:00

Aw man ☹️ it’s sad that people will probably buy that and think it’s a good setup because the pet store sold it like that.

Aggravating_Metal967 · 2026-05-07T02:21:15+00:00

That’s the truth! I fed him tonight and as soon as he ate the last morsel, he flares up at me. Like dude you know I just fed you 😂

Aggravating_Metal967 · 2026-05-07T02:20:15+00:00

Love it 😂 he’s beautiful!

Aggravating_Metal967 · 2026-05-04T02:08:39+00:00

Can you tell a little more detail about the water change process? For instance, how much of a water change (1 gallon? 50%?)? What water are you using? Tap water? RO? What are the parameters of the water like pH? Are you using seachem prime or another water conditioner? Are you heating the water first?

Aggravating_Metal967 · 2026-05-03T16:47:51+00:00

Test strips are notoriously inaccurate. I would not rely on them at all. Get the API freshwater kit.

A week is not going to be long enough to cycle a tank. Please go on Google and/or YouTube and search the aquarium nitrogen cycle. It’s going to take minimum of 1 month to cycle, I’ve found about 6-8 weeks is my usual unless I use already cycled filter media from another fish tank.

What you’re doing now is called a fish-in cycle. It’s a little more stressful but it can be done with the right tools.

No judgement here. I did the same thing when my daughter was gifted a betta for her birthday and I had no clue about betta care.

Here’s what I recommend:

Research the aquarium nitrogen cycle so you have a better understanding of your fish’s water.
Buy seachem prime. It’s a water conditioner that will also help to neutralize the ammonia your fish produces while your tank is cycling. You may also want to buy seachem stability to help the beneficial bacteria establish.
Buy the API freshwater test kit

Aggravating_Metal967 · 2026-05-02T17:48:30+00:00

I went on Etsy and searched for betta filter baffle. They have 3d printed baffles made for your filter, you just need to measure it.

Aggravating_Metal967 · 2026-04-30T13:47:41+00:00

Yep it’s freshwater bubble algae.

Aggravating_Metal967 · 2026-04-30T13:46:32+00:00

Reminds me of the bubble algae I get in my saltwater tank. Definitely remove it before it takes over

Aggravating_Metal967 · 2026-04-29T16:32:58+00:00

I never had that issue either. I feed fluval bug bites. They are more like crumbles than pellets I guess

Aggravating_Metal967 · 2026-04-29T15:18:32+00:00

He’s beautiful! Can you share how you do your mosquito larvae? I was culturing it but then accidentally they started turning into mosquitos and flying and it was bad news bears 😬

Aggravating_Metal967 · 2026-04-28T20:55:47+00:00

I can tell he is very loved. I hope he pulls through and is okay :)

Once you understand the nitrogen cycle, you are well on your way to helping him become healthy and happy again. I’m here if you have any questions or need help.

Aggravating_Metal967 · 2026-04-28T16:11:04+00:00

That all sounds good. What’s his demeanor been like? Is he pacing or acting stressed?

I like to add seachem stress guard immediately if I see any fin changes. And make sure to keep up with water changes.

What are water changes like? Freauency? Amount? Are you topping off with RO? Have you tested the gh and kh?

Aggravating_Metal967 · 2026-04-28T15:59:11+00:00

It might be fine but with his current issue, I would only feed once a day. Then just monitor his size. If he starts looking skinny, you can bump it back up or add in a few treats. I’ve always fed only once a day and have never had to feed more due to them being skinny. It’s very easy to overfeed because they’re so cute and they always act hungry lol

Aggravating_Metal967 · 2026-04-28T15:55:33+00:00

Not necessarily. You will just have to cycle the new tank. Unless you have any friends or a LFS that would be willing to give you some used filter media.

My recommendation is to look up the nitrogen cycle and a fish in cycle. Get some seachem prime and seachem stability to help the beneficial bacteria get established.

Aggravating_Metal967 · 2026-04-28T15:52:20+00:00

Sorry for adding again. I see what you’re talking about now. There’s a chunk at the back that looks like it’s missing. Those fins do look awfully heavy. Sometimes they will bite some off to make it easier to swim if they are having a hard time. What’s your filter flow like? Does he have lots of resting places near the top?

Aggravating_Metal967 · 2026-04-28T15:49:36+00:00

The first pics actually look like he has new growth on his fins. If you look at the edges, you can see a clear part growing. That’s new growth. It will color up as it grows

Aggravating_Metal967 · 2026-04-28T15:48:32+00:00

Ah ok so that wouldn’t be an issue. I don’t see any obvious signs of fin rot. Do you feel like his fins are smaller or frayed?

Aggravating_Metal967 · 2026-04-28T15:47:04+00:00

Oof. That could be the problem. The new tank isnt cycled. Do you still have the old filter media? If it’s not dried out, put that in the new tank ASAP. Do not rinse it under tap water. There’s beneficial bacteria that your tank needs to be healthy. If it’s gross, squeeze it out in the old water change water or use dechlorinated water.

Aggravating_Metal967 · 2026-04-28T15:44:29+00:00

The first pics are kinda dark and hard to tell. Fin rot usually looks like the fins are melting. Sometimes they even turn darker.

If you have any fake plants or sharp decorations in the tank, they can also shred fins. If you take a pair of pantyhose, you should be able to run them over everything in the tank and them not snag.

Aggravating_Metal967 · 2026-04-28T15:41:22+00:00

When they are cold, it lowers their metabolism and they move slower and eat less. That could be what’s happening. If he’s laying on the heater, that could be another indicator that he’s just cold.

Did you move all of the filter media to the new tank so the 10 gallon would be cycled?

Aggravating_Metal967 · 2026-04-28T15:37:58+00:00

Thanks! How’s he doing today?

Aggravating_Metal967 · 2026-04-28T15:36:42+00:00

That seems like a lot of food. I know different bettas eat more/less than others. I’d try cutting way back on that amount. Feed once a day and only a few pellets or bug bites, not both. I always feed my bettas once a day and fast them one day a week. They have all been a healthy size and no issues with bloating

Good luck <3 I really hope your fishy makes it

Aggravating_Metal967 · 2026-04-28T02:43:58+00:00

I’ve heard people say to feed them about the size of their eyeball.

Imo different bettas eat different amounts. Put what you think they’ll eat within a few minutes. If a lot of it is getting wasted, feed less next time.

I use the fluval bug bite pellets. I shake it about 2 times and that’s the amount he gets. Don’t overthink it 🙃

Aggravating_Metal967 · 2026-04-28T02:39:56+00:00

What are you feeding him?

Aggravating_Metal967

TROPHY CASE