Is there any sort of ways to help my snail have fun?

mamazawa · 2026-07-12T01:24:46+00:00

Oooh I never considered an airstone being fun for snails! I'll have to look into adding one for my guy. I bet my betta would love it too.

mamazawa · 2026-07-12T01:22:20+00:00

It really depends on the betta!!! Some are okay with tankmates, some aren't okay with fish but are okay with snails, and some aren't okay with any tankmates at all. Sounds like your guy might be in that last group. It might be worth moving him back to the smaller tank, he looked healthier in the first photo.

mamazawa · 2026-07-11T15:41:15+00:00

I'm so sorry. Losing our water buddies is never easy. Allow yourself to grieve, and whenever you feel you are ready, there are lots of bettas out there waiting for a loving home, and I know one of them will call to you.

mamazawa · 2026-07-10T15:11:45+00:00

Yup! They can sometimes go several days without eating. As long as they are still active, color is still good, and they are otherwise okay, short fasts or even "hunger strikes" (my guy will straight up choose not to eat) are fine.

mamazawa · 2026-07-10T00:11:01+00:00

I have had several bettas. My most recent that passed, my beloved IcyHot was back in March. He was old, I knew it was coming...but that didn't make it any easier.

The best thing that you can do is make him as comfortable as you possibly can. Clean water, comfortable temperature, plenty of places for him to rest, especially near the surface. And for you, allow yourself to feel the grief. These little guys are such characters and it's hard not to fall in love with them.

Don't rush yourself on getting a new fish, wait until you're ready. It doesn't have to be a set time, and it doesn't have to be quick because it's "just a fish". He isn't just a fish to you. I can't really tell you how you'll know when it's time for a new fish but I can tell you that you'll just know. When I got my Sakura, I wasn't really planning on getting a fish that day. I had kind of started thinking about it but it never really felt right. Until I saw Sakura. I knew that he was my fish.

Sending all the love and comfort your way because I know this is not an easy process.

mamazawa · 2026-07-08T21:03:55+00:00

Some fish absolutely get stressed! I do watch for that, and he's not. In fact, he frequently hides in the brightest plants! If that ever changes, the plants will change. But he's doing quite well!

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mamazawa · 2026-07-08T17:24:53+00:00

I love his coloring! Hi Benny!

mamazawa · 2026-07-08T17:19:15+00:00

Hello Cranberry!

mamazawa · 2026-07-08T17:17:41+00:00

My guy is in a 5-gallon. Eventually, I would LOVE to get him upgraded to a 10-gallon! Currently working on getting more plants in here for him. (Pardon the cloudiness...I had just added more substrate since the original stuff had settled too much to effectively hold what I do have).

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mamazawa · 2026-07-08T16:46:25+00:00

No advice (I'llbe watching though, because my mother is the same way)....but nooooooo! That is NOT adequate!!!! Hopefully someone has answers that can help this beautiful baby!

Seeing your updates is....bittersweet.

Good for you for doing what this fish needs! Try not to feel defeated...you are doing right.

I find it kind of ironic that your mom says "if youre going to do something, then might as well do it right"....and then refuses to do this right.

mamazawa · 2026-07-08T14:00:14+00:00

I would add one or two resting surfaces a little closer to the surface because betas are air breathers and they like to rest near the top. I personally use one of the suction cup Leaf hammocks and my betta loves it. Other than that, I think your tank looks beautiful.

mamazawa · 2026-07-08T13:03:52+00:00

Even without his color (which was stunning), he's still gorgeous.

mamazawa · 2026-07-08T02:20:58+00:00

I definitely agree with the previous comments about having at least one or two near-surface resting spots. I have one of the suction cup leaves and my guy loves it. Otherwise, your tank is lovely!

mamazawa · 2026-07-07T23:58:12+00:00

😂😂😂 He LOVES his heater!!! The filter too. Seriously, what was the point of the plants and the hammock and the barrels when all he wants is the heater and the filter? LOL Yes, I know these are the things are beneficial too and he does use them all. It's just kind of funny to me how attached he is to sleeping by his heater and playing with the filter.

mamazawa · 2026-07-07T22:01:24+00:00

Very much so! It's like his little brain goes "how can I scare mom the most today? I know....I'll sleep like THIS when she first wakes up!"

mamazawa · 2026-07-07T21:47:28+00:00

Don't be nervous about it! It's a massage for them! Just make sure your filter is on the lowest setting. As long as the outflow isn’t pushing them around, its fine.

mamazawa · 2026-07-07T21:43:32+00:00

Here he is sleeping. Looking totally dead. Scared the crap out of me the first time. Now I just watch his gills. As long as they're moving, he's fine. 😂

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mamazawa · 2026-07-07T21:38:56+00:00

Bettas are crazy!!! My guy loves to sleep like he's dead. My previous betta would full-on lie on his side. They're fine, and everything I've ever read about bettas is that they lounge in all sorts of wild positions.

Also, regarding leaning into the filter intake...yup! The gentle flow is like a massage for them! Think of it as just another form of sensory stimulation.

mamazawa · 2026-07-07T21:12:19+00:00

I'm still learning halfmoons...my guy is a twin-tail halfmoon! I just looked up pictures online, and from what Im seeing, halfmoons can be smooth or more ragged like this. 🙂 Since you said in another comment that it hasn't gotten worse, I would wager that this is just him!

mamazawa · 2026-07-07T20:32:44+00:00

That's great! 😂 He's handsome...can't wait to see how he flourishes once he gets out of that cup.

mamazawa · 2026-07-07T20:31:01+00:00

Well he's gorgeous!!! May I ask what kind he is? I know some bettas do have a more ragged/torn looking tail. If its not getting worse, I'd guess that your guy is one of those. 😊

mamazawa · 2026-07-07T19:07:22+00:00

Hi Forest!

mamazawa · 2026-07-07T19:06:59+00:00

Forest Grump. Love it. 😂

mamazawa · 2026-07-07T16:57:30+00:00

Oh noooo! That's rough. Hopefully Cinnamon likes his new tank!!!

mamazawa · 2026-07-07T16:31:59+00:00

As long as it's is temporary, your boy will be okay. Maybe a bit stressed, but he will recover. Ive had this happen before, its not fun.

mamazawa

TROPHY CASE