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I guess i have to say i have learned my lesson! This is what happened. I have been keeping my male bettas in their own 2.5g aquarium with 15w light and mini-whisper power filter (set on low for minimum surface agitation). The filter is a long rather slender design and nearly reaches the bottom of the tank. I have been doing nearly 100% water changes weekly.

My red betta Thunder was fine this morning, he ate well and swam happily. Later i walked by his tank and looked in on him. He was not there, I looked more closely and noticed a red tail under the filter. I was not immediately concerned, he regularly swims behind the filter. I guessed that this time he was just exploring under the filter. I was not concerned about the suction because of the low setting and his relative size. However, he did not move for several seconds. Stunned, i immediately shut-down the filter and removed the small tank hood. Carefully, I reached into the tank and raised the filter. Thunder floated upward. His color was faded, and his eyes were dull. I cupped him in my palm and helped him to the surface where he started gasping for air. I held him there until he stay there by himself. This was about an hour ago and he is not looking much better.

Is there anything else I can do? I have removed those blasted filters and will never use them again. I will just maintain the tank with water changes twice a week. I hope he hangs on. The fact that he is still alive is amazing to me. The longer he makes it the better his chances, I hope.

Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that. I don't think there's much you can do other than sit and wait and hope. Is there a large leaved plastic plant or something for him to rest on? Otherwise maybe you can lower the water level a bit so that he can rest ont he bottom and then doesn't have to travel so far to get some air.

Don't beat yourself up too much: you were being conscientious and were trying to give Thunder the best possible home. Bettas are terrible for finding their way into tight little spots.

Keep us posted. I'm hoping for Thunder's recovery, too!

Ok, he seems to be doing better. He has a plant that he is resting near, I won't say on. But he appears able to stay near the surface. His gills are discolored, and he appears to have some irritation to the scales on one side of his body. Of course he is not moving much, but his color seems to be returning. I am hopeful, thanks for your concern DrJ.

-greg

The colour returning is a good sign. Thanks for the update!

do u think that a 100% water change once a week is bit harsh it will only stes him more. maybe try 50% or just 25% a week. it sounds like he has an abration on his side try some seasalt or some MELAFIX.


peter

Greg, consider undergravel filtration if you want to filter, its about the only type i truely trust for bettas, very very low suck factor.

i agree with peter, a bit of melafix (half dose) would be useful.

For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

Thanks for the advice, the undergravel filter is a great idea! Also I going to my lfs to see if they have the MELAFIX. Thunder looks much, much better. The discoloration around his gills has dissipated. He won't eat yet, I guess he is still stressed out. But I am confident he is going to fully recover. His anal fin is somewhat shredded, and the abrasion on his side is still there, I just cant believe he survived. It is a testament to the hardiness of these fish.

-greg

the same sort of thing happened to my male red betta little red, he got stuck under a rock along with 2 females, fins shreded to a pulp, barely any color, a large scrape on the side of his head, it looked bad for him, well its been 2 weeks, he is back in the tank his tail is almost all the way healed, his scrape is now just a scar, and its all thanx to a little melafix, my thread was betta sandwitch in the hospital.