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Yes I jinxed him. Recently, I posted to another thread about how my betta was at least four years old and still healthy and vibrant as ever. The next day he seemed a little off and was not himself. Then I saw he had a wound on his side. It looked like something short and sharp was sticking out of him. Thought maybe he ate a trumpet snail and it pierced his abdomen. I netted him to take a closer look and it was not a snail, but something pointy and sort of red (he is red as well). His scales were also a little rough looking. I freaked and thought it was the callamanus worm I had recently read about in another thread, but it was not coming out of his vent, but more to the side of it.

I added some Melafix and turned out the lights so he could relax and the next morning he was dead in his cave. I tried to do a mini autopsy to see if it was a worm. It didn't appear to be... although there was a hole in his flesh where it was (it was hard to tell because his insides were already very gooey). I don't know what it was. Hadn't added any new fish in months, tank water was all good ammonia=0, nitrites=0, nitrates<5ppm. None of the other fish had ever been aggressive with him, so I doubt it was a bite wound. What could it be? As a precaution I did a very thorough gravel vacuuming and added more Melafix. All the other fish seem to be fine. The only new thing I have been doing is feeding some frozen food (bloodworms and daphina) for the past few months.

I don't know how it would have gotten in there, but I wonder if you didn't have an anchor worm in there. If the frozen food wasn't sterilized properly, then maybe it came from there. Or, if you use water from outside, or have plants, etc.

Sorry to hear about that. What an awful experience. The only other thought is that maybe it was an internal parasite that worked it's way out instead of in.

You didn't jinx him. It would have happened anyway. Sorry

R.I.P. Betta

The only plants added in the last year were dried bulbs, so I don't think that is it. I never have used live food, or any water not from the tap. I try to feed a variety of dried foods and thought I was improving their health by starting to feed frozen food as well. I used Hikari brand bloodworms and daphnia. Can parasites survive freezing even? I thaw and use the food immediately and never store or re-freeze the leftovers.

I have been observing my other fish closely (it is a 29g community tank)and don't see anything wrong yet. Is there something I should treat the tank with as a preventative measure that won't do more harm than good? The only diseases I've dealt with ever have been fin fungus on my long skirt tetras and swimbladder problems with glolites.

It's hard to say. I wouldn't mess with it, but would not add any new fish for at least 4-6 weeks to make sure nothing else is going on. Do a wait and see and inspect everyone closely on a daily basis.

Bettas are not known to live long...

Try "jinxing" a younger Betta and you'll fail.

A four-year-old Betta is a senior fish that has lived beyond expectancy. I have a feeling the fish was not that old and had internal parasites.

--garyroland.

Try "jinxing" a younger Betta and you'll fail

That's quite true. It's the ones you don't want to lose and don't realize are sick that get you.

[span class="edited"][Edited by Cory_Di 2004-07-09 14:23][/span]

The lifespans stated in books and online always baffle me. I have seen anywhere from 1 year to up to 7 years stated as the lifespan of a betta. Who knows though if they are basing it on an average "lifespan" or a maximum known "lifespan". I guess it is the same with humans though.

I know the betta was at least 4 years old because he was the first fish I got when I "inherited" the tank after my brother moved out. This tank has always been understocked and has a few other oldies in it that are around 6 years old...two black skirt tetras and a kuhli loach. Those black skirts are tough little fish...survived 2 tank tear downs and moves, fungus problems on 2 occasions involving a move to a quaratine tank, and a couple years of care under my brother who never changed or cleaned the filter and didn't do water changes (except for topping it off from evaporation)!

Bettas have a difficult time surviving in a tank that is neglected...

With that in mind I would insist the Betta wouldn't have much of a chance to survive four years.

But, since we've all seen them jammed in small glasses like a sardine, suffering, maybe a dirty tank isn't that bad.

If I had my way no Betta would be tortured like they are in fish stores.

--garyroland.

Amen on the cups!!!

I think the tiny cup bowls are the result of convenience since they cannot be kept together. No doubt, a betta is happiest when it can move some place. I can't imagine how stifling those cups must be for the poor things.

[span class="edited"][Edited by Cory_Di 2004-07-09 20:43][/span]

I don't know how anyone can keep them in those little cups and vases either. People who say they don't need or wouldn't use swimming space have obviously never seen them in a larger tank. Mine was very active at all levels of the tank....investigating every nook and cranny, and even following and nipping at my hand as I cleaned the tank (because I hand fed him). Unfortunately, all bettas don't fare so well. We tried adding one to our 20 gallon and he was not very active at all and died in less than a year.

When I see bettas in the little cups in the stores I am always torn... I want to give them a better life than that, but I don't really want to support the practice. I cringe when I see decorating shows on tv where they decorate rooms with bettas in tiny bowls...as if they were nothing more than a trinket to go with the color scheme.

Yes, Black skirt tetras are VEEEERRRYYY hardy.
IME.