1/13/2024 0 Comments Dirty fish tanksLow concentrations of macronutrients like nitrates help aquarium plants grow, but when the level gets too high, algae can form, and your Betta fish can suffer and even die. Now let’s talk nitrates…When ammonia oxidizes, it becomes nitrites which eventually become nitrates (nitrogen). Poor water sources – Chlorine and fluoride are two toxins in city water that can be harmful to fish.Not cleaning the tank properly or not testing the tank water. ![]() Poor water circulation and filtration – Harmful chemicals, fish waste, and food can become stagnant.Overfeeding – If fish are eating too much, they’re going to produce more waste.New fish being added to the aquarium – Extra fish, extra waste.The chemical can cause blindness and brain damage and burn a fish’s gills and skin.Īmmonia is created naturally when waste in the tank – food, excrement, live plants – breaks down. Not to be a downer, but if there is too much ammonia in your tank, your Betta fish will die a horrific death. They may be aging, and sometimes it’s a favorite spot. If your old Betta fish lays or sleeps on the bottom of the aquarium, don’t be alarmed. LOOK FOR CATARACTS – Older Bettas might have them which look like filmy spots inside the eye.An older Betta might be slower and make a couple of passes before eating it. WATCH THEIR FOOD REACTIONS – Older Betta fish will normally swim briskly to food and eat right away.CHECK THEIR SWIMMING HABITS – Adult Bettas will swim around a fish tank with gusto, whereas an old one might hide behind decorations.Many old Betta fish will also lose their desire to flare – fins spread wide and moving back and forth, usually displayed to protect territory but can be seen in mating and for other reasons as well. NOTICE ANY BODY CHANGES – Look to see if your healthy fish has become thinner or has less energy than normal.Young ones have the most brilliant colors, the adults are slightly faded, and the oldest will look muted and mostly diluted. If its fins are tiny, it could be a juvenile or even a baby. CHECK THE FINS – Adult male Betta fish have long, flowing fins.Sometimes it isn’t easy to catch them being still. Use a ruler to see how big they are when they’re near the side of the Betta fish tank. MEASURE YOUR FISH – Adult Bettas are around 3” long, while the kids come in at a smaller size.Observe them and use common sense to figure it out. ![]() Of course, some have lived longer, but this is the average.Īlthough it’s tough to tell how old your Betta fish is, it’s not impossible to get an idea. The air drying helps remove any residual bleach solution, which is fatal to the fish if not removed from the plants before they are placed back into the aquarium.The lifespan of a captive Betta fish is 2-4 years. After soaking and scrubbing, rinse the plants well in clear water and allow them to completely air dry before returning them to the tank. You will still have to scrub the algae residue with a clean algae pad, but most or all of it should come off after a single 10-minute bleach soak. If you have brightly colored plants you can try a five-minute soak to minimize the effect of the bleach. Ten minutes is all that should be needed to kill the algae. To minimize that, closely monitor the length of time you bleach the plant. Keep in mind that bleach can affect the plant colors, particularly brightly colored plants. If scrubbing with a pad or scrubber does not remove the algae, the next step is to use a 10-percent bleach solution to soak the plants. ![]() Hair or beard algae are particularly difficult to remove. ![]() Some types of algae will slip off with just a gentle rub, but other types are more stubborn. What is generally the biggest challenge to remove is algae overgrowth.
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