Anyone know anything about Bettas?
 

A week ago I brought home two Bettas. They both were fine in the pet store, but now I noticed that red fish was sitting up. If we would move the tank he would swim upwards only, then fall back to the ground. He's been eating and everything, but I feel bad for him. I got really close to him today and noticed that both fins on his sides are torn really badly so he can't swim properly. What do I do?!

My husband may know, but it won't be for 5 hours or so that he comes home. I will ask him by email though. He used to have Fish when he was a teen.
If he writes me back, I'll let u know what he says.
What other fish do you have in your tank?

might want to seperate them if you can. If they're both males, they're going to fight until one gets killed

I have two males but they are separated by a divider and they have had no contact with each other.

You can't have 2 together unless 1 is a female. 2 males will kill each other. They are also called fighting fish!

I know... they aren't together. They are in the same tank, but it has a divider so they can't fight.

Ok, he answered. He said he never had Beta's, but he thinks it's unhealthy. So maybe bring it back? Sorry I am no help. :confused:

Is the divider clear? Just seeing/sensing a male betta is stressful for another male. I think the manufacturers do the clear dividers so that they flare and show off their colors often, but without them actually fighting. Unfortunately, the flaring caused by those tanks (or putting a mirror up to a single betta too many times a day) is exhausting and has an adverse effect on the guy's healthy (reduces survival time)/

I don't know the cause of the tears or prognosis for your red guy, but I know that stress can will make it harder for him to cope/heal. Do you have any aquarium ornaments or stones on the bottom of the aquarium? I've found that they can be dangerous for fish with long fins, as they can get caught on the slightest rough spot. I have smooth marbles on the bottom of my guy's aquarium but even that makes me a little nervous b/c he like to move them around with his nose and sometimes they roll back.

It's a good sign that he can eat, but be careful not to overfeed (bettas will eat as much as given usually). I would definitely call the store for more info -- also there are a number of betta forums online, but i don't know of any of the top of my head (just google should work)

Maybe a dumb question, but did you use dechlorinated water?

I put used tap water, but I put a betta water conditioner in it.

You mentioned his fins look beaten up. Do you think his fins could be burnt from the ammonia buildup? How big is the tank? If it is something like this (http://youraquariumcenter.com/library/BBT3Glamour.jpg) it's entirely too small. I'd invest in a 1/2 gallon or gallon bowl for each of them and see if he improves then.

Also I'd suggest fasting him for a 2 or 3 days. Sometimes they need to be "cleaned out."

I've only had him about a week.

I looked in his tank a few minutes ago and he has passed on to rainbow bridge... RIP Red Fish.