Thread: I think my fish is dying

Oh Atmosfear, just in case you didn't know here are some basic care tips:

1. De-chlorinate the new water before you change it.
2. Make sure the new water is the same temperature as the old water.

If he were human, I'd suggest the fish was constipated, particularly with lethargy after a binge (think cheese pizza fest). Has he been crapping?

A Google search confirmed this as a possibility; link to the treatment is here.

Originally Posted by doctor_b

If he were human, I'd suggest the fish was constipated, particularly with lethargy after a binge (think cheese pizza fest). Has he been crapping?

A Google search confirmed this as a possibility; link to the treatment is here.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

modded (don't care if you accept; you don't have a choice)

Originally Posted by Cryptic

A bowl is actually fine for a betta. They're designed to live in still water, that's what the labyrinth system in their gills is for that lets them breathe surface air. The problem with a small enclosure is water chemistry, as you have just found out. In a larger tank/bowl/enclosure of choice, the water chemistry is much more stable.

Hard to say if he'll recover or not. It depends on how extensive the damage was. Just keep doing what you're doing is really the only treatment at this point.

And if you're referring to my comment, I wasn't trying to troll. I just think that no matter what animal you have, whether it's a $5 fish or a $5000 dog, you should know what the best way to care for it is and do that, or don't get the pet. How much the pet did or didn't cost is irrelevant.

In the real world, people make decisions based on margins. What is the marginal benefit of researching proper care for a $5000 dog? Greatly lowering the risk of losing a $5000 pet that should live for over 10 years. What is the marginal benefit of researching proper care for a $5 fish? Greatly lowering the risk of losing a $5 pet that should live for a few months.

My time is generally worth more than the $5 it costs to replace the fish. If the fish was going to live for a year and it dies in 6 months, I've lost $2.50. It's simple economics as to why a pet owner would worry less about the care of something with little to no monetary value compared to something with significant financial investment.

Which do you take better care of? Your $2000 TV or your $10 toaster?

Originally Posted by KT_

Oh Atmosfear, just in case you didn't know here are some basic care tips:

1. De-chlorinate the new water before you change it.
2. Make sure the new water is the same temperature as the old water.

We've always been sure to do that. Thanks.