I may have done something drastic...

[hisc1ay]

I went to WalMart to find a book, and with all the talk about WalMart's fish, I wanted to go over there and find out what the stock looked like at that sure. I wasn't surprised at all with what I found in the tanks. It was what was on the bottom shelf that made me mad.

Stacked to the far side was about 5 or 6 dead bettas in yellow water. In the middle of the shelf were the live ones. Probably 10 or so. Maybe less. The water was clean, but the fish weren't. I picked up a few. Most of them had some kind of fungus (it didn't look like ick...it wasn't as hard as that...it was more like a softish cotton looking stuff). I found two really pretty ones that didn't have any disease (visibly) and I brought them home because I didn't want them to live there anymore (I'm such an activist...). Now, I'm not stupid...I didn't put them in with my other fish. I bought one of those little betta tank thingies to stick them in as like a hospital room while I treat them. Then one of them is going with my others, and the other one gets his own tank.

Here's my question. I have some ick medicine. It says one teaspoon for every 10 gallons. I barely have these guys in 3 cups each. I may just stick one of them in my 10 for a few days and then switch them. How long should I treat them, or should I even treat if they don't have ick at sight? What else should I be checking them for? And when do you think it would be safe to put one of them in with my guppies?

-j

 

[loganj]

betta

I'm not sure about putting them with the guppies. If they don't have any visible disease, I don't think I would treat them right away. Just keep them quarantined for a couple of weeks and see how they do. If ick does develop, you could mix up the medicine at 1/4 tsp per 2 1/2 gal. Then use this water to change out the water in the betta tank as needed. If they develop the white, cottony growth that you mentioned, I would probably treat them with an antifungal of some sort. For now though, "If they ain't broke, don't fix 'em" . Personally, I'm glad you rescued these fish from Wal Mart. It always makes me mad to see any animal kept in inhumane conditions.
Logan J

 

[CRaZeeeBiTcHisH]

he should be ok with feeder guppies, probably not with fancies--it seems they like to attack fish that they think is "prettier" than they are or something--anything with bright long fins is usually in trouble --you can try it , just watch him for awhile with the net in your hand!