About Amber Worman Expertise I specialize in Gouramis, Black Moors, Fantail goldfish, and Bettas. I can answer questions about fish behavior, tank mates, diseases, and living conditions. I do not have much experience with breeding these types of fish, however.
Experience Fish are my passion - I have raised these types of fish for as long as I can remember. I am a college student at Purdue University where I have a major in Biology and a position as a lab technician in a fish laboratory.
Expert: Amber Worman Date: 1/6/2008 Subject: Very sick betta...what do I do?!
Question I know this is terrible, but I had accidently left my betta in my dorm room for two weeks and i couldn't go back because I live outta state. I just got back to him and he is still alive, but kinda sits on the bottom of the tank vertically, like he is sitting on a chair. What can I do to help him?
Answer Hello Stefanie-
First off, you need to change out all of his water and rinse his tank with hot water. There's probably a lot of algae and ammonia built up, and some fresh clean water will do your betta well. Be sure that you use water conditioner to remove any harmful chemicals and try to keep the water about 80 F. Reintroduce your betta to the new water slowly, so he has time to get used to the changes. Start feeding him, but don't over feed. Remove any food he doesn't eat so that it won't decompose. Adding a dose of Melafix to the tank will also help him recover.
