Been reading some of the posts here and it seems like everyone who has ever had fish has had this problem. Even I admit that as a fish keeper with some experience that I have done it a time or to. That’s what these forums are for people make mistakes in this hobby and people learn.
In my opinion don't ever by fish from Meijer. I went into my local Meijer today and the fish don't look too good and a lot of them are pretty expensive.
In my opinion OTTOS are very difficult to keep. I had a couple in my tank once but they never last long they always want algae. I have no idea what is causing the tail loss.
Hmm for just a betta a 5 gallon should be fine but the smaller the tank the harder it is to keep it healthy. I would go no smaller than that. If you would want anything else I would upgrade to at least a 10 or even better a 20.
You wanna know whats killing the hobby. Its the people. It seems as there is a lack of fish stores in alot of towns and alot of people don't have knowledge or the will power to run a bussiness that caters to the fish keeping world. Wisconsin just lost a major fish store a few years ago in milwaukee. Hoffer's Tropic Life Pets.
Ah yes the joys of fishkeeping. all of us have been there a few times or another where fish die as the tank is new and not cycled. Yes using gravel from a all ready established tank does help. There is a way you can cycle a tank with fish in it I would only start with fish that are hardy.
I have too agree with Drewzero1's hypothesis all though from experience livebearers are usally pretty hardy. I also have heard that mollies all though I never did this prefer brackish water.
The one thing that bothers me most about this hobby is the lack of good tropical fish stores in the area. All we have in my town for places that sell fish are Meijers, Pet Supply plus and Petco. Walmart had fish along time ago but stopped.