xXInkedPhoenixX

I get it. There's mixed information all over the net. My motto, keep it simple (I'm also a bit of a rebel so sometimes I might go a little off the path, but only when it seems to work for me). I only use one small container, so I don't have to use much solution, making sure what I choose is too tall for them to jump out but not so tall that it's awkward to get them out. If I can I catch my Betta by hand - but when getting them out of a tank usually easier to net them out. Soak. Then again if you can catch them by hand and put them back great, if not, net them again and release them back into their tank. However I do see that you are a careful person, if you would like to do the "acclimation" method, absolutely do so, it won't hurt. I've never had issue with the other way but never hurts to be careful that's for sure. The site I see that recommends it (acclimation), also recommends (soaks) 3-4 times a day. I've only ever done once a day for 5 -7 days. Doing soaks 3-4 times a day would stress ME out! (I'd maybe only be able to tolerate 2x a day at MOST with a poor sick fish). Upon further looking a lot of Betta sites recommend acclimation, so like I said, it shouldn't hurt- go for that. Maybe @Odd Duck has a preferred method for whether or not to acclimate from an Epsom bath, I'd go with her direction if she offers one.

Yes, I do 1 Tablespoon per gallon. 10-15 minutes. I know it feels stressful but hopefully it helps him.

That's the prettiest Oscar tank I'VE ever seen! Haha!

It's still really hard to tell with his eyes on the pictures. You know him best and could tell if it's not normal, maybe look at old pics of him and now side by side (I can create a collage in my phone, try doing that if you can). It's not severe even if both eyes are. If you can get Maracyn 2 that could also work (mixing in food is best), I think the big box stores often carry that. You'll be minus the focus but you could still try while you wait for it. Seachem stuff can be harder to find in those stores. If he likes mysis you can use that. Doesn't have to be bloodworms but he might really love those if you can get them. :-)

Welcome to the forum @reefhugger. I am totally anti-social media, have never had a social media account and never will. The only reason I stay here is because it's a FRIENDLY place where people of ALL ages can come and share their experience, journeys and pitfalls without feeling like they're bad or being judged (though we are human it can happen but it is kept in check on this forum). Looking forward to your interactions!

The fact that you are here and giving testimony to this is a service in itself. Most people do not admit to their mistakes (I prefer to call THIS scenario a learning experience) and you are to be commended for doing so. You are absolutely right- in this day and age it is so easy to find biased information on WHATEVER you want to "know" or validate and this can be not only polarizing but totally misleading. Sometimes too, no matter how much research you do there are still holes in it you don't see until you're actually doing the activity. We cannot possibly account for ALL outcomes. In this hobby there are SO many ways to do one thing that it's easy to miss the loops. I'm grateful that you are here on the forum to share your story even though for now it's very stressful for you and the fish - in the future someone will come here and see your thread- and NOT start the sorority they are thinking about starting. This is a service to others that is invaluable.

Ugh! Bettas are SO hard!!! Ok I stared at your photos, his right eye was the one in the original photo you had concerns with (right if he's facing you). It's really hard to tell with his coloring but it *seems* a little less swollen to me. I'm telling you popeye is not an easy thing to get rid of- a lot of the time it will never look the same. I haven't treated a Betta, but a catfish and it took months, after I medicated him and did Epsom soaks it was weeks of water changes and salts. It got better. So long road ahead. I hope he ate for you. I'm hoping he's moping since he interacts when you are near. Hanging out near the heater? Can you check the temp away from it and close to it? I'm just curious. Here is my thought. Once you've finished treating him with Kanaplex. Return him to his tank for a day- maybe he perks up. Go get yourself some Metroplex if you can, Focus too if you can find it (both Seachem). I would *just* thaw a block of bloodworms, mix some Focus (to help bind the med- if you can't get it, just mix in the Metro), and the Metroplex and put it back in the plastic mold- refreeze. Metroplex I'm told is best taken in food. I'd cut a small piece off the block and let it thaw, then feed him the bits you get out of that. for 7 or 8 days. He'll be back in his home and we can see if the Metro which treats bacteria/infections the Kanaplex didn't and hope to see improvement. Daily water tests or changes. I'm really crossing my fingers for you and Jupiter. I'm sorry you are going through this.

Oh man @Liquidsky, I'm so sorry. I didn't see it, confirming 0 nitrite too? You treated with Kanaplex, any improvement? How many rounds did you do? You might want to treat with Metroplex (since it's covers the other half of what kanaplex doesn't) which needs to be dosed in food. I mix Focus with some Metro, *just* thawed bloodworms, mix it up, put it in a container (I use the plastic mold the worms come in, it's easier to get out). If the Kanaplex seemed to help, do that in the water column (this is fine). His water needs to be SUPER clean. The black is also part of finrot, not sure what the red might be but looks like burn, so water parameters must be watched closely! I really hope he pulls through for you, poor thing!

Edited 2 hours ago by nabokovfan87 added link and details. Haha, sorry, I like the Cory, just have a lot of Otos!

@bettaballistic, good luck- I hope you soon see the light at the end of this tunnel. We all get them from time to time.

My Otos only eat ENGLISH cucumber (organic, skin cut off). I do nothing to prep it, just put it in a veggie clip. I would like it if they ate Zucchini though- so I would try that first if you haven't done anything yet. I parboiled mine (just slices boiled hard for 2-3 mins, cooled then clipped in a veggie clip) @Guppysnail feeds her fishes lots of veg you might want to look on her journal for good ideas. :-)

I don't keep Corycats however I keep Otocinclus- I have used salt on them and they have made it through fine. They might do better trying lower concentrations but since I've not had Cory I cannot speak to that. We do have lots of Cory keepers who could pipe in here. As to if it's normal for them to just sit there- I think I'd be more concerned if he was zipping about the container which would read as stress to me. I've had both happen with any fish I've put in a salt bath. Observe him closely after putting him back in the QT or tank and see if there is any off behavior. That might also help to determine if he's stressed.

@bettaballistic, what I think you might do is find your local aquarium club or fish store and ask if there is anyone who can take the individuals. Post an ad, ask the LFS for aquarium club heads. Put out an SOS. It's personal preference but I would treat the sick ones and then also place those once past the illness in new homes as well. You can keep one favorite Betta (the friendliest/most mellow) and use them as a centerpiece for a true community tank. I conceed getting Betta from Petco could be low quality (and I disagree about Glofish, they are just like any other) but I don't think that's your problem (or only problem)- your problem is that Betta are hard to keep regardless of your tank/set up- they are very sensitive to outside influences and any stress can cause illness and injury. You also advised your tank isn't balanced, not sure if you're just referencing their personalities or the parameters- but the latter definitely would play a part- if the parameters are off that will make fish act out (we do too when we're not feeling well at times). A Sorority is very high stress, that constant high-alert will eventually break down their immune systems and sadly you will get this domino effect. So while it may have worked for you before, you were probably really lucky- it is a very difficult thing to do. It doesn't just happen with Betta, it can happen with opposite species too - fish get singled out and bullied, they get damaged, sick, stressed and it all goes downhill from there. I'm sorry you're going through this. I totally understand wanting you to give up all together- you are stressed too, along with the fish. Pushing away from the proverbial table is our first instinct sometimes- but for now you can't. Take a deep breath. Come up with a plan. And move towards it. There are no instant solutions, it will take time. I would get myself some floating breeders, and gather some of the more aggressive (likely healthy) female betta and put them in those to lower the stress of the others. Remove the sick ones and get myself some containers (1-3 gallons) and for now treat them. While doing that, getting a line on who you can give the fish to (you should even ask Petco, I've heard of them taking fish back).

Yea, they can be difficult little fish!

I only can find freeze dried myself- seems to work so you should be good. Don't forget a good ol' Epsom salt soak if the bloat continues. Sadly we also have to consider other illnesses but hopefully it's what you say it is!

@anewbie well I can see one of the swords floating at the top of the tank- which is what I believe @Odd Duck is referencing as the bad behavior.

Daphnia for the constipation. (no peas)

Oh and since I no longer need to put the CPD in my Flex9, this tank (the 12G) will only have White and the Guppies! (and now for another Title/Thread change!)

Haha! I dare you! (as long as they're aquarium safe, or made to be!) Yeah. You never know. I'm hoping White isn't a bully- he has such long fins I'm of the opinion even if he is he'll have a hard time chasing Guppies. I'll probably not do a build thread on the 7 gallon. It will likely be a quick build with the items I ordered and decor from stuff I have on hand. (I have a Chinese dragon I love a lot that was pulled from a Betta tank long ago and has not been used for a while -it's a bubbler but never been used as one, and my Betta at the time liked to lay in the Dragon's mouth, lol- it's common but I like it). The Dragon will be the centerpiece in the cube and it will be well planted. I think I'm going to use an MD fishtanks method as I have some mesh bags, filling it with some of my Stratum and capping it with ?? I haven't decided yet. Then I'll be using plants I have and plants I bought to use in the 12G which will now also be used in this 7. I've also decommissioned the 4 gallon having given away my CPDs to another fish keeper so I'll use what was in there as well. I think it will be a nice looking tank but not super interesting like this crazy bookshelf project.

Exactly!! This is one reason I didn't heat my betta rescue QTs. I've sadly cooked adult fish in my small QT b4 ☹️☹️☹️ (With a very small preset heater!!!)

This is funny!!! When one drives around all the time and can pick things up it gives one a perspective and appreciation for things you take for granted.

Caves? Hoops? Tunnels? Floating and/or sinking balls (I've seen puffers push them around) On the food motivation thing, bloodworms, tweezers and motivation to go through said obstacles above. Then maybe in his "off" time he would find those things are fun enough to "play with" when you're not around.

Very cool! This is the part that scares the crap out of me in smaller QT!

Red and White will get official names when they get moved into their permanent tanks. Gives me more time to contemplate.

I'm sorry @nerdyaquarist that really, really sucks. It sadly happens so you're not alone in this, but I know that isn't really a comfort. At least you did find them. :-(