What is cold and wet ... on my foot?
Most mornings I go into the kitchen/dining room to get a cup of coffee before I feed my 50+ bettas. I had to re-locate
my fish room while my home is being built, so most of the shelves and aquariums are in the kitchen. I was looking at
my new fry when I felt something cold and wet on my foot. Yikes! Oh, no, when I looked down it was a BETTA.
Where from? How? All my tanks have tops. I leaned down and the fish took off flopping across the floor. I got him
and then did not know where he went or who he was. He did not look good. Since I did not want to chance throwing
him in with another male, I put him into my water change tank (where I keep treated, ready to use water for water
changes). He floated gently to the bottom, barely breathing. I kept checking on him as I fed the others. Ummm. He is
at the top now, he's upright. Good. By the time I had everyone fed, he was swimming around the tank. Not tons of
energy, but he was up and swimming. I could identify him by now. Ah,ha . . . my black/green male. Looked at the
tank. There was a tiny (1/4 inch maybe) where I had moved the top back to feed last night. That's it. I put him back
into his 2.5 gallon aquarium and adjusted the top so there was NO opening. Just goes to show bettas are really good
jumpers. Most of mine are imported from Thailand where they jump up and eat the insects in the air that fly close to
the water. Mine jump now when I go to feed. Be sure you don't leave ANY room in the top. I am very blessed that Mr.
Black/Green betta is alive and well. He pulled out some of his fins, but other than that he appears fine. His aquarium
is on the top shelve (about 5'4" from the floor), too. I'm treating him with now. Final remarks . . . Keep those tops on
TIGHT!