I Managed To Kill Jules!

I don't understand and I'm flabbergasted!

I had my MG/VT in a critter tank without heat for over a week as I decided what to do as far as an upgrade.

I finally set him up with a 5gl with heater, hood and a new filter. Even bought some cheap silk plants as a
tank warming present. This was 3 days ago. He seemed to love his surroundings and was happily swimming around an hour or so ago hinting it was feeding time. I looked at him an few minutes ago and hes dead. Just that quick!

I checked the water conditions, temp and everything was fine except the ammonia level was at 2.0. I
thought since the filter wasn't cycled I'd just continue with scheduled w/c for a few weeks then test the ammonia level. Is this normal for the ammonia to jump that high that quickly. I figured he was the only
one in the tank and he would be safe with continued w/c as there was more water volume per the
ammonia release just by him. What have I missed!

oh bless you sorry I cant help. I do everything wrong with my little guys. no heaters, no filters, no plants, small tanks, see what I mean......no water testing either...perhaps something was in the water from the water company?

I thought maybe I'd forgot to dechlorinate the water but the chlorine was
neutral according to the test. I'm going to test the straight tap water to find
out what it reads. The other 3 Bettas are fine!

Awwwww!!!! *huggles* I don't have any idea!! Maybe there was a chemical connected to the filter or the tank sides or something that the tests don't detect.....some sort of element that has normal readings but is still bad for the fishy? That's the only thing I can think of.....


Though it took my VT 3 days to die when he was poisoned so perhaps not...

Maybe he had an underlying illness you couldn't detect?

Did you have the new tank at a much higher temp straight away? It might've been a temp shock. The ammonia is really high, so maybe it was that

Sorry for your loss x

I would guess that it was a combination of big temperature changes and ammonia at 2ppm. These, added to the stress of changing tanks, would have done it.

I don't how I missed your post SR and Van. I do tend to agree about the
temperature. Of course the ammonia level too.

I figured with regular w/c's he would be alright for a month or until the
tank was cycled. I thought it would take longer for the ammonia level
to reach that high as there was 5 times the water volume. Obviously
I was wrong.

I won't be making that mistake again! And thanks!

Sorry you lost him, we all make mistakes hun

I'm still bummed, but over the shock. Thanks SR!

Sorry for your loss, F.Banks!

Much appreciated SiennaBay!