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Sorry to hear that Crabby. May I suggest checking out my Local Fish Shop for a replacement. https://nanotanksaustralia.com.au/product/assorted-hm-hmpk-ee-males/ They have some stunning bettas.

They're wonderful looking guys. I'll have a think about it. I have a local breeder with cheaper but equally beautiful stock who I'm thinking about getting a male and female from, actually, but I haven't decided yet. Originally I was just going to get a female from the breeder, and breed her and Jupiter. Only issue now is I might get some problems from the inbreeding, so if I did that (this is all assuming I actually have the skill to breed them) I'd have to cross my F1 favourite breeder with something outside the gene-pool, so maybe I would go to nanotanks aus. I got Jupiter from 7 Fishes, which also has a magnificent collection. Also GEEZ you're lucky to have nanotanks as your LFS, that's amazing. I'm a little jealous. From what you said before it does sound quite similar. It is pretty disheartening. No, I'm still really wanting to keep and breed some bettas. They're just such a beautiful fish. Of course I can't 'replace' Jupiter, he really was special to me, but I would still like to keep some. Definitely will have a less reclined approach next time. Gonna make sure everything is perfect first. I think I got too comfortable, thinking it would all be fine since I have decent tap water and some experience now. Thanks guys.

Very sorry to hear that! It seems spookily like my early attempts at keeping betta and why I gave up for a long time with them. I put the success now down to JayC great advice with the parameters (as per the beginning of this thread) and letting the tank settle more than I would normally - we all get impatient, especially if there is a tank ready with nothing in it??? My parameters have not matched all of JayC but I got as near as I could using what was available to me using tap water, GH+ etc, the PH started at 7 and after a few months went up to 7.5 (that worried me at the time but has been constant now for over a year and I assume it happened very gradually as the test kits only show variations of .5) but they don't seem to mind even - maybe it is because of the KH? The difference has been instant from the start this time, where they were shy and not interested in interacting or food when I tried previously, these last couple were the opposite from day 1. I hope this experience hasn't put you off having another betta? Incidently, I feed mine bug bites directly by moistening an old shrimp lolly sick (matchstick would do), then picking up 1 or 2 bug bites, and then feed the killie and betta about 2 mm above the water surface, they attack it and it means you know they have had food and that they also haven't had too much! Simon

WD40 might not be the best for lubricating. Try a drop of lubricating oil, like 3 in 1 or sewing machine oil, silicon spray, or grease instead.

Thanks for the support and help guys, but I think I just must’ve caught it too late. Kicking myself for not recognising it earlier. Sadly he passed away a couple of days ago. ?