Fish E.R.

Last night I came home to find my two-year-old Betta fish, Satchmo, swimming (more like laying) on his sides in the tank. Fearing that he was near death, I did everything I could to get him some more oxygen. I 'fished' him out, cleaned the tank and filter thoroughly, and returned him to it leaving the filter on. I hadn't had this running in quite some time and I remembered why - it's loud. Every time I turned the filter off so that I could sleep, he would again start gasping for air on his sides. I finally solved the problem by sleeping in another room on the couch where I couldn't hear the filter but was uncomfortable all night.

Something tells me he's going to make it. He's gotten through all kinds of less than ideal conditions before with me as a fish-mom. I really don't want to give him the flush, but something has got to happen with that filter. I'll look for another spot in the house tonight - if he's still alive then.