Betta sick?

Question

I have a betta that I received around three months ago, from a friend who had him for about four. I assume he's about two years old by now. He was blowing bubbles at the top of the tank and generally being a happy fish until a couple of weeks ago...now he is floating horizontally, and breathing very hard through his gills. He no longer breaths through his mouth. Occasionally I'll tap the tank to see if he's still alive, at which time he'll go psycho and dart around...then back to laying on the plant, or the corner of the tank, and breathing through his gills. A couple of nights ago he was jumping from the bowl, so I got him a new full gallon tank to see if he'd thrive in it. No use. He's not eating...I've tried pellets, bloodworms and flakes. I read online that he may be ill and I should try non-iodized salt to see if he gets better, but first...will this help, is he just getting to be a senior, or is he dying? He hasn't eaten nor passed food since his tank change a week ago.

I just checked with local services...there is no chlorine whatsover in this water - water around here is bottled and shipped all over the world. I added some destiller at any rate, I'll see how he does until the next partial water change. If it doesn't clear up after that, I'll have him put to sleep.

Perhaps I should add that the tank tapping is very occasional, only when he looks completely dead. I checked with a local marine biologist on the subject and said it only hurts their hearing if they're naturally a very stressed fish.

Unfortunately Greg, the betta, died last night. He was listening to the radio.

Thanks so much for all of your help, however. It has taught me how to deal with this problem if it should ever arise again.

Answer 1

Determining the cause of the problem is just as important as curing it. Most betta illnesses are caused by poor water quality. It's important that all fish keepers have their water tested for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH levels regularly. For betta keepers who keep their fish in bowls it is even more important because so much more can go wrong. Small volumes of water are much harder to maintain then larger ones because concentrations of toxins build very quickly. They are also subject to rapid temperature fluctuations that are stressful to fish.

If you don't have the proper test kits at home, most fish stores will test your water for free if you bring in a cup. You will want to make sure your ammonia levels are 0, nitrites are 0 and since it's a bowl you probably don't have any nitrites. Though, for your information, a level under 20 ppm is good. The pH should be stable and the temperature should be warm and not fluctuating. Between 78-80F is best. Room temperature water is too cold for bettas and will often lead to lethargy. Warming up the water slowly over a couple of days with an aquarium heater (sized accordingly) will often do the trick. Again, I stress the key is stability. Set some of the old water aside to be tested and do a water change to make sure he is in clean water.

Answer 2

Bettas generally live to be 3-5 years old, and are .5-1 year old when sold. So it's not likely age. This sounds like a swim bladder disorder, or dropsy. (See link) Or he could have injured himself jumping. He could have been suffering from ammonia poisoning. (Containers less than 2.5 gallons you need to change the water every 4 days or so.) Or you could have subjected him to a rapid change in temp. Note that based on what you've said he is likely a goner.

Salt might help. You don't need non iodinized salt. (The amount of iodine is very minimal, salt water has iodine, fish need iodine too, and betta most likely absorb less any way.) A week of not eating isn't that bad he could go weeks without food. (More than a week of fasting is bad, but not a death sentence.)

I'd advise a broad spectrum antibacterial agent, 1 tea spoon of salt per gallon, moving him to a warmer room that doesn't get big temp swings, and clean his tank every 3-4 days. Just be sure to keep the temp of the old and new water as close as possible.

Antibacteria agent- Marcyn Plus, MelaFix, or Trisulfa.

Answer 3

I had a betta one time that lived to be five, but I think he was an exception. I did have another one and he only lived to be two. It could be chlorine in the water, so you should add some of that stuff that gets rid of the chlorine that you get from the pet store. It comes in drops, I think. But, I have had other fish before, and when they died, they swam oddly, like in spirals, and beat themselves against the glass. It was sad and creepy to watch. I think your fish may just be dying. If he is, then there really isn't anything to do. I hope that he gets better.

Answer 4

It could be from chlorine in the water! Did you let the water sit 2 days before you put it in the tank, or add chlor-out? Most fish don't live all that long! I had a betta that lived for about 8 months, and i took good care of it! They only live a few months, so it could be about to die! I hope it gets better!

Answer 5

My betta was sick for a while. He would just float at the top of the tank and generally not move much at all. So of course, I started to do research. I changed his water again, (he got sick about when I changed it) I didn't feed him for a day and it seeemed to work. :) I don't know if it would be the right soloution in your case, but I hope your fish gets better. Google betta care maybe?

Answer 6

hi. I basically at the moment all started a sorority, so listed right here are some assistance from my journey. you want a minimum of five to save it operating. yet you won't be able to upload anymore now except you want to eliminate each and each of the fish and thoroughly rearrange each and each of the decor. regrettably it truly is what you ought to do, because you would possibly want to ought to eliminate the pink lady as a results of rigidity and positioned her into her own tank. then you want to bypass out and purchase a minimum of two more desirable fish, so as that there'll be 5. i propose you get more desirable even with the undeniable fact that, because no longer all females will be suited in a sorority. Out of my 10, I had to eliminate 3! As for the girl with torn fins, as long as she is swimming effective and appearing as common she should be effective; fins improve decrease back. to promote the fin boost and forestall fin rot, I advise including API Bettafix or API rigidity Coat for a lengthy time period.

Answer 7

How often did you change his water before, and how much of it did you change? What kind of water source do you have, is it well water?

Answer 8

hey sorry man I've gone through this too they always have died , sorry I think your fish is pretty much a goner

Answer 9

He may be sick, oh and please don't tap on the glass it hurts there hearing.