I have beta fish and have had him for 5 yrs. To be honest...I usually only clean him once every couple of weeks....I only feed him every couple of days, and I use tap water that I let sit for a few hours (with a drop of Chlorin-Out). Obviously, my care of him has kept him happy this long! :) BUT...lately he his at the bottom alot, doesnt come swimming over when he sees me coming anymore, and I know this sounds weird...but his eyes look bulgy and sick. He is still eating some....but not racing to the top for it like usual. Is he just getting old? And if you dont think that's the case....any other suggestions? Can't wait to hear some answers! Thanks!
2006-10-13 05:26:55 · 14 answers · asked by scotiagirljen 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
If his eyes are getting bulgy, he may have a bacterial infection called Popeye. Go to Petco or Petsmart with a water sample. They'll analyze it for free. Tell them what the symptoms are and they will sell you an antibiotic treatment for the water to get your fish better.
2006-10-13 05:39:01 · answer #1 · answered by T_Jania 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Go get some ick, You can go to any pet store and ask for it and yes that is not a typo it is called ICK... With the eyes and slow moving he may have a touch of fish flu (not really what it is called but what I call it) Follow the directions on the container. Betas are tough fish, he just needs medicine once in a while. Betas can live for 5 to 10 years. Of course 10 years the fish has to be taken care of like a king lol. Your fish could just be getting old, but instead of just chancing it Go get the ICK and at least give him a fighting chance in case he is sick.
2006-10-13 05:42:37 · answer #2 · answered by sisinlovewithyou 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know how old your beta fish might live to however have you consider a fungal disease. However must of these diseases are identifiable by discolouration on the fish. Most comonly around the eyes, mouth or gills. also by joints where fins, etc. attach. If so then you need to note the apperance and consult a book/website/fish shop/ or back here with more details Best of luck
2016-05-21 23:00:33 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Given you've had him for 5 years he's nearly 6 years old. Which makes him really really old. (3-5 yeas is the expected life span)
It sound like he's got popeye from a bacterial infection. Normally I'd tell you to start cleaning his water once a week, go to 5-6 day feed schedule with a much smaller amount of food, and start a course of anitbotics. To be honest even aggressive treatment with trisulfa may not be enough if he's going into organ failure.
Treatment:
Trisulfa, marcyn plus, or any broad spectrum antibotic
primafix (for secondary fungal infections)
2006-10-13 06:38:08 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can find some awesome resources on the web! I forget what it's called, but I think your fish is sick! Bulging eyes can be a symptom of sick Betas. Just google Beta Fish Care!
5years is really old for a beta though too! He may just be getting ready to go! =(
Good luck, hope this helps!
2006-10-13 05:37:20 · answer #5 · answered by Jackson 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow!! You've had him for 5 years!! That's wonderful. I've never had one live so long, and I try so hard to keep the water right, and feed him special Beta food, and all that....
I'd say he's probably just an old man. I guess he's reached the end of his life span as we all must some day.
I've had one live 2 or maybe 3 years (can't remember exactly), but never longer than that. Good Job.
2006-10-13 05:37:17 · answer #6 · answered by hotdancingmoma 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bulgy eyes is a sign of popeye, like someone else has said. It is also usually the beginning of dropsy (when the body swells up and the scales stick out like a pinecone). Once it gets to that stage its harder to cure but since he is getting old it may just be his time. Dropsy can have a few different reasons for happening and one of them is when the kidneys stop working, which could be from old age. If you would like to treat him you will need maracyn 1 and 2 and epsom salt.
2006-10-13 05:50:14 · answer #7 · answered by Nunya Biznis 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you betta has bulgy eyes he probably has popeye and also, yeah he probably is just getting old, i never had one live that long! other than that you took really good care of him, you should go get your water tested at petco, and see whats wrong, then go get some medication, i have a sick betta write now too, somone told me to get permafix and metafix one treats bacteria and the other is somthing else that i dont remember but to use both of them at once, buy them mixed togeither it should say if it has it on the bottle of medication, or somthing, Good Luck with your betta hope it feels better!
2006-10-13 06:41:16 · answer #8 · answered by Benjamin L 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here's an interesting website with betta facts. Their life expectancy is only 2-3 years, so you've done really well!
http://freshaquarium.about.com/cs/anabantids2/p/betta.htm
2006-10-13 05:57:36 · answer #9 · answered by dph 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are correct - he is very old. Beta's don't normally survive for that long. I had one(my kid's actually) and he did exactly what yours is doing about a month before I found him floating one morning. We had it for almost 4 years.....
2006-10-13 05:31:37 · answer #10 · answered by akelaamy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋