My Betta's not eating?

Question

My fishy had a mild case of fin rot. I treated him for a week and he's been back to his normal self for a week after that, but he will not eat. So basically he hasn't eaten in 2 weeks.

I have Mardley mini-pellets, which he LOVED, and after I began to treat him with Melafix and aquarium salt, in addition to starting to add water purifier (if I use tap water), he hasn't eaten a bite.

Now that his fins are all better, I just add water purifier to keep his water clean (only if I have to use tap) everytime I do a partial change/full change to prevent future illness.

I've also recently moved him into a tank that's about a half gal. bigger (1.5gal into a 2gal) to try and cheer him up & get him to eat, but to no avail.

I do well about his water temperature, changes, and keeping him occupied with toys and tunnels. Someone please tell me what's wrong with my fishy?

All answers greatly appreciated! =)

Answer 1

For starters, don't alternate between tap water and bottled water. Pick one water source and stick with it, because a change in water parameters (ph, hardness, etc) can be a shock to a betta's system. Tap water is perfectly fine and in fact may contain minerals that are essential to your fish, which purified water does not contain. Just be sure to use a water condition to neutralize the chlorine.

Have you noticed improvements and regrowth with his fins? In my experience, Melafix is not a very reliable medication. If you do not notice improvement, consider treating with a course of Maracyn-2.

The move to a bigger tank may have shocked him (but in the long run, it's better for him) - consider giving him lots of plants (silk or real) for him to feel safe in. Do you have a filter? If not, consider the AZOO palm filter.

He may still be feeling off. Try feeding him some freeze dried, frozen, or live bloodworms or mosquito larvae or brine shrimp. Bettas usually love these.

Or, try to offer him a piece of shelled pea, in case he is impacted and feeling bloated which may be the case. Do you have a heater? Bettas are warmwater fish and require a temp of 80F - consider getting a small heater if you don't have one aleady.

Good luck with him!

Answer 2

A few clarification about thing others have said.

1)Betta are carnivores and will only eat plants out of extreme hunger. Generally they need to be fed 5-6 days a week, but not much more than the size of their eye ball. That said they can go a long time without food. More than a week is very unhealthy.

2)Bettas live for 2-4 years after you buy them. ( 3-5 years total) A betta who only lives 1 year most likely died from poor water conditions.

3)Bettas can live in any water it's legal to drink if the chlorine is removed 1st. Personally I just age my tap water in a bucket for 48 hours, but water treatments work. What is bad is rapid changes of temp, and chemistry. I wouldn't use bottled water as it might come from different places, and have very different chemistry even if it's the same brand. Distilled, and purified water is too pure for a betta as it lack minerals.

4)Betta are tropical fish 75-85 is their ideal range. Lower than 70 is bad for them.

It this point I'd be rather concerned. Betta rarely last 3 weeks with out food. I'd be sure to completely clean his bowl/tank every week. Be sure that the new water and old are the same temp to the touch. Don't let excess food rot in the water. You could try some freeze dried brine shrimp, but if he eats it don't feed him more than his eye ball in volume per day.

Feeding:
1)Make sure it's light and it has been on for several minutes.
2)Put a mirror next to the tank for a minute.
3)Remove the mirror, and gently stir the surface of the water with your finger.
4)Once he comes to investigate drop in a single pellet, or tiny pinch of food.

Meds: Melafix is an okay med, and fairly gentle, but it's not as strong as something like trisulfa. Salt is not very useful other than treating nitrite poisoning, and preventing itch, or velvet.

Answer 3

I'm sorry, but I think your fish is going to die. They stop eating before they die. Also, most fish only live for a year or two.

I would keep a close eye on the temperature, and reduce the amount of water purifier you are using. It might also help to lower the temperature by a degree or two if it is warm in your area. You may be also overtreating the water. I always use less than the amount recommended, and only do a partial water change every 2-3 wks. (quarter to half the water) I've got two tanks (one heated) and my fish live for two or 3 years. I would also try using flakes instead of pellets to see if it helps.

Answer 4

If you put a plant in the water with him, he will eat stuff off the plant. That's what mine does and we don't have to feed him but twice a week.