rescued my friends Betta yesterday~ she had her Betta in a small 1 gallon tank in filthy water probably never changed it the water was dark brown. Since I brought him home I placed him in a little bowl with fresh tap water with a few drops of tap safe 3 pebbles of epson salt and a little stress defense (bio Safe) he is barely breathing he barely comes up for air but struggles he is very skinny but will refuse to eat. He is just lying at the bottom of the tank and can barely make it up for air... what should I do?
2006-12-25 11:32:46 · 9 answers · asked by betta 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
He will undoubtedly be suffering from an internal bacterial infection - very common after being kept in poor conditions.
Do him a big favour and buy Myacin & Myacin 2. Treat him with them both and reduce salt to 2-3 PINCHES per litre. Treat for 9 days.
Feed him small quantities of food daily but remove it after an hour or so.
Change his water every week but while treating change 1/3 daily.
Melafix is useless with internal infection and the salt is only to help boost his electrolytes.
You must treat him quickly before he becomes too ill to absorb the meds.
2006-12-26 06:33:27 · answer #1 · answered by Dark Angel Rogue 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd have to agree with skipping the Epsom salt. I've seen this recommended more as a cure for dropsy to expel excess water. Unless he's visibly thin or has a sunken abdomen, i wouldn't think underfeeding. It may take a betta a while to get used to the idea that peas are food, but don't give up on that. It helped when I pinched off tiny bits of the pea (about the size of his pellet food) for mine. What you can try is soaking the food in a bit of tank water (or the medication) before giving it to him. Be glad that he's still got an appetite. From what I've seen of chain store bettas and the water conditions they're kept in, I would be more inclined to think the condition has a bacterial cause. Go with MM's recommendations on treating that if he hasn't improved in a few days from a change in the diet.
2016-05-23 06:31:05 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If he's not eating, stop feeding him for a day or so. Any food he doesn't eat will dissolve and become toxic in the water... the hardest thing I learned w/my betta fish was that he only needed a kernal or so a day of the food. Good luck! Some fish just don't make it, but at least you've tried.
2006-12-25 17:29:56 · answer #3 · answered by Vaughn 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
first you shocked the pooo out of him he is not used to clean fresh water you should have done it gradually not so quickly even though i know you thought you was doing the right thing, he is in shock give him a few days hope he comes out of it most betta do stay at bottom and lay around alot, betta come from mud puddles in another country they survive real well in yucky water...... when he starts blowing bubbles you will know he is ok.
2006-12-25 13:11:03 · answer #4 · answered by jittarbug 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
just wait and see waht happens. or some salt from the pet's store might help. i have salt from the pet's store and it helps my fish a lot when they're stressed.
2006-12-25 11:52:09 · answer #5 · answered by Emily F 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it must be sick of ammonia.....ammonia is the number one killer of fish....if u keep the water dirty ammonia bulilds up and makes the fish sick...so tell ur friend to be ashamed of her/ his self.....it is very nice of u to rescue it though......and when they're sick they dont wanna eat or swim or anything....hope this helps a lot....
2006-12-26 09:11:43 · answer #6 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
he may not make it.
but I always use MELA FIX, it is all natural, no chemicals.
maybe a little prayer., good luck!
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2006-12-25 11:36:49 · answer #7 · answered by BubbleGumBoobs! 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Give him a few days then flush him to fish heaven.
2006-12-25 11:40:17 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Well its a new inviorment so changes are scary.
2006-12-25 11:58:52 · answer #9 · answered by wood explorer 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋