For all you Betta Splendens lovers...?

Question

I "adopted" a very peaked silver crowned from the pet store (you've done it too, don't laugh!!). In my own defense I didn't pay for him, they gave him to me. He's small and lethargic, and his fins are thready and fragile. No rot, no spots, no dropsy, no bugged-out eyes. he just floats and breathes verrrry sllllloooowly. He's in quarantine for the time being. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

If he isn't displaying any outward symptoms of a specific illness, I would not advise treating him. Medications are hard on fish and should not be used lightly.
I would add a little salt to the water, 1 flat tbsp per 5 gallons of aquarium salt, disolved first.
Make sure the water is 80F, no less. In the wild bettas have temperatures of 79-80F, and this is required to keep them healthy and especially to cure them.

I suggest you put him in a small, filtered tank, like a 3 or 5 gallon thing. Avoid using an under gravel filter as the water movement will stress him. They make little tanks with a filte inside the hood - theres a water pump that pushes water over a sponge and carbon and back into the tank. Something like that would be ideal.

Get lots of plants, silk or real, so he can feel safe and secure.

Try to get some dried almond leaf. E-bay has it. It is a wonderful element to add to the tank as it has anti-bacterial properties, and it will taint the water brownish which will make your betta feel very safe and at home.

Try offering him a piece of shelled pea in case he has a tummy ache, and feed him high quality, meaty foods like frozen brine shrimp, daphnia, blood worms, mosquito larvae, etc. Feed him pellets too, but pre-soak them so they don't expand in his belly.

Beyond that, there's nothing you can do. Keep the water clean and warm, give him good meaty foods, and he should recover nicely :)

Answer 2

Make sure his water ph balance is between 7.0 & 7.6, keep his water at a warm temperature of at least 72 - 76 degrees F. I would suggest using Melafix, it's a great medicine to help with his fins to keep them from becoming infected and to help restore them. Worked great with my guys.

Also make sure he cannot jump out of his tank, they are notoriously known for jumping...lol. Also they have a tendency to "sleep"... which means they look like they are playing dead. I have several that lay on their sides or wedge themselves into something or even hang upside down catching a few zzz's.... weird guys buy very funny.

For more info trying checking out Bettetalk.com.

Answer 3

How is she getting food? Is she raiding the 'refrigerator at nighttime? Is she preventing by way of the mini-mart on her way homestead? No. you're feeding her. there's no secret right here. FEED HER a lot less! She could get a million small meal an afternoon and also you may bypass an afternoon a week.

Answer 4

I would try putting him in a salt dip. It may help if he is stressed or ailing. The amount of salt to use is dependant upon what type of aquarium salt you are using, so just read the back of your container.

Answer 5

have you tested the water? i think that's pretty much what they do anyway, just kinda hang out and blow bubbles on occasion. good luck!