My betta fish is not moving. It's on the top of the fishbowl, but if I poke it, it will flutter and move a bit. It won't eat now. There's been a couple of days since I fed it, so did it starve? What do I do?
2007-01-30 11:23:39 · 15 answers · asked by royalhighness789 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
This sounds like a swim bladder disorder, and some other infection. (Mostly likely bacteria, but could be something like velvet.) By itself swimbladder disorders are harmless, but.... The cause(s) the issue may be lethal. Often this is caused by poor water conditions and/or over feeding, but bacteria infections can also cause it. (Honestly overfeeding can lead to bad water conditions which leads to illness.)
You need to keep the betta's water clean, and the water temp in the 75-85F range. An antibiotic might be in order as well. Melafix ,or bettafix is a good start. (Personally I go with a strong broad spectrum med like trisulfa, or Marcyn plus.)
2007-01-30 12:58:31 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a good chance your betta is dying I'm sorry to say, but it's not from missing a few days of food, that's for sure. You didn't give any details about how you are keeping him so it's really impossible to know whats wrong for sure, but I would bet his water is too dirty. Change about half the water in the bowl with clean, declorinated tap water, make sure it's not too hot or too cold for the fish (75 - 85 is good). To be honest, I think he will be either better or dead within a few hours. If he seems o perk up from the water change, be ready to change half again in the morning and again in the evening to get the water cleaned up. From then own change all of it every other day to keep it clean.
Also remember, bettas a little and have a tiny stomach, don;t give too much food it really fouls the water fast.
Best of luck!
2007-01-30 11:35:39 · answer #2 · answered by magicman116 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm sorry to say, but there isn't much of a chance that your betta will survive. Don't flush it while it is still alive! Buy some clove oil and the nearest health food store and put a few drops of it in a clean bowl with water. When you put your fish in it, it will fall asleep and I would recommend putting it in the freezer to finish the job. Did you change the water regularly and put dechlorinizer in the water?
2007-01-30 11:36:31 · answer #3 · answered by bluefairy421 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
my beta (King Louie) likes to sit at the top of the tank alot its normal. sometimes i try to feed him and he won't eat also. its all normal. you should try to remember to feed him about once a day and remember fish can go a long time without eating and still live so i doubt thats why he's not eating. Betas like to do things on their own time. its water may also need to be changed
2007-01-30 11:33:50 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it might not be a good sign... I had a beta once and it acted like that before it died. Is the water temperature ok? Does is have a clean environment? Maybe feed it more regularly also, since I am sure that is not good for it...
2007-01-30 11:29:37 · answer #5 · answered by Juls&Ginger 1 · 3⤊ 0⤋
When my beta was about to die it did that too. Im sorry for this bad news, it might not be true. But thats the same thing that happened to me. Im really sorry. When I first had betas they died in about a month, but if you get a water pump they live A LOT longer. Mine almost lived for a year. So if you decide to get another one I would suggest that.
Hope this helps!
=)
2007-01-30 11:29:30 · answer #6 · answered by iloveyou<3 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
your fish is dying if it is a resent buy it probably due to abuse due to those small cups.
A little fact every year bettas are the most common fish to die due to the small cups they usally live in. number more than 25000 every year
add clove oil to water then freeze fish to put down kindly.Or let him die naturally or maybe he'll get better.
2007-01-30 12:38:05 · answer #7 · answered by Dr. dope 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
God you tards don't tell him to kill it! Wait for it to die-If it dies it dies it's the course of nature but don't kill it! Beta's live to be at least 6 years old if kept well, and mine are currently 10 years and I don't feed them half the time I'm sorry to say. Maybe try some fish stress salts?
2007-01-30 11:49:14 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm sorry but I think your fish is dying. You might not want to, but I think you should freeze him. It sounds horrid, I know, but he's obviously in pain. It's a lot kinder to put him down than to leave him suffering in pain.
2007-01-30 11:41:40 · answer #9 · answered by Samantha 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Could be you need to change the water,might need oxygen,I only feed mine every couple of days
2007-01-30 11:29:29 · answer #10 · answered by redhead 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋