I work in an orthodontic office and we have a betta fish, that is sort of our office "mascot". It seems he has become sick. He can't seem to swim around normally. He floats to the top and just sits there. The only way he can stay at the bottom is if he sticks himself under the roots of the plant. His fins aren't looking to healthy and he has a little bit of pop-eye. He doesn't look bloated and he still eats just fine. What is wrong with him and how can I fix it?
2007-02-13 10:30:31 · 8 answers · asked by orthofish 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
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2007-02-13 10:42:39 · answer #1 · answered by badnessdc 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like your betta has a swim bladder problem.
One of the biggest causes for this is over-feeding. How often do you feed him? And what are you feeding him? Flakes are said to possibly contribute to this (although you should really feed pellets anyway, they are more nutritious.)
Your betta should be getting a fasting day at least once a week. Cut back on how much you feed him to just a very small amount twice a day. Meanwhile, fast him for several days. His problems should hopefully clear up.
You mention he has pop-eye? Are you sure that he does? Pop-eye looks cloudy and bulging.
How often do you clean the water? Anything smaller than a gallon needs to be cleaned throughly at least once a week. Bad water conditions are an open door to sickness and disease. Unfortunately if thats that case then the swim bladder can be caused by bacterial reasons... and not feeding.
I would recommend that you treat your fish with either a combo of Maracyn (I) and Maracyn II (both at the same time, one covers gram negative, the other positive) or tri-sulfa. (Whatever you do, don't rely on betta max, or pimafix or melafix. They aren't medication but holistic choices. They will not cure pop-eye.)
You'll need to follow the instructions on the package, you can buy them at almost any pet supply store that carries fish things. If you need help in dosing small containers, feel free to message me and I'll help you out.
2007-02-13 11:51:43 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
How old is the fish? If he's approaching two years he's near the end of his life. But what you're describing sounds like swim bladder disease. You can try putting a little aquarium salt in the water this sometimes helps, but this problem is often fatal.
How often do you clean his bowl? If this is a small unfiltered container it should be cleaned twice a week at a bare minimum.
My best advice for you is to go to the pet store and purchase a book on the care and upkeep of Betta's because there's a lot more to know than anyone will be able to tell you here.
Good luck
Eric.
2007-02-13 10:44:07 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well my beta fish also just swims at the top and it could be from changing the water to a different temerature. Like mine, my mom filled the tank with warmer water than noramally and he got into a shock so she added some colder water and seemed a littel better but now my fish doesnt eat.. sometimes when you feed them too much (even though they eat fine) they don't move as much as i had noticed. Just try feeding it a little less and maybe some stress coat could help.
2007-02-13 10:41:27 · answer #4 · answered by Courtney 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Do you have your betta in one of those vases with a plant? I hope not - those are not the ideal environment for those fish. If you do, please make sure there is plenty of surface water - I've seen many vases filled right up to the top with water. Betta need to breathe air! There needs to be surface water and the plant cannot be blocking the air to the surface water. Next, trim the plant roots so the betta can swim around please. Next, are you feeding the betta? One myth is that the betta eats the plant - not true! Betta are carnivores - meat eaters! They need betta food (it says betta right on the canister) - about 6-10 pellets about 2 times a day. If he has pop-eye, there is medication at pet stores for that.
2007-02-13 10:41:22 · answer #5 · answered by mmct21 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
that happened to mine too. Maybe its a bladder infection? I lost one of my bettas to those, my freddy, but luckly i saved my Morgan who just had one. If it is a bladder infection try putting a little bit of sea salt in the bowl/tank every day for about 2 weeks. But b4 u do that, try and research up on it a lil more bcuz it may not be what i think it is
2007-02-13 10:39:16 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
it could be the start of dropsy -- you can try an antibiotic treatment with maracyn and maracyn2 in combination. if he is floating is he kind of sidways? sometimes they get swim bladder problems and its best to just not feed them for a couple of days and then feed them cut up green peas after fasting them.
2007-02-13 10:51:31 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
You should go buy some pinnecilin for tanks. It will kill the bacteria and help the fish get better. Its what I use in my tank when my fish are sick.
2007-02-13 12:12:37 · answer #8 · answered by Allison 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋