Betta fish eating problem???

Question

The last time my fish ate was 7 days ago. I gave him different kinds of food but he didn't eat anything. His color has faded and he has lost a lot of weight. Do you have any idea on how I can make him eat something???????

Answer 1

Hopefully this is not just your fish gettting old.

Here are a few things to do (check)
*Temperature; make sure it is between 70- 78 F
*Change water (50% approx.)
*Make sure toxins from any nearby sources are not getting into his tank.
*Make sure there are proper electrolyte and calcium levels in his tank (often forgotten). see this article:
http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/AquariumKH.html
*soak all dry foods for 5 minutes prior to feeding.

As for treatments, fading and loss of appetite can be a symptom of many problems from velvet to vibrio. General the bacterial infections that will cause a loss of color are gram negative so you want to add a treatment which is effective for this such as Kanamycin, Nitrofuarazone or Pimafix.
Melafix is gram negative and generally effective only for torn fins. Maracyn (erythromycin) may work, however it is best combined with a gram negative treatment such as Kanamycin.

I would STRONGLY recommend a medicated bath in Methylene Blue as this is a hemoglobin transfer agent and will aid with any anemia and ammonia toxicity as well as many infections.

I recommend reading this article for more medication information as well as how to prepare a Methylene Blue bath:
http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Aquarium_Medication.html

Good Luck!!

Answer 2

He may be depressed, he may have the start of something called dropsy, which i just lost a betta to yesterday after a long battle with medications and treatment.

If all you feed him is the pellet food try spicing it up with some daphnia (petsmart is having a sale right now) or freeze dried bloodworms. there are also frozen alternatives that can get messy and much is wasted, but they are a great source of vitamins. Bettas can survive not eating for nearly a week before "starving" though most bettas act as if they're starving if they haven't been fed in the past 5 minutes.

I'd say do a 50% water change and if you have the stuff dilute about a tablespoon of epsom salts (per gallon) in a small glass of water and then pour slowly into his home.

this is a wonder worker for destressing fish and helping them perk up a little. if he's contipated it'll help it pass gently.

I really hope he starts eating soon. also a desk lamp (at a distance so not to get too hot) will gently increase the water temp and bettas like warmer water, between 75 and 82 degrees farenheight are favored.

Answer 3

I hate to say it, but not eating is only a symptom of an underlying problem. If the fish is wasting away it's probably infection or virus related and to be honest realistically untreatable. The fading color is an indication of over all poor health and is related to both the not eating and the disease. I would caution you that things really look bad for your fish and I wouldn't expect him to make it. I know that's not what you want to hear, but it's the truth. If he doesn't eat in the next day or two I would suggest you humanely euthanize him so that he doesn't suffer.

MM

Answer 4

He is probably getting sick. This ususally occurs when the water becomes toxic. Try changing 25-50% of his water once or twice a week and dont forget to condition the water. If his condition still persists or he developes spots on his body, fins or eyes, try treating him with Melafix or Maricyn, found in most fish/pet stores. Good luck!

Answer 5

my little guy is having the same problem right now...hasn't eaten in about a week, but he doesn't seem to be losing weight or fading in color....so I am REALLY confused.

The local pet store by us has a "fish expert" who told me that if they stop eating, and lose their color they will die soon, there's nothing that can be done.

Best of luck to you!!

Answer 6

try giving him a bigger tank, and give him live foods. Has there been any sudden change in his habitat, like maybe when you cleaned his water, you put him in while it was to cold or something. How old is he, he might just be old...

hope your fish gets better

Answer 7

try live food or the little pellets that bob and make the fish think they are alive. that was all mine would ever eat

Answer 8

my betta is doing the same thing too but he is kind of getting his color back.

Good luck to you

Answer 9

bye a cheap 25 cent fish and put it in there with him he will eat that

Answer 10

he might want someone to see even though they are tetteel
or give him smal fish or human food that he can eat