I havn't feed him for about 3 weeks, i know, i know, im a terrrible person...... but hes at the bottom, he is not dead, his gills are moving, but its like he can't get to top, a peice of food floated by and he went up about 2 cm but then gave back down, could he not have enough energy to get to the top? im scared he will die..... please help me!!!!!!!!!!!11
2007-05-03 08:59:33 · 7 answers · asked by Blue Rain 6 in Pets ➔ Fish
Hes a betta, 2 1/2 years old, the tank isn't that big its alittle bit bigger than those juice pitchers, about the same shape too
Could he like not have enough energy to get to the top???
2007-05-03 09:32:01 · update #1
I have a filter, but i dont know any thing about the water, its normal water not like salt water or anything
2007-05-03 09:33:59 · update #2
It sounds as though even when there's food available (if it's floating by), he's not eating. This doesn't sound very good for your fish. It might help if we knew what kind he was, how long you've had him, the size of his tank, if you have a filter, and anything you know about the water chemistry (pH, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate). If you can add this by using the pencil icon under the question and clicking "add details", it would help!
Have you done any recent water changes? I'd start by doing a 25% water change, using water that's about the same temperature as the water he's in. Add whatever you use to remove chlorine/chloramine from your water if you use tap water.
ADDITION: Depending on the amount of time since your last water change, I'd recommend two 25% changes - this way the water chemistry is changed more slowly. Lowering his water level will help him get to the top. By changing the water, you'll also increase the amount of dissolved oxygen in his water (which might be low at the bottom).
If the food has been in the bowl for a while, you should get out as much as possible.
If you have a thermometer, see that his water temperature is above 75o. Below this they become lethargic and don't move or eat much. Warmer water decreases the dissolved oxygen, though, so having filter to increase water circulation and dissolved oxygen will help him out.
Also, be aware that the average life span for a betta is 2-3 years, although there have ben instances where they've lived for as long as 9 years.
2007-05-03 09:26:48 · answer #1 · answered by copperhead 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Until Copperhead can update his info to reflect your new information, let me suggest that you do a 50% or so water change for your fish and clean any gunk out of the filter. This will really help perk him up and maybe he will start eating again. I feel sure if you haven't fed him in that time you probably also forgot to clean his tank so the water is probably pretty bad, this can make him act like yours is acting so try that water change and we'll hope for the best.
MM
2007-05-03 09:46:38 · answer #2 · answered by magicman116 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In my personal experience, I had these conditions and found out it was a internal disease. Does your betta' stomach look puffed up? If so, there might be internal parasites invading the intestine.
2007-05-04 18:50:31 · answer #3 · answered by flipnotik 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hold him and hand feed him or turn off the current in the tank(pump) and maneuver the food to his lips. Thats about your only option.
2007-05-03 09:05:48 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
put some food right next to him
2007-05-04 04:27:08 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You shouldn't be able to own a fish if you can't feed it. If he doesn't eat then that's what you get for being a bad mom!
2007-05-03 09:15:41 · answer #6 · answered by cr@c@l@c@j@clynn 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
if he not eat he will die one of the day
2007-05-03 09:14:37 · answer #7 · answered by sallyann f 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋