They are my boss' fish, but of course, i take care of them. One won't eat, hasn't eaten in weeks. He had mouth fungus which we medicated him for and it went away but he comes up to the food as it floats and he just pushes it away with his mouth. Looks as though he wants to eat it, but won't. Is this the end for my little buddy? I'm sad. They've been alive for almost 3 1/2 years. Anyone?
2007-05-24 09:43:19 · 9 answers · asked by ♫Mama of One♫ 4 in Pets ➔ Fish
B. splendens grows to an overall length of approximately 6 cm (~ 2.3" in), and has an average life span of four years. Well-kept aquarium specimens have often lived well beyond six years. There are reports of captive Bettas living 10 or more years in laboratory settings.
You did an excellent job for 3 1/2 yrs...taking into consideration that most bettas are already full grown when sold.
2007-05-24 11:38:05 · answer #1 · answered by Barb R 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you know of a vet that will treat fish, try that, maybe there's some kind of damage to his mouth that they can fix?
Try putting a little bit of aquarium salt in the water (just a spoonful, read the directions for freshwater tanks) to give him a booster. Try breaking his food up smaller; maybe give him some bloodworms, which are a Betta favorite, to coax him to try to eat.
Otherwise I am sorry but I don't know of anything else to do -- if he hasn't eaten in weeks, he may not make it.
2007-05-24 16:53:12 · answer #2 · answered by goddessdawnie 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's really impossible to say with the info you have provided. If you can get a few more details, like what kind of fish and what you are feeding them as well as anything else out of the ordinary you see about the fish maybe we can help.
MM
2007-05-24 16:57:15 · answer #3 · answered by magicman116 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I''ve heard that bettas tend to live for only 3 years or so. You have an old betta.
Maybe try some different food for him. Check out the link I've posted below. It helped us diagnose when our betta got sick. He recovered!
2007-05-24 17:16:37 · answer #4 · answered by eurdnia 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your Beta fish is just old. You're lucky that your fish lived as long as he did. But look on the bright side - now you have an excuse to buy a new and exciting Beta that can provide you with even more new "fishy" memories.
XOXO,
Laurie
2007-05-24 19:09:43 · answer #5 · answered by Laurie 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Aww
That is sad. I watched my Beta die at my office. I think it got overfed. There is some kind of drop you can put in the water to prevent fungus. Did you try that?
Good luck!
2007-05-24 16:46:59 · answer #6 · answered by Elisabeth 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Take him to the store. They get stressed sometimes and need new slime. At least that is what I call it. It is a coating taht the fish needs to protect itself. THat happened to me when I was pet sitting for my friends kids. I brought it to Petsmart to get a new one and the associate squirted it with this clear "slime" and it was fine in about a day or two.
I was so glad that I did not have to get the kid a new "Old" fish.
2007-05-24 16:48:23 · answer #7 · answered by Army family. 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
thats a good long life for a betta. try feeding him frozen bloodworms. just scrape one off the block and dangle it in his face with some tweezers. the only time i ever had bettas turn them down was when it was time for them to go.
2007-05-24 19:41:38 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
man take it in to vet already
2007-05-24 16:50:25 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋