Ive had my Beta fish for about a year and for the last month or so he's been acting sick. He tries to eat, but for some reason cant seem to get the food into his mouth. it's wierd. He's lost all of his pretty blue color and his fins are not as big as they used to be. Ive had other betas beofre and this has never happened. At first, i thought he was starting to die, but with all my other betas they died in like a day. I just feel bad that he's suffering and want to help him if I can. Any suggestions?
2007-07-13 05:13:43 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Fish
his fins are deteriorating. i dont have a filter but i change his water regularly. Do you think i should have a plant in with him? his food is the same brand, but i did buy a new bottle of it. also, what kind of anti biotic should i use? if he isn't sick and i give it to him, will it hurt him more?
2007-07-13 05:40:25 · update #1
he also lives in one of those large vases for bettas. I have some pebbles in the bottom of it.
2007-07-13 05:47:38 · update #2
Hi Kay,
It sounds to me like he has some sort of mouth fungus problem, but maybe internally? Something clearly is wrong with his mouth if he cannot keep the food down. Mouth fungus should show some discoloration on the outside of the mouth and face area. If he is not losing color in that area, then there maybe an internal problem such as a virus or parasite. I'd treat him with a general anti biotic for the time being and I'll pass this on to other Betta breeders on here to see if there is a better treatment that can be done. Help is on the way.
JV
2007-07-13 05:19:00 · answer #1 · answered by I am Legend 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
what are you feeding him?
what does he live in (how big)?
is there a filter, and if not when was the last time you did a water change?
what is the water temp?
is he showing any symptoms such as lumps, patches of white, white speckles, disintegrating fins?
please answer these or we really can't help you much more without just throwing random guesses out there. I'll keep an eye on this question for updates. however, if you've switched food since he stopped eating maybe it's too big to fit into his mouth. I've found a lot of brands that make pellets that are too big for little betta mouths.
*edit*
changing his water regularly means at least once a week, preferably every 3 days. honestly your fish would be a lot better off (and you'd save yourself a lot of time and trouble) if you got him a smaller filtered and heated tank. it only costs about $30max and won't take up any more space than a bowl.
anyway... sounds like fin rot if his fins are going away. this is caused by dirty water usually. do a 100% water change, rinse off anything in the tank with him. then add a fungus medication and an antibiotic to his water. you can find these at your pet store there are many to choose from. look for a broad spectrum antibiotic and a fungus med that treats fin rot. follow the directions that come with them.
I would also pick up some aquarium salt for freshwater tanks and add 1/2 a teaspoon to every gallon of water he is in from now on.
*edit 2*
:o not another vase! oi, these are terrible homes for bettas or any other fish for that matter. vases are meant for flowers, not fish. PLEASE get your fish a proper home, meaning a filtered and heated tank of at least 2.5gallons. fin rot is caused by poor water conditions, which are easy to achieve in a vase. bettas a re tropical fish and prefer their water temp around 80°F. now mind you yes, breeder often keep their bettas in jars, but they keep them in a special room where the temp is high enough to not need filters and do water changes every 3 days, no excuses.
*one more thing, no plant in a vase. there's really no room and the floating plants will block the surface and bettas are surface breathers.
2007-07-13 12:37:29 · answer #2 · answered by Kylie Anne 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
I only want to add a few more questions for you. Before giving my opinion. You mention he has lost his pretty blue color, what color does he appear to be now? Is it really faded or darkened... maybe gray instead?
When you mention his fins being smaller, do they have a rough, ragged look with a whitish border or white spots on the ends?
What is the temperature of the vase and is it in a location where that temperature is fairly stable? Not in front of a window or right where an air conditioning vent blows is it?
From what I'm reading so far it sounds like you have two different problems going on, but if you can answer these questions it will certainly help. I'll check back every few hours to see if you have updated the info and I'll edit my answer based on what you say.
MM
2007-07-13 15:53:26 · answer #3 · answered by magicman116 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Thanks Jon for the heads up. It could be fin rot or a fungus. Go to the pet store and get Maracyn Two and Maroxy. These used together should help him. Like Kylie said the vase is no place for any type fish. Be sure to change his water at least everyother day. And go purchase a real tank with a heater and filter to put him in.
2007-07-13 15:05:23 · answer #4 · answered by LuvinLife 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
possibly change the water again but make sure it is de-chlorinated. A plant is a good thing because it provides oxygen. If you give antibiotics it shouldn't hurt if he is not sick. Let us know how he turns out. Good luck
2007-07-13 12:55:06 · answer #5 · answered by Snuffy Smith 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Its prolly just his time. Most beta's only live for about a week or a month if you're lucky. Did you move him or do anything else that may have given him a shock? If they turn clear, they will die. He is very old.
2007-07-13 15:24:13 · answer #6 · answered by Starr Noir: Queen of the Mods 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋
I have no idea what the life expectancy is but it's possible he's just getting old.
2007-07-13 12:16:42 · answer #7 · answered by mageta8 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
that happened to mine and it's over a year old, and i thought it was gonna die, this happened for about a week. but now it acts like when i bought it.
2007-07-13 12:17:29 · answer #8 · answered by lala 16 5 · 0⤊ 4⤋
hes probably lonely
put a mirror in front
2007-07-13 12:23:21 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
hold a mirrow up to him.
2007-07-13 12:16:07 · answer #10 · answered by Kimberly M 3 · 0⤊ 4⤋