i have a male betta which i have had for about 6 months.he's in a five gallon tank.?

Question

for the last couple of days..actually more like a week..he has't been eating and just laying at the bottom of the tank..and today he's not only laying at the bottom of the tank he seems to be breathing very heavily and l aying on his side..He doesn't look good at all..I tried changing and treating his water..and filter. it hasn't worked.Could someone PLEASE tell me what could maybe be wrong..is there anything else i can maybe do..or is it just his time..I've had him for 5 or 6 months..

Answer 1

First off, a betta can live up to 8 years with proper care, and you have already at least the right size for him

It sounds like your betta has constipation

Constipation can strike your betta just like it can you. It is unpleasant but can eventually kill your betta if not treated.

CAUSES:

One of the main reasons a betta becomes constipated is because their main diet is too rich. If you are feeding blood worms or brine shrimp on a daily basis, you can give your betta constipation. Another common cause of constipation is lack of variety in a betta's diet. An easy solution for this is alternating between food types for meals, such as a few pellets in the morning and flakes at night, brine shrimp the next day, etc. A third cause of constipation may be overfeeding at meal times.

PREVENTION:

Some betta owners fast (do not feed) their betta for one day per week to cleanse the betta's system. This is a useful method to prevent constipation, especially if live or frozen foods are fed on a regular basis. Another feeding option thought to prevent constipation is splitting a betta's feeding up into two small meals per day, rather than one larger meal. This reduces the amount of food intake at one time and allows the betta's system to process it easier. Always remember a betta's stomach is about the size of his eyeball, so a little food goes a long way. Variety in a betta's diet is important both to prevent constipation, and insure they are receiving the necessary nutrients to stay healthy.

DIAGNOSIS:

A constipated betta will have an unusually swollen abdomen but in all other rights appear and act normally.

TREATMENT:

Treatment for constipation is rather simple and can be cured very quickly. As mentioned above try to feed your betta a more varied diet and possibly smaller portion sizes.

To rid yourself of the constipation problem, fast your betta for 24-48 hours. Next, take a cooked pea and peel it. Feed a small portion of it to your betta on the end of a flat toothpick. Within the next day or so you should see the swelling go down and a few little deposits at the bottom of the tank. Watch to make sure your betta is going to the bathroom, as this will mean the constipation is subsiding.

NOTE: if your betta continues to swell after treatment of constipation and you are noticing that he is having bowel movements, something else could be the problem like Dropsy, Bloat, Swim Bladder Disorder, or a tumor.

Additional procedures:

Clean water is always important for a betta, but is especially beneficial for any betta facing an illness.

Always keeping your betta warm, between 76-82 degrees, will also help them to feel more comfortable and raise their immune system.




Hope that helps
Good luck


EB

Answer 2

Add non-iodized salt. I just bought a male betta fish over the weekend, together with a betta guidebook, and the guidebook stated that adding non-iodized salt (1 tablespoon per gallon) can improve a betta fish who may be diseased or sick. This can also help when water changes shock or irritate the fish. My little guy got a water change yesterday and was sickly looking afterwards, but as soon as I added the salt, he improved greatly and started to swim around. As of this morning, he's doing great. Repeat after 3 days, if necessary.

Answer 3

I have had 3 bettas and my friend has has 2. I don't know if it is the care that they are given before you take them in or what. I cleaned my fishes water on every 2 to 3 weeks. We had him in a bowl. He seemed perfectly fine and then a few months went by and he just died.

I just read that they live an average of 2 years, but I have never had one last that long.

I am sorry to hear that your fish isn't doing too good.

Answer 4

Betta's can live for 3 to 4 years, if taken care of. I'd try feeding him some frozen food, you can get at almost any pet supply store, ans see if it helps. Betta's are aggressive fish and normally have a carnivorous diet and most can fish food is basically a vegetarian diet. He might just need some protein if it's not too late. If he is lying on his side it's probably too late but I'd try it.

Answer 5

Make sure he doesn't have little white dots on his head cause he could be sick with that disease but I can't remember what it's called. Maybe he is an old betta?

Answer 6

He could be sick. Double cjeck everything to make sure and feed him some live and/or freeze dried brine shrimp or bloodworms to make him feel a little better.

Answer 7

Check out his body and see if he has any white spots or bumps or bloody streaks..check out theis website.....www.nippyfish.net....its really good with bettas

Answer 8

http://www.oneworldinternetcafe.com/betta/betta_fish_diseases.html

Answer 9

its normal bettas are very lazy fish

Answer 10

He may be sick, or he may be older than you think he is.