Beta Fish is Dying-Help!?

Question

I've had him for 2 weeks. He won't eat any of his food-pellets, worm fishy food). I don't see that he's had a bowl movement. He just seems to be losing energy and color, so I'm worried...any advice?? P.S. He's only survived because the only food he'll eat is chicken, but I haven't fed him this lately since fish food is healthier (however, he won't touch the fish food even though that's the only food I give him).

Answer 1

Have you tried frozen bloodworms? Almost all fish will readily take them. When was the last time you fed him? If he goes for a week and a half without eating (they can last more than 2 weeks, but let's stay on the safe side), you may need to give in and give him the chicken again. Though it isn't the healthiest, it is much better than a starving fish.... Email me if you have any questions.

Soop Nazi

Answer 2

Most likely it is the water quality. What do you have him in? When was the last time you did a water change? When ammonia levels rise fish tend to be sluggish and not eat. Also chicken is not healthy for him at all! You should be feeding him a variety of food, such as pellets, flakes, bloodworms, brine shrimp and even live food such as mosquitos and flies. Without the proper nutrients your Betta won't have a bowel movement. Clean out his bowl or tank and check under the gravel for any signs of a bowel movement. Most fish that are constipated will have a swollen looking stomach. You can try to feed him a softened pea with the shell removed, it won't hurt him and will help him go. Also Betta's are tropical fish and should be housed in a heated, filtered tank.
BTW Fish kept in bowls should have their water changed at least 3 times a week.

Answer 3

betas can go longer then 2 months with out food -it isnt healthy buy they can do it, so you dont need to be concerned... yet
there could be a number of reasons why your fish wont eat, stress is usually the answer
is the fish in a really busy spot, does the temp fluctuate too much, is it getting fumes from cleaners or beauty products, is the uneaten food left in the bowl to rot
clean water and a little time will probably help your little guy, change his water and wait a few days before trying to feed him again -then only drop in a pellet or 2
if that doesnt work the frozen blood worm idea should

Answer 4

Ok, if your fish is not eating it's sick.

He may have a fungal infection. Stop feeding him chicken. Bettas are fussy eaters and they definately wont eat if they're sick.
Go straight to an aquarium, dont hesitate, PLEASE (i'm a betta owner too :P) describe the symptoms and they'll sell you a conditioner or something that you can put into the water and cure your fish.. if the fish is getting white, then it has a highly contagious and DEADLY disease called white spot, you can get something to combat that too but act fast.

As for feeding, they LOVE to eat bugs.. those little pantry moths are great, maggets, anything like that, i assure you he'll eat it, it's high in protein and very healthy
If you do get him back up to scratch, dont over feed, miss a day of feeding here and there, only feed him once a day coz the main thing that will kill him is overfeeding and not regularlly changing water (1/4 every couple of weeks).
Good luck, tell me how it all goes -- you may email me any time

Answer 5

If the betta wants chicken, feed it chicken! try to change to a different diet though. Hikari makes an excellent betta pellet, bloodworms only as a treat, it will make your fish a finacy eater. Try adding some Blackwater extract to your tank. bettas love Soft acidic waters that mimic their natural habitat. i use Ketapang leave which are used world wide by beta breaders and soft-water fish breeders. you can also add some peat moss in a "tea-bag" type filter, using peat moss and an old nylon stocking. if it turns out to be a bacterial infection, ketapang is your best bet, it has anti fungal and anti bacterial properties renowed in eastern culture. look it up! its amazing, for people and fish alike!

hope this helps -

-Tom K

Answer 6

Bettas take a few days to get use to the food, just keep feeding him the same kind of fish food and in a few day you should have a strong healthy betta.