tyguitar

My betta seems very lethargic nowadays. He will only go up for food but then go back down and just stay there. Unfortunately, I don't have an ammonia test right now but all other parameters are fine with nitrate and nitrite at zero. I perform weekly water changes and don't overfeed. What could be wrong!

Amanda

Your nitrate is at 0 also?

Lucy

I'm sorry your betta isn't feeling well.
What size tank is he in? Any tank mates? Is he pooing?
What's the temp? How old is he?
It would be helpful to know your ammonia reading.

Sorry for all the questions, the answers might help the members figure out what's going on.

tyguitar

Nitrate is also at zero. He is in a 20 gallon cycled tank for about a year. There is only two platy fry with him. temp is 78F. It has almost been a year since we got him. I'll try to get ammonia level once i get some new tests. I notice him having slow breathing when he is at the bottom of the tank, but he perks ups when i come near the tank and races towards me.

aquarist48

Good morning. Hate your fish isn't feeling well. Odd that you have no nitrAtes. I would do some 50% water changes over the next few days until you get an ammonia test. Sounds like your cycle may have crashed. Nitrates should be at least 5-10. Add some Prime or Nova Aqua (or whatever you have on hand for stress symptoms) for stress with each water change. I hope he gets better soon!

tyguitar

I'll keep an eye out for him. Hopefully I can get the tests soon. It has almost been a full year with us and will be on the 31st. I love the little guy so I'll do my best. It may also be the he is uncomfortable with the current of the filter so I'll bring the flow of it down. Could water hardness have any effect at all, I know it may not be a huge thing, but living in South Cal. we have water hardness well over 200.

Lucy

Sounds like you've taken good care of him for a long time. Slowing the flow might help him if he's not feeling well.

If he's been used to the hardness of the water, it shouldn't matter now.

When you're out to get an ammonia test (liquid kits are more accurate) pick up some Vita-chem and Garlic Guard.

I hope he perks up for you soon.

tyguitar

Yeah I have tried my best for the little guy. He was a birthday present for my sister, but guess who really took responsibility. Yeah I'll pick some stuff up when I am able to.

agabr123

poor little guy what are you feeding him? is it a 20 long or a 20 tall? are there soft plants near the top of the tank that he can rest on?

tyguitar

I am getting a little more concerned now because he isn't as energetic as he used to be I have stopped feeding him to see if he would feel better,but no luck. He is in a 20 gal tall and I have slowed down the flow. I see that water changes stress him out because he breathes very fast so I think I will do minor changes. He is lying on his side though which is very concerning. Ammonia is at 0. Please help!

Lucy

I'm sorry he's not doing well

Do you have something smaller (still heated) so he won't have to go so far to get to the top for air?

If you've had him a year, sometimes by the time we get them from the store, they're already be close to a year old.

tyguitar

I think he's losing the battle... He's still alive but wont move at all. I don't have anything that is still heated. I won't give up though.

Lucy

Maybe a breeder box or something that can float in the tank?

tyguitar

The breeder boxes I have are occupied by platy fry. If I put the fry together they will fight. That's why they each have an individual one. Can I use maybe tupperware that I have used specifically only for them?

Lucy

That would work.
Good luck, sorry I couldn't be of more help. keep us posted.

tyguitar

I put him in there. The poor little guy looks pretty bad after all he has been through. He is just laying on his side and is breathing heavily. I just don't think he has the energy in him. He is a trooper. I hope he can at least make it to his birthday on Monday.

tyguitar

I looked at him closer and it seems he has a cut on his face. What should I do?

Lucy

Pristine water, Stress Coat, Vita-chem and garlic guard to build his immune sytem might help.
Is it possible the cut has been there and you haven't noticed?

tyguitar

I think that it is very possible. None of the Petcos or Petsmarts I live by have Vita-Chem or garlic guard(I have checked). I guess I'll have to settle for stress coat.

Lucy

If you have minced garlic in a jar, you can use a drop of the juice it comes in.

tyguitar

Lion looks utterly horrible today. I don't think he can go on much farther. He is breathing extremely heavily and won't move at all. I am really worried now

tyguitar

My betta has been utterly sick for the past days. (http://www.fishlore.com/fishforum/fr...ick-betta.html) I did notice that he cannot swim upright, rather he swims to his side. He is also breathing heavily. I was hoping to get more attention by posting another thread. Despite looking bad he still has his colors, but I see that(as I have said before) he can't get up, he breathes really heavily, and it is looking grim, I think I might lose him although he has overcome much.

Lucy

I've merged the 2 threads.
It's less confusing for the members to have all the info in one thread and easier for you to keep track of the responses.

Is he eating? Pooing?
What have you tried to feed him? Is he bloated?

tyguitar

He isn't eating or pooing. He doesn't have the ability to get up and eat. He isn't bloated either.

Lucy

Have you tried different foods?
With him not swimming correctly, you might see if he'll eat a tiny bit of thawed frozen shelled pea.
Can you post a pic of him?
It's hard to determine what's wrong, not eating etc can be a symptom of many things.
I'd lean towards old age or possible parasites.

Let's see what other have to say, they may have more ideas.

catfishlover123

Are there any rocks in the tank? Maybe he scratched his face that way. Hope he pulls through!

Lucy

If you can get a pic of the scratch on Lion's face, that might help. Does it look infected?

catfishlover123

Yeah, a pic would really help.

tyguitar

Here's my poor boy.

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Beth1965

Im sorry I don't have anything to add here to help you out but I'm sorry your betta is so sick.
Beth