mare2009

Im afraid to say that Sully may be too ill for help. I noticed about 5 days ago he stopped eating, then he seemed like he didn't swim right and that progressed into a horizontal frantic swim to stay upright. He started this and went from 'ok' to floating on his side until he was able to upright himself.
He would maintain this for hours and be 'ok'. I did wc, put him in a hospital tank until he seemed better, and back into his tank. For 2 days I have helped him get upright, tried peas, daphnia and mini bloodworm. Of course in his condition he won't eat a thing.
I don't know if there is a last chance medication to try or even what it is to treat. He doesn't have any gill or fin damage, he is not bloated, his water parameters are fine, but he is deathly ill.
Im fighting with myself to let him 'go' in his own tank, with the less amount of stress possible, or put him in a small amount of water and 'wait and see'. It doesn't make sense whats happening to him..thanks..

Martinismommy

Mary

I'm so sorry your little man is not feeling well.....If it were me, I'd leave him right where he is and keep him as comfortable as possible...

mare2009

...thank you karen, that eases my decision..

Lucy

Oh Mare, I'm so sorry Sullt isn't feeling well
I'd go with Karen's advice, without distinct symptoms treating with the wrong meds could do more harm than good.

Sending our best betta wishes your way.

agabr123

i'm so sorry to hear that it sounds like you're doing the best thing for him. i agree that not moving him will be less stressful on him. good luck with your little guy

Amanda

Oh no!! I'm so sorry Sully isn't doing well....

pinkfloydpuffer

Oh no I'm so sorry, that's always so tough to deal with. I hope he makes it, but if not, you can take comfort in that you did what you could for him. Good luck

mare2009

...does anyone know where I can look for a reputable disease information site for bettas? Sully is now 7 days without food, still 'belly sliding' but not sinking. Im thinking it was constipation, possible other reasons now. No poop at all still. And theres no way to 'make a betta eat'. Hes still very clear eyed and seems like hes aware, but still can't stay upright. Any help will be appreciated, thanks

Lucy

I'm sorry Sully isn't feeling better. I wish I had a site to refer you to.
The way he's acting can be symptoms of several different things.
When Prissy got sick, I did a lot of research and basically all I got out of it was she was sick.....like I didn't already know something was wrong lol.

One more suggestion, have you tried soaking his food in garlic juice? Sometimes that'll stimulated their appetite.

ara

I am so sorry to hear about your guy. I don't think Sully is constipated. He doesn't poop because he hasn't been eaten lately. Ultimatebettas is a good website with a lot of knowledgeable members.

mare2009

..thanks Lucy, I will try it ( the garlic juice ). Its so darn hard to figure it out. I would have thought he'd pass on before now if it was a parasite or bacterial infection, wouldn't he? I have been reading for days now on all kind of sites and can't find anything, is there no fish doctors anywhere ?
I did give in and tried the epson salt, 1 tbsp to his tank ( well just under a tablespoon), its widely recommended though I had reservations, I needed to do it and not wonder later if only I "did this or that". As far as it went, there was no change.

mare2009

...thank you ara, thats site I haven't been too..going to check it out.

capekate

I have checked in with Mare and Sully today and found that Sully is still pretty much hanging out on his broad leaf and would list to his side on the leaf. Mare has tried to feed him daphnia and pieces of pea in the chance that it is constipation issues. But he has no interest in food. I have read on other sites that when a fish is constipated they do not eat. Must be an instinct thing with them. Whether Sully is constipated or not, I know that he has no bulge in his tummy. So not sure if trying to get him to eat at this point would do anything. I remember Glory not eating for a week before I lost him when he was sick.
Sully's body is in great shape, no paleness, no cloudy eyes, fins are great so its so hard to see him act this way and not know what is wrong with him.
Is it possible that he can have a parasite? Would trying some jungle lab parasite cure help?Its so hard to advise on meds when we dont know what is wrong with them...

Lucy

Hi Kate, with him lying around I'd probablt lean towards parasites also, like you said, you know there's something wrong....but what?
They say the medicated food is better than meds you add to the water. But Sully isn't eating. If he'll accept something soaked in garlic juice, perhaps he'll eat the medicated if it were soaked.
Maybe give the epsom salt a chance to work, see if he passes anything. I've used it and it took a few hours before I saw anything.

ara

I agree with capekate. Try Parasite clear. It is pretty mild medication and will not harm your boy.

mare2009

... thank you ara, lucy kate..Im going to get the parasite clear now... Will having the epsom salt in the tank since 6pm ( 3 hrs) affect the medication?

Lucy

I'm not sure, but I would do a water change and filter it out with some carbon for a couple of hours.

mare2009

keeping my prayers on Sully..I put half a dissolved tablet of Jungle Parasite Clear in his tank water, he is resting at his plant leaf..thank you all for your advice and well wishes..will keep his care posted...

capekate

Best of luck Mare, I really hope the parasite Clear helps Sully.Keep us posted.

MissMTS

Oh Mare, I am so sorry about Sully Poor boy. Could it be an issue with his swim bladder? I know that really wouldn't affect his eating, but it would affect his ablilty to keep himself upright.... I'm just trying to think of anything else that it might be. I'll keep you both in my thoughts and prayers

Phinny12

Oh no..Poor Sully. Please let us know how he is doing.

mare2009

...Sully is still with us..he is listing to his side, and the plants keep him upright. His water was dosed with Jungle Parasite Clear late last night. He is still very aware when I come and sit near his tank with him.
This morning he did swim around his tank assisted by my finger gently keeping him upright. There was no lightness in his scales or under his gills like bettas do when they are stressed. ( and as he did before). I think hes feeling more comfortable with me assisting him, he had no stress at all. I dropped some spriulina brine shrimp near his mouth and its very possible he ate some. Which would be wonderful since it is now day 8.
Hes a fighter plakat and Im hoping for the best for him..thanks all, for your support through this time.

Lucy

I hope he ate some too.
You know our best wishes and prayers and pulling for Sully.

mare2009

Just an update for those checking out my, Sully, thread. He has eaten again, once. A bit of brine shrimp, tried the spirulina shrimp that was a no go.
He is still alert and scampers around his tank when he has had enough of me.. He has his leaves to float on. No change on his 'balance' tho he seems like he's getting stronger in a way.
So for now he is treated as my handicapped fish, and doing well..with constant supervision .thanks for the prayers and well wishes everyone

MissMTS

I'm glad he's eating again Mare I hope that he stays with you and that his condition continues to improve.

Lucy

Thanks for the update Mare. I'm glad he ate a little and is active. That's a good sign.

mare2009

...thanks so much lucy, kate, kate (ca)..it means a lot to have support during this time ..and everyones else's thoughts

capekate

... I know that it doesnt seem like much right now, but after what I think has been 12-13 days that Sully hasnt eaten anything,then to see him eat at least two brine shrimp in as many days is something hopeful to hold on to Mare. Sully sure is a fighter with the personality that is needed to fight whatever he is going through and with your loving care, he has a fighting chance. 's to you both!

pamd

Mare, I'm so sorry for what you and Sully are going through. As suggested by MissMTS, it's possible he has swim bladder disorder. If that's it, you have additional cause for hope since he ate a tiny bit, seems alert, and isn't showing the dreaded final signs of dropsy.

You've probably already seen this page:

http://www.bettatalk.com/betta_diseases.htm

You really do have cause for hope and I hope he's still with us.

Thinking of you and Sully with lots of

Phinny12

Eating is a good sign I will continue to keep Sully in my prayers for his continued improvement.. Thank You for the update..Hang in there Mare & Sully