Betta not eating

It doesn't look like dropsy, which is good news. Let's hope he can recover.
Keeping his water clean is the best help right now.
Click to expand...
The symptoms point towards dropsy or swim bladder. Without a clearer picture we won't be able to really tell though.
 

Advertisement
I realized I never updated this thread.

So about two days after I first posted this I noticed the bloat had gone down but only on one side of his body. I checked under his fin and saw a small white spot that looked a little fuzzy, did some research, and found out he most likely had a fungal infection. This was kinda odd to me, the community tank he was in before was cycled and usually had perfect readings. I'm assuming it was stress that caused it as, unlike my other betta who's currently in there, I did catch him chasing some of the other fish from time to time.

Regardless of why he had it though I scrubbed the community tank he used to be in clean and got to work trying to fix his infection. Unfortunately, just like with dropsy, any medication that actually works for this stuff is illegal where I live so I just had to keep treating him with salt.

His infection wasn't spreading at all, it stayed in one spot, but it got worse and worse by the day. It even got to a point where I was checking for parasites just to make sure because it was like there was a hole being made in his side. About 4 days ago I went to feed him in the morning and just watched as food fell out of the hole in his side as he ate. Needless to say, he didn't make it much longer than that.

I still don't really know what happened. I've never even learned of a case like this let alone what to do about it. Right now one of my platies in the community tank is showing potential signs of cotton mouth so guess I'm doing another scrub down of that big tank and pray to god I don't ruin the biofilter in the process. I do have proper fungal medication on the way from ebay (the only place I could find it) but it won't be here till mid-November/early December. Wish me luck y'all...
 

Advertisement
I am so sorry that this happened. I do hope you get a handle on the problem so you won't have any more losses.

Poor baby!!!!
 
I imported a betta and he was very stressed so I left him alone for a few days. I’ve been trying to feed him but he won’t eat. It’s been eight days and he won’t budge.
 
Oh no. Poor baby must still be stressed. Did you use a stress coat? Maybe he just doesn’t like that food, try another maybe?
 
Oh no. Poor baby must still be stressed. Did you use a stress coat? Maybe he just doesn’t like that food, try another maybe?
Click to expand...
No actually I’ve never used stress coat before. And I’ve tried flakes, pellets and bloodworms. I was trying to feed him just now and he actually ate one blood worm.
 

Advertisement
I’m guessing he’s a new fish. When you left him alone did you leave the tank lights off? That would help him feel more comfortable. And does he have any illness symptoms that could cause why he’s not eating?
 
Try some aquarium salt. It helps them cure illness so I assume it will help ur betta cope with the stress. Also try to find the root cause of your betta being stressed, because eight days is a long time. Maybe the lighting? Not enough hiding places? Something bothering it?
 
I imported a betta and he was very stressed so I left him alone for a few days. I’ve been trying to feed him but he won’t eat. It’s been eight days and he won’t budge.
Click to expand...
Could we get an image of the tank and the betta?
 
I’m guessing he’s a new fish. When you left him alone did you leave the tank lights off? That would help him feel more comfortable. And does he have any illness symptoms that could cause why he’s not eating?
Click to expand...
He did seem like he was sick so I had done an epsom salt bath but he’s becoming more active
 
Ok so a betta I recently got wasn’t eating at all. I have offered him pellets, flakes, and freeze dried bloodworms. Today was the eighth day of him not eating but just rn HE ATE it made me so happy but he only wants the freeze dried bloodworms and won’t budge for the flakes or pellets. I don’t think only eating freeze dried bloodworms is healthy for him so I’m wondering what other foods I could buy and feed him that are good for him and have potential for him to be interested in. Also, are frozen bloodworms better to feed him than freeze dried bloodworms?


Idk if this changes anything but he is imported
 

Advertisement



I’ve had him for eight days
Click to expand...
Try soaking his pellets in tank water for a couple of minutes before feeding it to him. He could also just be getting used to his new home.

Try some aquarium salt. It helps them cure illness so I assume it will help ur betta cope with the stress. Also try to find the root cause of your betta being stressed, because eight days is a long time. Maybe the lighting? Not enough hiding places? Something bothering it?
Click to expand...
I agree with everything except the aquarium salt There's no need for it in this case. It would just cause stress. I would recommend Indian almond leaves or Seachem Stressguard instead. Especially the IAL. It would probably help his appetite as well.
 
Another thing that could temp him to eat is to take tweezers and tap them on the water surface which would simulate a struggling bug and activate his feeding reflex.
 
I also forgot to ask, what temperature is his tank water? That can be affecting his appetite as well.
 

Advertisement



I have a single me beta in a 3.5 gallon tank. He did not eat yesterday and is not eating today. He is hiding more as well. His fin did get a rip in it and then tore through - all his fins are looking more curled. His ammonia is .25 and nitrites 0. Temp is 78-80. Tried blood worms as well and ate one tiny. Any ideas as to what I can do? His fins are not black , just had that one rip and are curling at the edges. Thank you!
1606668059770.jpeg
 
I changed about 50% on Wednesday and was planning on again tomorrow
 
The very first thing I reach for if I see something off is my water changing equipment. Be sure to temp match and add your water conditioner to the fresh water before pouring it in there. Change out no less than half the water.

I changed about 50% on Wednesday and was planning on again tomorrow
Click to expand...
I wouldn't wait. I would do one now.
 
There was a lot of improvement and just in the last few days he’s been off

The very first thing I reach for if I see something off is my water changing equipment. Be sure to temp match and add your water conditioner to the fresh water before pouring it in there. Change out no less than half the water.
Click to expand...
I do temp match and use prime for the water changes. Is tomorrow ok as I am not home today to do it and someone feeding him sent me that pic. I do rinse the water changing equipment before I changed the water out and last Wednesday I rinsed some of his decorations in the old tank water. I do have a Java fern on driftwood in there (been in there for a few weeks) that seemed to really help with the water parameters - but not sure if that is something that is affecting in a bad way now?
 
Check for any signs of bloat. If he's even a little bloated, don't offer him food for at least 3 days. If he doesn't pass anything, then try a fragment of pea. A pea is hard for bettas to eat because they sink, and bettas have upturned mouths, but it's still a decent remedy.

Also, any injury can lead to something more serious. Check for pineconing. I have had bettas that mildly pinecone whenever they started to get sick, even though it wasn't related to dropsy.

I agree about the water temp, as well. Bettas are very sensitive to tempature. Even the hardiest ones have their limits. In fact, most bettas, I have found, are not as hardy as they are advertised. Good luck!
 
There was a lot of improvement and just in the last few days he’s been off

I do temp match and use prime for the water changes. Is tomorrow ok as I am not home today to do it and someone feeding him sent me that pic. I do rinse the water changing equipment before I changed the water out and last Wednesday I rinsed some of his decorations in the old tank water. I do have a Java fern on driftwood in there (been in there for a few weeks) that seemed to really help with the water parameters - but not sure if that is something that is affecting in a bad way now?
Click to expand...

I guess it is going to have to wait.

How are the plants and driftwood helping with the parameters? Plants should help a bit with the nitrates but nothing works as well at keeping our water pets healthy as fresh clean water. I can't see the plant or the driftwood being detrimental to the tank. With a tank this small things can go bad quickly. Weekly water changes are critical to keeping our water pets safe. Even more so in a tank this size.
 

Advertisement



I guess it is going to have to wait.

How are the plants and driftwood helping with the parameters? Plants should help a bit with the nitrates but nothing works as well at keeping our water pets healthy as fresh clean water. I can't see the plant or the driftwood being detrimental to the tank. With a tank this small things can go bad quickly. Weekly water changes are critical to keeping our water pets safe. Even more so in a tank this size.
Click to expand...
I did change the water last Monday and again Wednesday since I was going to be out of town. I usually change to weekly and was doing it 3x per week for awhile. (50%)
He doesn’t t appear to have bloat or pineconing and the water temp is 80.2
 
It sounds like you are doing a good job of keeping his water clean. I hope others will know if it is time to be overly concerned. Hopefully he will get his appetite back soon.
 
It sounds like you are doing a good job of keeping his water clean. I hope others will know if it is time to be overly concerned. Hopefully he will get his appetite back soon.
Click to expand...
Thank you. Any idea how I would know if it is old age? I’m not sure how old he is as I found him
 
Thank you. Any idea how I would know if it is old age? I’m not sure how old he is as I found him
Click to expand...
That one is impossible to answer. Unless someone gets one from a breeder that can tell them when they were born/hatched out there is no way of knowing. How long have you had him? If a couple of years it is possible he could be fairly old. Found him??
 
That one is impossible to answer. Unless someone gets one from a breeder that can tell them when they were born/hatched out there is no way of knowing. How long have you had him? If a couple of years it is possible he could be fairly old. Found him??
Click to expand...
HI. I changed 50% of his water today and added prime to the water before the change. He is still not eating so far. the temp is still 78-80. Any other ideas as to what I might try? I do have some API stress coat that I have never tried - would you recommend trying the stress coat?
 
HI. I changed 50% of his water today and added prime to the water before the change. He is still not eating so far. the temp is still 78-80. Any other ideas as to what I might try? I do have some API stress coat that I have never tried - would you recommend trying the stress coat?
Click to expand...
How do you feed him? Do you just drop the pellets in the water? Or do you do something else? Did you try gentle tapping the water, to sort of mimic a bug?
Do you temperature match the new water with tank water? Lastly, what are your water parameters today?
 
HI. I changed 50% of his water today and added prime to the water before the change. He is still not eating so far. the temp is still 78-80. Any other ideas as to what I might try? I do have some API stress coat that I have never tried - would you recommend trying the stress coat?
Click to expand...
Some folks swear by stress coat. I've never used it so don't know it it will help or not. It shouldn't hurt to add it though. Others use Indian almond leaves. I've not used them either so can't say how much they help. Keeping his water as clean as you can may be the only thing you can do for him at this point to keep him as comfortable as possible.

Others have suggested soaking the food in garlic juice. Apparently fish like the smell or taste of it and often it tempts a fish to eat. Again, it is something I've never done so am just passing on suggestions on things others have has success with.
 
I haven't had the opportunity to try any of this mentioned above, but over the years i have seen that people reported various amounts of success. Garlic Guard from Seachem is one mentioned often to try getting bettas and other fish to eat. Might be something to keep in mind.
 

Advertisement



How do you feed him? Do you just drop the pellets in the water? Or do you do something else? Did you try gentle tapping the water, to sort of mimic a bug?
Do you temperature match the new water with tank water? Lastly, what are your water parameters today?
Click to expand...

I usually drop in one at a time but can try the bug method. Thanks!
I do temperature match the new water before adding it.
My parameters today are: Ammonia - 0-0.25, Nitrites 0, Nitrates 5, Ph 7.4-7.6, temp 79

Thank you for the suggestions. I will try the stress coat since I have it on hand and look into the garlic option.
Should I change the water daily or every other day? and stay with 50%?
Some folks swear by stress coat. I've never used it so don't know it it will help or not. It shouldn't hurt to add it though. Others use Indian almond leaves. I've not used them either so can't say how much they help. Keeping his water as clean as you can may be the only thing you can do for him at this point to keep him as comfortable as possible.

Others have suggested soaking the food in garlic juice. Apparently fish like the smell or taste of it and often it tempts a fish to eat. Again, it is something I've never done so am just passing on suggestions on things others have has success with.
[/QUOTE
Click to expand...

1606764015952.jpeg
Could it be gill disease? I have some Furan-2 on hand that I can try but not sure if it’s needed. I did add the stress coat just now
 
With the looks of the fins you may want to do the big water changes daily until he shows some signs of improvement. If you have a chance you may try some frozen yummy food like bloodworm to entice him as well.
 
Thank you. I do have blood worms and have tried those as well.
I will change the water daily -50% or should I do less?
 
50% would be good at this time. See how it will go. Specifically with that small water volume that should not be an issue.
Any other juicy goodies in the freezer? Daphnia or brine shrimp?
 
I usually drop in one at a time but can try the bug method. Thanks!
I do temperature match the new water before adding it.
My parameters today are: Ammonia - 0-0.25, Nitrites 0, Nitrates 5, Ph 7.4-7.6, temp 79

Thank you for the suggestions. I will try the stress coat since I have it on hand and look into the garlic option.
Should I change the water daily or every other day? and stay with 50%?
Click to expand...
I actually think every other day will be alright. 50% every other day should be fine. By doing them every other day you will be giving your little guy 48 hours of calm time. If he isn't feeling well calm time should help him relax.
 
UPDATE: He had about 3 bloodworms yesterday and one today. Still not interested at all and doesn't even attempt to eat the pellets or more blood worms. He is doing a lot of hiding out in the floating log and on his hammock. Should still wait until tomorrow to change his water again? I did turn out his tank light (its usually on from 0630-1930) and just have the overhead light on to give him a little down time. Not sure what else I can do for the poor little guy.
 
UPDATE: He had about 3 bloodworms yesterday and one today. Still not interested at all and doesn't even attempt to eat the pellets or more blood worms. He is doing a lot of hiding out in the floating log and on his hammock. Should still wait until tomorrow to change his water again? I did turn out his tank light (its usually on from 0630-1930) and just have the overhead light on to give him a little down time. Not sure what else I can do for the poor little guy.
Click to expand...
It is good that he finally ate a little bit. Turning the light off is a good idea. I would wait until tomorrow. Since he really isn't eating he probably isn't producing much waste. Have you by any chance seen him poop?
 
It is good that he finally ate a little bit. Turning the light off is a good idea. I would wait until tomorrow. Since he really isn't eating he probably isn't producing much waste. Have you by any chance seen him poop?
Click to expand...
I actually did see him poop this morning.
Should I leave his tank light off all day? The overhead light will be off for most of the day after 3pm.
One more question - I have FURAN-2 on hand (someone gave it to me) and I was wondering if I should try that? Not sure if there is any infection going on though but I can't figure out what is going on.
 
I actually did see him poop this morning.
Should I leave his tank light off all day? The overhead light will be off for most of the day after 3pm.
One more question - I have FURAN-2 on hand (someone gave it to me) and I was wondering if I should try that? Not sure if there is any infection going on though but I can't figure out what is going on.
Click to expand...
It is good he is pooping. At least we can rule out constipation.

I would leave the light off. Usually lights are more for us than it is for them. Unless it is pitch dark in the room he's in he will be fine with the tank light turned off.

I wouldn't use any kind of medication without knowing what's going on with him. Sometimes adding medication can cause more harm than good. Hopefully quiet time today will allow him to rest. If he is just getting old, slowing down and less of an appetite is to be expected. Since he ate one day and didn't want food the next day feeding him every other day may be best. you can offer daily but if he doesn't take the food, try not to force it.
 

Random Great Topic!

First Impressions Of Julidochromis Marlieri
First Impressions Of Julidochromis Marlieri

Today's Deals


Amazon Daily Aquatic Deals

Amazon Aquatic Coupons


Advertisement



Advertisement









Advertisement




Fish Lore's aquarium fish forum - aquarium hobbyists helping hobbyists since 2005!

Fish Lore is an amazon affiliate and some pages may contain links to aquarium related products on amazon: Affiliate Disclosure

Aquarium forum statistics

Threads
427,385
Messages
4,714,430
Members
127,552
Back
Top Bottom