Betta with lethargy and clamped fins

Tank
What is the water volume of the tank? 6gal
How long has the tank been running? Over a year
Does it have a filter? Yes Fluval Aquaclear HOB
Does it have a heater? Yes
What is the water temperature? 77.6
What is the entire stocking of this tank? 1 male betta

Maintenance
How often do you change the water? 2x/week
How much of the water do you change? 50%
What do you use to treat your water? Prime
Do you vacuum the substrate or just the water? Both

*Parameters - Very Important
Did you cycle your tank before adding fish? Yes
What do you use to test the water? API Master test kit
What are your parameters?
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 5
pH: 8.2 (too high but stable at this level)

Feeding
How often do you feed your fish? 2x/day
How much do you feed your fish? 5-6 Hikari betta pellets and bloodworms
What brand of food do you feed your fish?Hikari
Do you feed frozen? Yes
Do you feed freeze-dried foods? No

Illness & Symptoms
How long have you had this fish? About 1 ur
How long ago did you first notice these symptoms? About 5 days ago
In a few words, can you explain the symptoms? He is lethargic, staying on bottom of tank. His fins are clamped. He reluctantly ate until today. I can’t get him to come up to the surface to eat which is very uncharacteristic. His belly is pale grey
Have you started any treatment for the illness? Aquarium salt and ParaGuard
Was your fish physically ill or injured upon purchase? No
How has its behavior and appearance changed, if at all? Yes, clamped, ragged fins. Grayish color under chin and on belly. Possible discoloration on his head.

Explain your emergency situation in detail- see above

 

Welcome to Fishlore!

Sorry that you are having some betta trouble! He's a pretty boy.

From the emergency template, it seems like you are doing everything correctly.

Did the ph change recently, or has it always been 8.2, or around there? Also, is there a way to inch up his temp just a little?

A change in ph will stress the fish and cause some of the symptoms that you are seeing.

Indian almond leaves will bring down the ph just a tad, and do it naturally. It's best to stay away from the chemicals. The IAL will also provide tannins, which will tint the water brown. Some people don't like that, but bettas love it. It helps with fish stress.

I agree with the aquarium salt. He does look like he might have a fin issue, but it's hard to tell since he is laying on the bottom of the tank.

Do you see anything on his body that would indicate an infection of some kind? Is he having trouble breathing? I do not see any evidence of it from your pics, but you know your fish better than anyone.

I hope that I can help you figure this out!!!

 

Thanks Rose! I have Indian almond leaves in the tank & the pH has remained stable. He’s not doing any better & seems worse as he’s not eating at all and not really swimming. I did a trio of meds- IchX, Maracyn & ParaCleanse yesterday. I also added an air stone for oxygenation. I’ll attach more recent pics- he’s looking awful. There are no distinct lesions, but his fins are clamped.

 

I hate when this kind of thing happens. You really can't tell what's going on because there is no real outward sign other than the signs of stress.

The air stone is a good idea.

I don't see signs of ich, or anything else that stands out on his body.

Since you are trying meds, hopefully one of them will take care of whatever is wrong.

I am sorry that I can't be of more help. Sometimes, when it gets to the point where they won't eat, and are just laying at the bottom, the outcome is not good. Just want to prepare you....

I do wish you luck. I hope he bounces back from this. He is a very pretty boy!!!

 

I hate when this kind of thing happens. You really can't tell what's going on because there is no real outward sign other than the signs of stress.

The air stone is a good idea.

I don't see signs of ich, or anything else that stands out on his body.

Since you are trying meds, hopefully one of them will take care of whatever is wrong.

I am sorry that I can't be of more help. Sometimes, when it gets to the point where they won't eat, and are just laying at the bottom, the outcome is not good. Just want to prepare you....

I do wish you luck. I hope he bounces back from this. He is a very pretty boy!!!

It’s really tough! Thanks so much for your support.

 

Maverick passed away

 

So sorry to hear...

 

So sorry to hear...

Thanks!