I am so defeated... Betta is Ill

[andrew27]

I have a 20 gallon fish tank. It is a betta community tank with 8 CPD, 5 corys, 5 ottos, and 1 male betta. This is the first tank I have ever had that I put in real work when it comes to research, plants, chemicals, ect ect. I noticed this morning my betta acting odd. I looked and his belly is bigger than normal and he has one small white spot on each eye. He seems lethargic. However he has no issue swimming and will be active for a few minutes at a time.

Ammonia, Nitrite are at 0.
Nitrate is PH is 8.2 but has been stable at that level for over 5 months.

When I noticed this, I immediately did a water change of 50% . I also added MelaFix to try and correct his white spots on the eyes. I do water changes once a week.

I am just at a loss. I have killed bettas in the past because I never did any work and was stupid and this time was different. I have put so much work into this tank. I have battled algae the last 2 months with no end in sight. And now I'm scared my betta has dropsy which will almost always kill him. I am just defeated. I don't know what is happening. I feel like I just want to quit and find a hobby that doesn't result in animal abuse.

 

[christiangrenier]

How long ago did you get him? Hat were the other test results? Also, I have tried MelaFix with my betta. End medicating him with it because it had killed our betta instantly. MelaFix is a hit or miss medication with fish, which usually kills them. How long has he had these spots?

 

[andrew27]

How long ago did you get him? Hat were the other test results? Also, I have tried MelaFix with my betta. End medicating him with it because it had killed our betta instantly. MelaFix is a hit or miss medication with fish, which usually kills them. How long has he had these spots?

I have had him for 5 months. Also, what other test results do you mean? I have used melafix in the past when he injured 1 eye after bumping into something and it worked very well. He fully healed in under a week. He did not have these spots yesterday. I first noticed it this morning.

 

[andrew27]

How long ago did you get him? Hat were the other test results? Also, I have tried MelaFix with my betta. End medicating him with it because it had killed our betta instantly. MelaFix is a hit or miss medication with fish, which usually kills them. How long has he had these spots?

Nitrate is less than 5

 

[lilirose]

Your Betta is just a little bloated but it's not dropsy yet. Usually the reason for this is overfeeding and the solution is a 48 hour fast followed by feeding less in future.

 

[Debbie1986]

I'm hoping all goes well, but please understand the Koi style bettas do have wonky genetics going on. I had 1 that literally ate herself to death ( my mistake, food fell in, I thought I had removed enough. But I should have removed all the fish from that tank until I got home from work. )

My 2nd orange/red marbled Koi is blind and barely swims. I'm playing wait & see for now, but there's no real quality of life at the moment. She only swims short distances. Ophelia took a nose dive I'd say in Sept. & markedly got worse last 2 weeks which is why she is isolated for observation & feedings. her 1 eye is blue opaque - not sure if scale or just blind int hat eye.

My 3rd Koi - is perfect- blue and white with very little red. She's my benchmark & why I know fish #2 isn't thriving.

isolate
monitor
treat - as best you can

Good luck!