I don't think my Betta is going to make it....SOS!

My sweet boy has never been social. He has a tank full of plants and a large floating log and cave and has always preferred being in one of those or hidden in the bank of the tank in the plants. I change my water every week, and because I've had so much heartache with Betta's, took the extra step of using General Cure with each water change. I noticed his little face at the bottom of the tank more often. Then he began floating in an arch inside his log. Then he came out and I couldn't believe his beautiful fins..at least, what I could see of them! They were a mess! I'm sure he tore them initially on his cave somehow because he spooks easy. I began dosing with Melafix. I've also used Kanoplex (is that the name?). I FINALLY got a look at him today and...I don't know if it's time to euthanize or if he can come back from this? His color is fading on his body and then I saw on his body where there were once fins. I did another water change this morning and added Kanoplex again. The tank is 10 gallons and less than 1/2 way full so he can get to the surface easier. Thoughts? Thank you.

I remove as many snails as I'm able and move them to a snail tank. Once one sneaks in, it's game over! UGH!

 

Hi!

Sorry about your little boy!

From what I can see in the pic, that looks like fungus/body rot.

Since it is so far along, I think that the kanalplex (kanamycin) is a good idea. I think at this stage, you might want to use another antibiotic along with it, like maybe Maracyn (erythromycin) if you can get it.

I think that I might put him into a hosptial tank, if that will help you to keep an eye on him, and see him clearly. You can use alomost anything. I use a big glass cookie jar, and I add a heater to make sure the betta is warm. Since I do frequent water changes, I don't use a filter, but an air stone might help, if you have one. If not, that's ok.

Do frequent water changes. He needs his water to be pristine.

You can also add some Indian almond leaves to help with his stress.

Please stop using the melafix and the general cure. The general cure is only good for parasites. The melafix can end up doing some harm to your betta in that it affects the labyrnith organ, that which the betta uses to breathe.

If he is still eating, and moving around, and not completely lethargic and laying at the bottom, then he still has some fight left. I always try to give the fish a fighting chance if they are still trying, but that is just my way of thinking.

If he gets to a point where he simply can't breathe, then it is probably time to euthanize.

Of course, the decision is yours. If you feel that he is too far along to treat, then do what you feel is best.

I wish you luck!

 

When you say he has never been social... does he have tankmates?

 

Hi!

Sorry about your little boy!

From what I can see in the pic, that looks like fungus/body rot.

Since it is so far along, I think that the kanalplex (kanamycin) is a good idea. I think at this stage, you might want to use another antibiotic along with it, like maybe Maracyn (erythromycin) if you can get it.

I think that I might put him into a hosptial tank, if that will help you to keep an eye on him, and see him clearly. You can use alomost anything. I use a big glass cookie jar, and I add a heater to make sure the betta is warm. Since I do frequent water changes, I don't use a filter, but an air stone might help, if you have one. If not, that's ok.

Do frequent water changes. He needs his water to be pristine.

You can also add some Indian almond leaves to help with his stress.

Please stop using the melafix and the general cure. The general cure is only good for parasites. The melafix can end up doing some harm to your betta in that it affects the labyrnith organ, that which the betta uses to breathe.

If he is still eating, and moving around, and not completely lethargic and laying at the bottom, then he still has some fight left. I always try to give the fish a fighting chance if they are still trying, but that is just my way of thinking.

If he gets to a point where he simply can't breathe, then it is probably time to euthanize.

Of course, the decision is yours. If you feel that he is too far along to treat, then do what you feel is best.

I wish you luck!

Thank you so much for your time and words of wisdom. I'm going to run to get him the meds and I have a lovely trifle dish that will work as a hospital tank!
I have the indian almond leaves..do you remember how to prepare them? Ugh...
I added the erythromycin to his tank and an almond leaf. I've set up a hospital tank but I want to make sure the little heater works and that the water is to temp before I attempt to move him. In the hospital tank, I've added Kanoplex, erythromycin and the almond leaf. Sending him lots of prayers!!! I hope he recovers!!!

 

I will begin by saying that with the wonderful advice from a member, I moved Kazumi to a hospital tank this morning (also known as a Trifle bowl). It is heated and I added an Indian Almond Leaf, Kanaplex and Erythromycin as advised yesterday. Prior to moving him, I noticed that he stayed next to his heater at the surface since the night before. This small dish stays on the warmer side at around 78-80.

Last night he surprised me and ate a pellet for the first time in at least a week. He was staying at the bottom of the tank for the most part and occasionally spending time in his log. But yesterday and today, he is staying at the top. Especially since moving him to the hospital tank. I added a little log for him to hide in if he wanted it and a plant to rest on and his 'hammock', but he's preferring the surface.

He is NOT swollen or pineconing. As for his 'rot' issue. I change his water every week to week and a half. I was always adding either Prime or Stress Coat to neutralize the water. He lived in a 10 gallon tank loaded with plants, cave and large floating log. He had such beautiful long fins and because he was always in his log or in his cave, or the back of the tank, I didn't realize what was happening. ALL my other Bettas were 'social' and would come to the front of the tank when I came in the room and stay at the front and dance and show off for me. Not this guy He preferred his solitude. One of my Betta's even chased a sharpie as I drew on his tank and would center himself in a heart I drew! But Zumi has always been very shy and it wasn't until his behavior changed, that I saw what was happening. Of course I blame myself, so please don't chastise me.

Am I doing everything I can? What can I do to help him other than what I'm doing now? Or is it now just a matter of time. I attached a photo from yesterday and his color is already better. Is that possible?

Also, Erythromycin comes in a 1/2 tsp packet that you put into a 10 gallon tank. I added a bit less than 1/8 tsp (it's the smallest measuring spoon I have). Kanoplex is 1 level measure with the included spoon, to every 5 gallons and I aim for a less than 1/4 of the included spoon. He's in a Trifle Dish that's under a gallon. Any advice?

I hope I added good enough photos for your assistance.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for your help with my little guy.

PS: As I was about to hit POST I saw that he was next to the heater and upright near the surface. He saw me move and swam over to my side of the dish and is sitting normally (see photo). Annnnnnnd...just floated on to his side

 

It seems like he does have some life in him yet!

It sounds like you are doing everything that you can. The fact that he actually ate something is good. He needs to boost his immune system, and that won't happen if he isn't eating. That temp is fine, too. I keep my tanks at 80 degrees.

That dish seems perfect for treatment, too.

Not sure why he is floating that way, though. You are correct, he isn't bloated.

He could be floating that way if the infection has reached his swim bladder (or maybe other internal organ or spine). They don't have to be bloated to have an infection in the swim bladder. Hopefully the combination of meds will help.

For the Indian almond leaves, I usually just rinse them off and add them, and the heat form the heater will help the tannins to be released from the leaves.

Some people will boil them, and then cool the water down, and add it to the tank after it cools. It all depends on whether you want the leaves in or out.

Bettas like the actual leaves, so I recommend puting the leaves in.

It is tricky when trying to use the correct dosage of meds based on the volumn of water in a QT setting if you aren't using a real tank. The key is to measure the amount of water that the dish holds, and figure out how much of the med is needed based on your volumn of water.

Sometimes, I just eyeball it, but if you are worried, you could use the calculator here on the web site to help you figure out the dosage. You could figure based on 3/4th's of a gallon of water, or so.

If you overdose by a lot, that could cause some issues to his kidneys, so in case of a question, under dose instead of over dose. Antibiotics usually are the last ditch effort to try to save a fish. Many fish keepers don't use them, and will euthanize instead. But there are some things that water changes and aquarium salt just can't fix. I just can't see not trying to save a fish if I can get the meds and maybe save a life. Hopefully, you feel the same way!

Here's hoping that Kazumi bounces back, and I hope this helps!

 

Thank you so much for your advice and kindness. I've been going out of my mind trying to figure out what to do next. I even ordered a 1 gallon 'hospital' tank from PetSmart that was just delivered, but it's tall and has odd dimensions, so I'm going to keep him where he is for now. He appears to be doing well in his Trifle Dish! I will use the calculator as suggested. I really appreciate your help more than you know!

 

Thank you so much for your advice and kindness. I've been going out of my mind trying to figure out what to do next. I even ordered a 1 gallon 'hospital' tank from PetSmart that was just delivered, but it's tall and has odd dimensions, so I'm going to keep him where he is for now. He appears to be doing well in his Trifle Dish! I will use the calculator as suggested. I really appreciate your help more than you know!

You are very welcome! I was once where you are now, and if not for some very encouraging words, I would have given up the hobby all together! Bettas are just like that. They have such huge personalities, and before you know it, you are in love!

 

You are very welcome! I was once where you are now, and if not for some very encouraging words, I would have given up the hobby all together! Bettas are just like that. They have such huge personalities, and before you know it, you are in love!

I have good news to report! Zumi has been eating for the last 3 days! It also looks like he is having regrowth near his body. Perhaps that's just wishful thinking? I can clearly see that he's improving and not getting worse. His color definitely looks better and he's also spending more time 'upright'.
Since he's a bachelor, I drained his tank and rinsed out EVERYTHING. I used a mesh sieve to clean the rocks in small amounts. I put all the plants in a container with light but I'm seriously considering putting the tank back together with fake plants, now that I have it snail free (don't worry about the snails. I had so many at one point that I gave them their very own tank!). Those little guys are such rapid reproducers that I know that even if I think I got them all off the plants, that there were babies I didn't see and the cycle begins again.
I really can't thank you enough for your advice. I was prepared to euthanize him to free him of his pain and I'm so happy I didn't!!! ♥️

 

It is with a heavy heart that I report that Kazumi crossed over Rainbow Ridge this morning between 3-8am. Yesterday was my birthday and I tell myself that he held on so I wouldn't have to bury him on my birthday. He now rests next to a beautiful pink tea rose in my garden.

While Rose of Sharon was the only person in this huge community to offer help (thank you a million times over), I have received help in the past with other Bettas and I'm grateful for it. This will be my last post here because, while beautiful, Betta's are heartbreakers.

 

Very sorry for your loss.

 

So, so sorry!!!!!

Please don't give up on them. I am sure that if you could get a betta from an actual breeder, he/she will be much better health and be better genetically, and you will have better success!!!!!

But if you give up on them, I understand. It is heart-breaking when they die...

But, happy belated birthday!