Is this Betta Dying of Old age?

Hi everyone, my friend’s betta had really gone downhill in the past 24hrs. He’s an older betta as he is about 3-4 years old, he's never really been sick and was known to always be active hence his name ‘jet’. For a few months know he has been sleeping more as an older betta does, but in the past 24hrs he has been staying at the bottom with labored breathing and wont come up to eat (this is really unusual as he is VERY food motivated). They've done a water change to keep him comfortable but, my friend would like to do a 1 min salt water dip to get his energy up, I’m not sure if this would stress him out further? Is there anything we can do to make it easier for him? Or would euthanasia be the best option?
Thanks


Tank
What is the water volume of the tank? 10 gallons
How long has the tank been running? 4 years
Does it have a filter? Yes
Does it have a heater? Yes
What is the water temperature? 27C
What is the entire stocking of this tank? (Please list all fish and inverts.) only the betta and some java fern

Maintenance
How often do you change the water? Every two weeks
How much of the water do you change? 50%
What do you use to treat your water? Prime and Stability
Do you vacuum the substrate or just the water? Vacuum the substrate

*Parameters - Very Important
Did you cycle your tank before adding fish? Yes
What do you use to test the water? API test kit
What are your parameters? We need to know the exact numbers, not just “fine” or “safe”.
Ammonia:
Nitrite:
Nitrate:
pH:
My friend doesnt have a test kit atm, we have been using mine
Feeding
How often do you feed your fish? Everyday
How much do you feed your fish? 3-6 hikari pellets
What brand of food do you feed your fish? Hikari betta pellets
Do you feed frozen? No
Do you feed freeze-dried foods? Yes blood worms

Illness & Symptoms
How long have you had this fish? 3-4 years
How long ago did you first notice these symptoms? In the past 24hours
In a few words, can you explain the symptoms? Lethargic, gasping, labored breathing
Have you started any treatment for the illness? No
Was your fish physically ill or injured upon purchase? No
How has its behavior and appearance changed, if at all? He won’t come up for food anymore.

Include pictures
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Hi,

So sorry about your friend's betta!! He is definitely a senior citizen where bettas are concerned. Once a betta gets to the point where it stops eating, stops moving, and can't breathe, then, in my opinion and experience, it is time to euthanize rather than let the betta suffer.

But it is your friend's choice, albeit a difficult one, and I understand wanting to try treatment. It is true that aquarium salt helps with breathing issues, but I think that you will find that it may be stressful to the fish. But euthanizing will be stressful to your friend...

So sorry!!!

 

Hi,

So sorry about your friend's betta!! He is definitely a senior citizen where bettas are concerned. Once a betta gets to the point where it stops eating, stops moving, and can't breathe, then, in my opinion and experience, it is time to euthanize rather than let the betta suffer.

But it is your friend's choice, albeit a difficult one, and I understand wanting to try treatment. It is true that aquarium salt helps with breathing issues, but I think that you will find that it may be stressful to the fish. But euthanizing will be stressful to your friend...

So sorry!!!

Thanks for replying
My friend has just gone to the fish shop this morning to get some salt, she says wants to try every option before euthanasia. She got recommended some black water extract too. We’ll see how it goes. This morning he regained some energy and became interested in food again, he started swimming quickly to the top to reach it but couldnt quite make it. So she is feeding him in a small container to make it easier for him.

 

She can try lowering the tank water level since he is the only fish in the tank. It may help him in that he won't have to swim as far to get air.

I hope he recovers!!!!

 

She can try lowering the tank water level since he is the only fish in the tank. It may help him in that he won't have to swim as far to get air.

I hope he recovers!!!!

Over the past 24 hours he’s made big improvements! He’s upright, swimming more, reacting to stimuli and eating again. We have decided not to euthanize him yet he’s still fighting : )

 

Great!!! This is good news!!!