Lethargic Betta

[Whitelightning]

Hi,
I just looked through your forums, and your betta does not look as bad as I thought! I think you should wait until the weekends. My amazing little platy mango had dropsy. She was sick for a couple of days until suddenly started hiding a lot and died. I would give him a few more days, and some betta fix may be helpful. If he suddenly stops moving and lays on the ground, euthanize bc there is no hope. But maybe wait a bit, he may survive and you may think, "good thing I didn't euthanize". Live foods may be nice to get him to move around. Pls, wait at least 24h! It's gonna be ok! He is a fighter! He can do it! Do not euthanize him YET! My betta sends Flat Pat good luck, and he is generally a lucky guy...

That's so good to hear, thank you for the feedback, I greatly appreciate it!

I know it's very tough of a situation and I truly hope for the best. At the end of the day remember that we just bring opinions it's overall your decision. If you decide to treat your fish I would to Epsom Salt, Kanaplex AND Furan 2

Thank you so much for the feedback and information, I greatly appreciate it!
Just so everyone has a reference, here's how he looks:

 

[Ghostly]

I can't believe he has dropsy. Some people are saying "euthanize," some people on the forum are saying "wait, try to treat him," my family is saying don't euthanize. There's also the option of giving him a break and not doing anything, but I worry he'll get worse.

People are recommending I do Epsom salt baths and Kanaplex. I just finished up with Kanaplex treatment! Oh well, whatever needs to be done. I don't know if I have Epsom salt... I also worry he won't tolerate the bath very well...

On top of it, the parameters are WAY out of whack from the antibiotics. HELP, Parameters Out of Whack, No Wonder my Betta is Dying | Aquarium Water Forum | 491631

It was just the other day I added an Indian almond leaf and got an extra large betta leaf hammock for him. Not the regular size, but the extra large one because he's extra special.

I have a whole planted tank planned for him. He's probably not going to get to see it. This makes me cry.

I would not do the epson salt bath for him as he is already not doing good (it is way it is actually more common for them to pass out in it) I know people have had great luck with kanaplex and the needle method will remove build up fluid and that way is the most successful.

also are you sure he has dropsy? can you get a picture of him from above? it would be horrible if you euthanized then realized he did not have it.

 

[fishbreeeder]

That's so good to hear, thank you for the feedback, I greatly appreciate it!

Thank you so much for the feedback and information, I greatly appreciate it!
Just so everyone has a reference, here's how he looks:
View attachment 774032View attachment 774033View attachment 774034View attachment 774035

Haha, it's not that bad! The dropsy is very slight! The fin rot and popeye are pretty rough but they are FAR less likely to be fatal!

 

[Spudsssy]

If a fish is gasping at bottom of tank unable to move I euthanize using clove oil like everyone else has suggested... Iv had a few miracle recoveries over the years so I usually wait till fish is most likely gonna die within 24hours.

If the fish is still eating and moving around there is still chance for recovery. I had a fish with dropsy and swim bladder issues.... He is still alive year later even with bouancy issues!

Clean water and as little stress as possible can be best cure. Be careful overdoing different medications.

 

[BruinAquatics]

Again don't forget to dose Kanaplex with Furan-2 to get the optimal results to help strengthen the gram negative bacteria fighting.

 

[Ghostly]

good luck and please post if you need any help!

 

[CHJ]

That's so good to hear, thank you for the feedback, I greatly appreciate it!

Thank you so much for the feedback and information, I greatly appreciate it!
Just so everyone has a reference, here's how he looks:
View attachment 774032View attachment 774033View attachment 774034View attachment 774035

Looks like a nitrate issue to me.
water changes for the win.

 

[Whitelightning]

My betta is not eating, even when I soak his NutriDiet Betta pellets in garlic juice. I use a tweezers and drop it right in front of him and he'll just sit there. He is very lethargic because he has dropsy. How do I get him to eat? It's been about a week without food. Is he going to starve to death? Should I lower the water to a few inches so I can let the food float so he won't have to swim as much for it? Thanks!

 

[Ghostly]

is he still interested in it?
maybe you could try frozen/live food i think frozen blood worms will be the best as they give life like movements in the water.

 

[Ouse]

Have you treated the dropsy yet?

Lowering the water generally isn’t a good idea as ammonia builds up faster in smaller volumes of water. The tank should be full. Is the betta sinking?

 

[Whitelightning]

is he still interested in it?
maybe you could try frozen/live food i think frozen blood worms will be the best as they give life like movements in the water.

He doesn't seem interested in it. I was thinking frozen blood worms as well. Thanks for the feedback, I greatly appreciate it!

Have you treated the dropsy yet?

Lowering the water generally isn’t a good idea as ammonia builds up faster in smaller volumes of water. The tank should be full. Is the betta sinking?

I have a suggestion so the mods don’t get angry. Why don’t you make one thread based on your betta’s health rather than multiple? This way we can also track the fish’s progress easier.

I have not treated the dropsy yet, as the wonder shells, which are part of the treatment regiment I found should be coming on Wednesday.

Ahh, makes sense! Yeah, someone suggested I lower the water, but I haven't done it, so the tank has been full this whole time. As for the sinking question, he's just lying at the bottom. On occasion he'll swim a little bit (not very high) and then float to the bottom. Other times, on occasion, I'll see him nose down and the rest of his body floating upwards as he's struggling to stay upright.

That's such a good idea! Gosh, I'm not smart like you are. I feel bad for making things so confusing for everyone. I should have just created one thread like I did with the tank journal.

 

[Ouse]

Is there sinking food your fish will accept?

 

[Whitelightning]

Is there sinking food your fish will accept?

The pellets sink if I soak them in water, so I just use tweezers and place the food/pellets just a little above him/in front of him and it floats down and he just sits there.

 

[Ouse]

I’m not sure what to do then. When was the last time the fish ate food?

 

[Debbie1986]

i fed a betta using a betta cup, take her out of tank, feed , return to tank.

she could ony swim at an angle for a while

i did it for a few weeks using garlic juice on her food.

fish can live for 2 weeks without food, so please do not panic

i don't recommend my method, it's just sometimes you have to use your best judgement.



*her angle swimming stopped once moved to a 20 gallon

 

[Whitelightning]

I’m not sure what to do then. When was the last time the fish ate food?

About one week ago was the last time he ate.

And thank you, I hope so too!

i fed a betta using a betta cup, take her out of tank, feed , return to tank.

she could ony swim at an angle for a while

i did it for a few weeks using garlic juice on her food.

fish can live for 2 weeks without food, so please do not panic

i don't recommend my method, it's just sometimes you have to use your best judgement.



*her angle swimming stopped once moved to a 20 gallon

Do you mean you placed the betta in a cup/betta cup of tank water and put the food in there/inside the cup? I'm glad the angle swimming stopped once you moved to a 20 gallon! Thanks for the feedback, I greatly appreciate it!

 

[Ouse]

I think you should wait until tomorrow when the medication arrives. The fish doesn’t want to eat so it’s best to respect that.

 

[Whitelightning]

I think you should wait until tomorrow when the medication arrives. The fish doesn’t want to eat so it’s best to respect that.

Do you mean I should try feeding him in the cup after I have treated him for the first time tomorrow? (Sorry if I am WAY off by what you mean). Thanks for the feedback, I greatly appreciate it!

 

[Ouse]

Your next course of action would be to treat the dropsy, and as the fish heals, feed him/her more frequently over time. There’s no use in feeding now.

 

[Whitelightning]

Your next course of action would be to treat the dropsy, and as the fish heals, feed him/her more frequently over time. There’s no use in feeding now.

I see! Thank you so much for the feedback, I greatly appreciate it!