Thanks for the help, it's so reassuring to hear that there's probably nothing wrong with him I leave interesting objects around my betta tanks too, right now Tango has a huge kaleidoscope. I haven't tried the ping pong ball thing yet, but it seems like a great idea. I am definitely a victI'm of MBS, right now I have 9 boys and I'm looking to potentially start a sorority in the future! Thanks again for the help and useful information!
Lethargic Betta
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Bettas are very addicting
I'm still worried about my little guy, it's so unlike him to just lay on the gravel all day. I gave him some Tetra Lifeguard last night. Is there anything else I can do to help him out?
I'm still worried about my little guy, it's so unlike him to just lay on the gravel all day. I gave him some Tetra Lifeguard last night. Is there anything else I can do to help him out?
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He's acting pretty much the same way that he was yesterday, but he seems to be moving around on the bottom more. I'll try doing the water changes and stop the medication as suggested. I do have some "betta hammocks" that I can borrow from the other bettas .
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My poor betta still isn't doing well
He's acting the same as he was when I last posted and still eats normally but sits at the bottom all day. The only changes I've noticed is that he seems to be breathing a little bit more heavily and his top fin seems to be turning translucent which I noticed when he first started acting strangely but it has gotten a lot worse since then.
Daily water changes, temperature increases and even a treatment of Kanaplex all seem to have no effect. I'm completely lost as to what this could be. Does anyone know any diseases that could cause a bettas fins to become translucent with bits of black in them? Any advice would be appreciated.
He's acting the same as he was when I last posted and still eats normally but sits at the bottom all day. The only changes I've noticed is that he seems to be breathing a little bit more heavily and his top fin seems to be turning translucent which I noticed when he first started acting strangely but it has gotten a lot worse since then.
Daily water changes, temperature increases and even a treatment of Kanaplex all seem to have no effect. I'm completely lost as to what this could be. Does anyone know any diseases that could cause a bettas fins to become translucent with bits of black in them? Any advice would be appreciated.
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How long was he treated with Tetra Safe Guard and Kanaplex? When was the last dose of Kanaplex? Does he look bloated? Is he eating and pooping?
What are your water parameters and tank size? How long have you had him? What type of filter are you using?
What are your water parameters and tank size? How long have you had him? What type of filter are you using?
Thanks for the reply
I treated with Tetra Lifeguard for 5 days right after I noticed he was acing lethargic. He was treated with Kanaplex for 4 days and the last dose was about a week ago. He doesn't look bloated and eats normally but it seems to take a lot of effort for him to swim to the surface and he sometimes falls back down once or twice before he can reach it. I haven't seen him poop but I don't usually notice any of my bettas pooping. I unfortunately don't have a test on hand but I'm sure the parameters are alright because I change 100% of the water every other day in his hospital tank. He's in a 1 gallon tank at the moment for treatment and so that it's easier for him to reach the surface but he's usually in a heated 3.5 gallon. I've had him for about a year. He doesn't have filtration in his hospital tank. Also, I forgot to mention that he's been on Erythromycin for 6 days.
His top fin is almost completely transparent but it looks like there's little wads of red stuff in it. Could this be Septicaemia?
I treated with Tetra Lifeguard for 5 days right after I noticed he was acing lethargic. He was treated with Kanaplex for 4 days and the last dose was about a week ago. He doesn't look bloated and eats normally but it seems to take a lot of effort for him to swim to the surface and he sometimes falls back down once or twice before he can reach it. I haven't seen him poop but I don't usually notice any of my bettas pooping. I unfortunately don't have a test on hand but I'm sure the parameters are alright because I change 100% of the water every other day in his hospital tank. He's in a 1 gallon tank at the moment for treatment and so that it's easier for him to reach the surface but he's usually in a heated 3.5 gallon. I've had him for about a year. He doesn't have filtration in his hospital tank. Also, I forgot to mention that he's been on Erythromycin for 6 days.
His top fin is almost completely transparent but it looks like there's little wads of red stuff in it. Could this be Septicaemia?
It could be but since you treated him with Kanaplex already, which is typically the med for septicemia, it's hard to know.
He has been on a lot of meds, poor thing. CindiL is very knowledgeable about IDing fish diseases and use of medications for treatment. Hopefully she will be able to help.
He has been on a lot of meds, poor thing. CindiL is very knowledgeable about IDing fish diseases and use of medications for treatment. Hopefully she will be able to help.
I've treated him with some of the most effective broad treatment meds that I could find but the most worrying thing is that nothing seems to be making a difference. I'm going on a vacation in a week and I really don't want to leave Tango while he's sick so I hope I can find a way to effectively treat him before then.
Thanks for the help
Thanks for the help
You could try Betta Revive. It has methylene blue that may help him breath easier.
You can find LFS that sell it here
I would also try using Betta Ulitmate (dechlorinator) with Betta Revive, its what is recommended by the manufacture. If you can't, just use the conditioner you're using, I haven't heard of anyone having problems using another dechlorinator with Betta Revive.
Treat in a hospital tank, the medication is prescribed for small tanks. Remove carbon in your filter. Methylene blue stains.
Hope he starts feeling better.
I would also try using Betta Ulitmate (dechlorinator) with Betta Revive, its what is recommended by the manufacture. If you can't, just use the conditioner you're using, I haven't heard of anyone having problems using another dechlorinator with Betta Revive.
Treat in a hospital tank, the medication is prescribed for small tanks. Remove carbon in your filter. Methylene blue stains.
Hope he starts feeling better.
I picked up the Betta Revive yesterday and I happen to have Betta Ultimate on hand. I'll start treating him today and hopefully see some improvement.
Make sure you do a 100% water change before adding each daily dose.
I only added Betta Revive about 2 hours ago and Tango already seems to be moving around more than he has in weeks! It's a bit early to tell, but it seems like he is getting better.
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My betta is acting funny. 2 days ago he was acting fine swimming and coming up for food. Yesterday and today he is on the ground and not coming up to eat. I had to use a stick to bother the betta into position to see the food. Then it ate. What is wrong with the betta? It is a 20 gallon high planted fish tank with 1 baby bn pleco, 3 otos and many cherry shrimp. The parameters are
Temp 76
Ph 6.8
Kh 3
Gh 4
Nitrate 5-10
Temp 76
Ph 6.8
Kh 3
Gh 4
Nitrate 5-10
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Alright, until then, is your betta able to swim upwards? Or does he sink back down whenever he tries? Also, when you check on him make sure to check from above to look for any raised scales and bloatedness. Without being to see anything it's hard to suggest any medications or course of treatment. At the moment, I would suggest a QT tank and a water change.
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Oh my, that looks like possible hole in the head. CindiL Dragones5150918 Bettatude and Aquaphobia will have more experience here.
HI
What are you testing with? Your first post doesn't indicate the numbers for ammonia and nitrite? How often and how large are your water changes?
The temp is a bit cool for bettas as they like it around 80, however, that's problematic for your otos especially since they like cooler water (below 75). I think you may want to consider getting the betta its own tank.
What are you testing with? Your first post doesn't indicate the numbers for ammonia and nitrite? How often and how large are your water changes?
The temp is a bit cool for bettas as they like it around 80, however, that's problematic for your otos especially since they like cooler water (below 75). I think you may want to consider getting the betta its own tank.
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Ammonia and nitrite test 0. I'll do weekly water changes from now on. How should I treat the hole in head? Will metro+ work?
My only experience with hole in the head is google. I would think metroplex or general cure would be your go to options here. First of all though you're going to want to separate your fish some how, you really don't want to be medicating your unaffected fish. Now that I look a little closer, it also looks like your fish's eye may be cloudy, which could be strep, in that case erythromycin would be your treatment for that. CindiL has a lot of experience and knowledge about medications and could help you better set up a medication routine here.
But for the time being, separate tank, and a large water change to help make your water pristine. You should also raise your temperature a couple degrees to make your betta more comfortable.
But for the time being, separate tank, and a large water change to help make your water pristine. You should also raise your temperature a couple degrees to make your betta more comfortable.
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Hello, yes the first thing I noticed were his cloudy protruding eyes and then when I enlarged the first pic I do see the many holes.
You'll want metro for the HITH (or general cure which has it also) and erythromycin for the eyes. I "think" they can be combined but I'll double check. I would remove and treat him in a quarantine tank because the erythromycin is very hard on the bio-filter. I would also recommend treating your main tank for parasites as HITH is a symptom that usually starts with gut parasites.
Edit: I checked a list of contraindications and you should be fine combining erythromycin and metronidazole (and praziquantel if you use general cure).
You'll want metro for the HITH (or general cure which has it also) and erythromycin for the eyes. I "think" they can be combined but I'll double check. I would remove and treat him in a quarantine tank because the erythromycin is very hard on the bio-filter. I would also recommend treating your main tank for parasites as HITH is a symptom that usually starts with gut parasites.
Edit: I checked a list of contraindications and you should be fine combining erythromycin and metronidazole (and praziquantel if you use general cure).
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I think it should be enough. Do you happen to have a spare air pump lying around? Because you could use that and make a home made filter or pick up a cheap sponge filter.
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Good. The metro will help the HITH, dose it to the water column as well as soaking his food in it ok?
You can try nitrofurazone first for th eyes which is easy to find around in fish or pet stores. Its sold under the names of API Furan-2, Tetra Fungus guard or Jungle Fungus Clear tabs (walmart). If that doesn't work then order the erythromycin.
You can try nitrofurazone first for th eyes which is easy to find around in fish or pet stores. Its sold under the names of API Furan-2, Tetra Fungus guard or Jungle Fungus Clear tabs (walmart). If that doesn't work then order the erythromycin.
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HI guys,
The fish that got me into the hobby isn't doing so hot. He is starting to get old and I'm scared that he might be nearing his time.
The betta is a veiltail betta, about 3 years old. He has a nice 10 gallon tank all to himself, where he has been residing for the last 2.5 years. The last few days he has been acting kind of different. He doesn't come up to see me like he usually does and doesn't beg for food. He kind of just lays at the bottom of the tank. It's really sad because he's usually very active. When he does come up for air, he swims very slowly and points just his head straight up to the sky and lingers for a few seconds at the surface before going back down.
He's been like this since about Friday. I did a 25% water change on Saturday but there were no changes. I dosed the tank with StressGuard and I put some vitamins in the tank as well.
Today I decided to put him in a breeder box net in effort to keep him close to the surface. He has a flowerpot and plant in there so he has places to rest and hide.
Levels are normal.
Ammonia: 0ppm
Nitrites: 0ppm
Nitrates: 40ppm (I know that's on the high side but he's lived in that for the majority of his life because I have not so great tap water)
I'm planning to do another water change with RODI water (with supplements added back in) to help reduce the nitrates. We just got the system about three weeks ago and have been slowly adding the new mix to each of the tanks.
I don't really know what else I can do. Does anyone else have suggestions? He's been swimming around in the breeder box but has mostly been laying down inside the flowerpot. I really hope he's okay and it's just him getting older.
Thanks in advance for the suggestions!
-lovetuv
The fish that got me into the hobby isn't doing so hot. He is starting to get old and I'm scared that he might be nearing his time.
The betta is a veiltail betta, about 3 years old. He has a nice 10 gallon tank all to himself, where he has been residing for the last 2.5 years. The last few days he has been acting kind of different. He doesn't come up to see me like he usually does and doesn't beg for food. He kind of just lays at the bottom of the tank. It's really sad because he's usually very active. When he does come up for air, he swims very slowly and points just his head straight up to the sky and lingers for a few seconds at the surface before going back down.
He's been like this since about Friday. I did a 25% water change on Saturday but there were no changes. I dosed the tank with StressGuard and I put some vitamins in the tank as well.
Today I decided to put him in a breeder box net in effort to keep him close to the surface. He has a flowerpot and plant in there so he has places to rest and hide.
Levels are normal.
Ammonia: 0ppm
Nitrites: 0ppm
Nitrates: 40ppm (I know that's on the high side but he's lived in that for the majority of his life because I have not so great tap water)
I'm planning to do another water change with RODI water (with supplements added back in) to help reduce the nitrates. We just got the system about three weeks ago and have been slowly adding the new mix to each of the tanks.
I don't really know what else I can do. Does anyone else have suggestions? He's been swimming around in the breeder box but has mostly been laying down inside the flowerpot. I really hope he's okay and it's just him getting older.
Thanks in advance for the suggestions!
-lovetuv
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Temperature is a little higher than usual because I live in the desert, it's summer, and our A/C went out! It's at 80 degrees Fahrenheit, but it's usually at 78.
No other symptoms that I can see. He looks normal, he's just acting different.
He's being fed Omega One betta buffet pellets. I've been going pretty slowly and matching levels with supplements as much as possible It's been a few weeks now so I think it should be okay.
I attached some pictures of him so you guys can see. When I took these I also dropped some food in for him and he just stayed at the bottom of the net If he doesn't eat tonight I'm going to try some bloodworms, they're his favorite.
Could he be depressed? Have their been any changes to his routine? Usually it's only males that have just been separated from their siblings, or males that have just been bred and then isolated again that get depressed, but I had a male who would get depressed and lonely from time to time for seemingly random reasons. I put him in a divided 10 gallon tank with a female and he perked right up, and I never had a problem after that.
You've got him in a 10, maybe try dividing it and putting a female on the other side? After an appropriate quarantine and checking them both for parasites and/or contagious diseases?
If he's got no other symptoms, he could just be getting old, but there's a possibility he could be depressed, too. Maybe pull up a youtube video of a betta swimming on a tablet and hold it up to his tank where he can see it. Does he react or show interest at all?
You've got him in a 10, maybe try dividing it and putting a female on the other side? After an appropriate quarantine and checking them both for parasites and/or contagious diseases?
If he's got no other symptoms, he could just be getting old, but there's a possibility he could be depressed, too. Maybe pull up a youtube video of a betta swimming on a tablet and hold it up to his tank where he can see it. Does he react or show interest at all?
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I haven't changed anything for him in a long time, so I don't think it's that. It might just be a random depression like you said. I will try a mirror and video tomorrow and see if I get any reaction. I also have a female but I'd like to avoid moving her if possible. If nothing else gets him back to normal I will try it Thank you so much for the suggestions, I will keep you updated and post tomorrow!
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Thanks guys, that's kind of what I'm thinking at this point. He's just getting old. He didn't react to a mirror or video He's always reacted to the mirror, but he physically turned away and that's it. No flare or swimming or anything. From his spot at the bottom of the net he just turned around. It was really sad.
So he isn't eating any pellets but I managed to get him to eat three bloodworms. I'm putting more vitamins and StressGuard in the tank as well.
Do you guys think that I should take him out of the breeder box net? He does seem to have some issues with swimming a little bit but I think he's just being a lazy old man. It's just kind of weird because he was just like this one day, it wasn't gradual.
If you guys have any other suggestions or think that I should move him out of the net, let me know Thank you for all of your help!! I really appreciate it.
3 actually isn't old for a betta, it's barely middle age, but if you got him from a national pet chain, they're often mass need (betta equivalent of a puppy mill) and longevity is not a priority for those breeders. So it's possible it's just in his genetics to have his little body shut down early.
Maybe see if he'll eat peas? If he's not eating pellets you need something else, the bloodworms will cause constipation. Or daphnia, that's closer to his natural diet, but while everyone I know says their bettas love it, I've never had one that would eat it.
I'd recommend leaving him in the breeder box for now. If he's having trouble swimming, that'll help keep him comfortable. If it's just his age, anything to keep him comfortable is the priority in my opinion.
It is really sad, I hope he bounces back, but if he doesn't, it seems like he had a wonderful life with someone who cared deeply about him. A 10 gallon all to himself, a very knowledgeable and responsible owner, I mean, he was definitely spoiled and treated well. No matter what at this point, judging by this thread, I feel like you've done right by him.
Please continue to keep us updated on how he's doing.
Maybe see if he'll eat peas? If he's not eating pellets you need something else, the bloodworms will cause constipation. Or daphnia, that's closer to his natural diet, but while everyone I know says their bettas love it, I've never had one that would eat it.
I'd recommend leaving him in the breeder box for now. If he's having trouble swimming, that'll help keep him comfortable. If it's just his age, anything to keep him comfortable is the priority in my opinion.
It is really sad, I hope he bounces back, but if he doesn't, it seems like he had a wonderful life with someone who cared deeply about him. A 10 gallon all to himself, a very knowledgeable and responsible owner, I mean, he was definitely spoiled and treated well. No matter what at this point, judging by this thread, I feel like you've done right by him.
Please continue to keep us updated on how he's doing.
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