My betta is pale and barely moving

Hi everyone, it's been awhile since I posted on here. I currently have a 2-year old betta in a five gallon. I've had him for two years and he always seemed healthy. Whenever I approach his tank, he'll always swim up, ready for me to feed him. However these past few days he won't swim up when I approach, so I've had to wave my hand around to get his attention, then he'll swim up. Today however, even with waving my hand, he hasn't swam up. And he's just staying in his hideout. I decided to do a water change and even while doing the water change he's been barely moving. And he looks really pale and exhausted. He doesn't have bloat or any bacteria growing on him, so I'm not sure what's wrong.

I've had betta fish live up to five years in my care, so him being this sick at only 2 is weird. Should I add medication to his aquarium? Aquarium salt? Any advice is appreciated.

 

From what I can tell, the quality of betta fish health/genetics has decreased dramatically over the years. It could just be that this betta has a harder time as he gets older. It sounds like you know your fish very well- you've done well with observing his behavior and keeping an eye on him.

I don't know much about treating sick fish, so I'll keep quiet and let others more knowledgable on the topic chime in with their thoughts on aquarium salt/medication ^^;

I'm sorry to suggest this, but if his condition only worsens and goes on for months, I would look into clove oil as a euthanasia option :-( It could be an alternative method to help him go peacefully. He's in good hands with you, whatever you end up doing for him. Wishing the little guy a speedy recovery

 

What are the levels in your tank? Ammonia, nitrite, nitrate? Has anything in the tank changed? You can get some Indian Almond Leaves to put in but definitely test your water parameters first and make sure everything's okay there. It's also possible that he just wasn't meant to be able to last long. I've had fish last ages and others that lasted months to a year with nothing wrong with the tanks, it's just the fish. But always best to eliminate everything else before assuming that.

 

In cases like these, sometimes more info is needed, along with a pic. It would help if you could fill out the emergency template. Just copy and paste the questions into a post, and answer them as best as you can in as much detail as you can give.

Aquatic Emergency Template | Freshwater Fish Disease and Fish Health Forum | 376562

 

I recommend checking the ammonia levels first and if you're able to I would try to get a hold of some Indian almond leaves. They might turn your water a little yellowish but they'll release some very healthy tannins in your tank that your Betta will appreciate. Also it is crucial not to overfeed during this time.

 

Thanks everyone for your responses. I most likely will go out and get some Indian almond leaves. This is the best pic I could get of my betta, since today he's all the way in the back corner of the tank hiding behind a plant.

Also I did about a 70% water change and changed the filter media yesterday.

 

You might want to stay on top of water parameters now since you changed your filter media, as that is where the majority of the beneficial bacteria live. You may end up having a crashed nitrogen cycle, and will need to add Prime conditioner, or something like it that will detoxify ammonia and nitrite, and do frequent water changes every other day due to rising ammonia and nitrite levels. Unless you have other cycled media in the tank, or kept some of the old?

It's best to rinse media in old tank water when it needs to be cleaned.

I hope everything works out and your betta gets better!!!! He is very beautiful!

 

Thanks again for all the advice. After a week of medicating and doing partial water change, he kept getting worse. Last night I went to check on him, and he passed away. I'm so heartbroken, as I called him my little "study buddy" since I got him during the covid lockdown when my university was closed and he was on my study desk.

 

I'm very sorry for your loss. As said earlier in the post, the only information I can offer is that this was most likely genetics to blame. In the picture, he seemed to have clamped fins and loss of color just as you described. In the end, it sounds like you took very good care of him. Some bettas just reach their age limits quicker than others. For example, in another forum I used to visit, one person was in almost the exact situation, and their betta girl had to face euthanization due to her poor condition. She lived a year unfortunately... I would really hope you try another betta friend. Maybe not right away, but overtime, you should consider another betta. I think a good caretaker such as you should always have a betta.

 

So, so sorry for your loss!!!