New Betta!!! Sick!! Rescue mission!!!

I got this betta today after going into a local pet shop. He isn't swimming well. He can still swim but is pretty lethargic. I'm thinking he may have an SBI because he isn't bloated and his fins don't look irritated. And his scales don't seem to be lifted. I'm going to be ordered kanaplex, metroplex, and focus off of amazon soon. Will this help? If its an internal parasite will it help?

 

He could be distressed and depressed. All Bettas look pretty lethargic to me, but especially in those little cups they keep them in. Hopefully he will look better when you get him in a proper tank. Get him some vita chem and garlic guard to boost his immune system. I suppose the antibiotics won't hurt just in case. Good luck, hope the little fella feels better. I miss my Ziggy. Bettas have such cool little personalities.

 

Kanaplex and metroplex are last resorts for dying fish in my opinion, as medication can do a lot of harm (like kidney failure). If he's in that little tiny container they keep him in, put him in a real, established tank with crystal clear water, and maybe some garlic guard and/or stress guard. See if he perks up. Looks like some of his scales have been damaged, so keeping the water in perfect condition and adding some natural skin protection like the guards could be all he needs. Doesn't look like he has an actual infection just yet.

 

Kanaplex and metroplex are last resorts for dying fish in my opinion, as medication can do a lot of harm (like kidney failure). If he's in that little tiny container they keep him in, put him in a real, established tank with crystal clear water, and maybe some garlic guard and/or stress guard. See if he perks up. Looks like some of his scales have been damaged, so keeping the water in perfect condition and adding some natural skin protection like the guards could be all he needs. Doesn't look like he has an actual infection just yet.

I got another female the more I look at her the more worried I am. What do you think

 

Did you get this female fish after you had already gotten the male? I would stick with one sick fish at a time... now you can’t put these two in the same tank because they are both sick and could infect each other. You also now have either a breeding pair or two separate tanks to deal with forever.

She looks very bloated. Possibly parasites. Besides that, I don’t see anything obvious. Put her in a separate quarantine tank with the same things I recommended for the original sick male and feed her half a pea tonight. Then don’t feed her for a few days. Keep an eye on her poop for possible parasites. It will be white and stringy if she has parasites.

Do not get another sick fish.

While we’re at it. What is the size of the main tank? What are the parameters (exact numbers for ammonia, nitrites and nitrates please) and what other fish do you have in it? Do you have a quarantine tank set up?

 

I got another female the more I look at her the more worried I am. What do you think

Same as LivebearerMom said, get them into clean water with some stress coat and give them at least a day to de-stress. Those cups can be pretty terrible for them, and they don't look super sick, they probably just need time.

 

...put him in a real, established tank with crystal clear water...

Or blackwater, if we're getting picky.

 

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Did you get this female fish after you had already gotten the male? I would stick with one sick fish at a time... now you can’t put these two in the same tank because they are both sick and could infect each other. You also now have either a breeding pair or two separate tanks to deal with forever.

She looks very bloated. Possibly parasites. Besides that, I don’t see anything obvious. Put her in a separate quarantine tank with the same things I recommended for the original sick male and feed her half a pea tonight. Then don’t feed her for a few days. Keep an eye on her poop for possible parasites. It will be white and stringy if she has parasites.

Do not get another sick fish.

While we’re at it. What is the size of the main tank? What are the parameters (exact numbers for ammonia, nitrites and nitrates please) and what other fish do you have in it? Do you have a quarantine tank set up?

I didn't realize that they both were sick. I have two quarantine tanks. And a 10 gallon with a divider.

 

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I didn't realize that they both were sick. I have two quarantine tanks. And a 10 gallon with a divider.

Ah, perfect. They both seem decently healthy for betta fish in a bowl. Can’t say I’ve ever seen a super healthy bowl betta before. I hope it all works out for them both!

 

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Ah, perfect. They both seem decently healthy for betta fish in a bowl. I hope it all works out for them both!

Thank you I do too. I'm about to make an order on amazon. What medications do I need to buy. I have betta fix. Would you mind listing what I need to get for these particular fish.

 

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Thank you I do too. I'm about to make an order on amazon. What medications do I need to buy. I have betta fix. Would you mind listing what I need to get for these particular fish.

TL;DR Seachem’s stressguard and Prime


I personally like Seachem’s supplies as they aren’t super expensive and I’ve had more luck with them than with API. I’m no betta expert (I own livebearers) but I think Seachem Prime (a water conditioner that also removes ammonia) and stressguard are good for new fish.

Someone else said garlic guard, but if they are eating fine for you this won’t do much as it is to entice them to eat.

If you see any parasites on their body ( a lot of pet store fish have parasites) you could try doing a few salt dips (which is more natural) or you’ll have to figure out what it is (protozoan, external, internal) and buy medications based off that. Salt dips are easier in my opinion.

 

TL;DR Seachem’s stressguard and Prime


I personally like Seachem’s supplies as they aren’t super expensive and I’ve had more luck with them than with API. I’m no betta expert (I own livebearers) but I think Seachem Prime (a water conditioner that also removes ammonia) and stressguard are good for new fish.

Someone else said garlic guard, but if they are eating fine for you this won’t do much as it is to entice them to eat.

If you see any parasites on their body ( a lot of pet store fish have parasites) you could try doing a few salt dips (which is more natural) or you’ll have to figure out what it is (protozoan, external, internal) and buy medications based off that. Salt dips are easier in my opinion.

This pet store I most likely won't be supporting any longer. They don't put them into cups but have them in small square areas so its all seperated out. One betta on the other side I saw white spots on I'm assuming ich. I walked in to get one fish and walked out with two. So I'm thinking I'll probably treat with paraguard as well.

 

Not a bad idea. Don’t forget to remove any carbon from the filter if you treat with meds