Old or Sick or Both?

I have a betta that I got from Walmart over a year and a half ago. He was doing fine until recently. I moved him to my 90 gallon from his 10 gallon and forgot to dechlorinate. The other fish died, but he survived. I moved him back to his own 10 gallon tank and he seemed not as energetic and slow. He has now slowed down to the point that I rarely seem him moving without having to encourage him. I add food to the tank, but never seem him eating much. He did eat a freeze dried bloodworm the other day. There seems to be some bloating in the abdomen, but not huge. Water tests 0,0,20 with a weekly water change of 50%. It's a planted tank with a few snails as well.

 

Its definitely possible that forgetting the dechlorinator had a negative effect on him. Most bettas sold in big box stores are about a year old, putting him at around 3 years old which I believe is the life span of most typical bettas. I'm sure his age + the chlorinated water are both contributing factors as to why he is unwell. The bloating is for sure problematic; a picture here would definitely be of help to figure out what is wrong with him in that regard.

 

I tried to get a couple of good pics but it's hard since he just lays on the gravel.

 

Thanks for the pictures! Are his scales pine-coning? How is his appetite? Still refusing food except for the bloodworms?

 

Scales on his belly are a little raised, but not on the rest of his body. I've only seen him eat once in the past week or so. I still offer the food, but he just doesn't eat.



Here's a better pic of his scales.

 

I'm just hoping it isn't dropsy. They do look a little raised though. Is he pooping?

 

I've not noticed any poop, but then again with him lying on the ground all the time I'm not sure I would see the poop.

 

I would try to see somehow if he's pooping at all, if not he might be backed up which could explain the bloating and refusal to eat. If he is in fact constipated, I'd fast him for 3 days and then feed him little bits of cooked shelled pea to help him pass whatever is making him constipated.

 

I will try fasting and peas.

 

Hope that helps ! In the meantime, make sure his water is super clean and that he is nice and warm.

 

Maybe try giving him an epsom salts soak. 1/2 teaspoon per gallon for 15 minutes. And dropsy can effect one spot rather then all of his body. You could also put epsom salts straight into his tank. It doesn't leave the water on its own so you'll have to do water changes. Hope that helps a bit.

 

I've fasted him for the past 3 days and offered him the peas. So far he has had not interest in the peas. I dropped it right in front of him and he just ignores it.

I've not done the salt bath yet. I don't have any aquarium salt on hand.

 

I've fasted him for the past 3 days and offered him the peas. So far he has had not interest in the peas. I dropped it right in front of him and he just ignores it.

I've not done the salt bath yet. I don't have any aquarium salt on hand.

You use Epsom salt for the soak. It helps with bloat. I did one for my Betta because he is having the same problem and it helped him out a bit. I believe the mixture is 1/2 tsp for 5 gallons and you let him swim in it for 15 minutes. I am currently going through the same thing with my Betta prince so I know how worry some it is. I tried the pea thing and prince ate it, but I never witnessed him dedicating. Hope your Betta recovers though. It's weird that you can get attached to something you can't really hold or cuddle.

 

Tonight when I got home he was dead. Shang will be missed.