Physically disabled Betta Do I euthanize? Need lots of votes

TLDR: I have a physically disabled betta that sinks/lists mildly and can't keep healthy fins (and yes I've tried everything I can think of). He can and does swim, especially to come see me and get food, but spends 90% of his time in his floating betta log just sitting there. He has no other signs of disease and seems like this is just who he is now. Does he care? Should I euthanize him?

PS: I am a huge softy. I treat my fish like the rest of my pets, I take good care of them until the day they die of old age, even if I hate them (yup I have an old fish I hate). I don't believe in cutting their fins off or bleaching tanks etc. I take this issue seriously and sadly!

Long version for those with questions:
I have a physically disabled betta I rescued from a "take it or I'm flushing it" situation. He was small but in good health as far as I could tell when I got him, so obviously I broke this poor fish somehow. He lives in a heated filtered planted 5g tank. I don't know what exactly happened to him, how he accrued an injury, or if it was something else, but its been two months with issues with no changes at all and everything about him seems like this is permanent. He is a very small crowntail betta, he has that kind of curved look to him on profile that you see in some fish, where the head and upper body are straight on but the back half of the fish starts kind of drooping down and looks kind of.. I don't know, droopy I guess! See it in small pet store betta sometimes. He doesn't have a nice flat profile like my other bettas, is what I mean.

I've actually posted about him before being confounded as to whether he had SBD, fin rot, what was wrong with him but I have tried *literally* every treatment under the sun for diseases, bacterial, viral, you name it, I've done it. I have not used Melafix (obis diluted) or something I have called Kordon Rapid Cure.

At the very beginning he was getting fin rot, which confused me because all water conditions were pristine, I did all the water changes, I watched, waited, nothing. I treated with kanaplex, maybe a very slight recovery starting, then back to sad fins. Then he started sinking and listing to one side. Nothing severe, so I think SBD, fasted him, did daphnia, nothing changed, so I did epsom salt bath and his energy maybe slightly improved (maybe placebo effect for me) for a day or two then back to the same. His fins started growing a little bit back at this point so I was encouraged, but his listing/sinking hadn't changed at all. He doesn't sink like a rock or lay on his side he just kind of gently sinks butt first and then "sits" on his tail slightly curved beneath him and leans to one side. Always lists to the right which is another reason I think it's an injury or something. He is always kind of "curved" leaning to one side it genuinely looks like he's sitting - but when he swims his spine is not crooked. I dosed the tank directly with small amounts of epsom salt for only a couple weeks and debatably his fins were better but swimming, the same. He has a slight hole in one pectoral fin that's been there forever and I wonder if maybe those are the only fins left he can use to swim with, its just too hard with half power on that fin? Anyway, his fins started retreating to being sad again, and I stopped dosing the tank. I'm willing to try more but I just don't know anymore if it's too stressful on him.

He currently is in a 5g since he doesn't really move much anyway, it's got caves and stacks of smooth rocks at varying levels for him to rest on, plants that float around and are dense enough for him to lay on, a betta leaf hammock right at the surface, and his small floating betta log where he spends almost all his time. There's also almond leaf in there. He is eager to eat and will come out and swim around a bit for food or when I come up to the tank. He does and can swim. Otherwise he is not moving 90% of the time, to my knowledge.

I've come very close to euthanizing him before because I think, what life is it for a fish who doesn't swim? But then I see that he comes out of hiding easy enough, eats vigorously, he has no other signs of disease (clear eyes, smooth scales with no discolouration, etc), and I'm like... Well he's a fish maybe he doesn't know the difference and this will just be life.

I would really appreciate a ton of input here since I can't make this decision lightly. If he is physically disabled and not diseased, he could live a long life like this because I would keep him. If a lot of much more experienced people than me say to euthanize him, well, there's always another betta in need waiting in line for the tank (note, I do not "rescue" betta from pet stores).

Thank you so much in advance for assistance on this, I've been considering this post for a while... I really appreciate any input from those more experienced with betta than I am!

 

Hi califus,

So sorry that you are having this delima! I guess it comes down to what you are willing to live with. Personally, I only ever euthanize when there is no hope of survival. I had an injured betta that lived for two and a half years that required special attention, but I was willing to deal with all of the adjustments that I had to make in order to make him comfortable. If he is responsive, and eating, and not suffering, I would work with him. My current betta spends a ton of time in his floating log, and just being lazy. Again, just my opinion, for what it's worth...

Whatever you decide to do, it will be the right thing. You rescued him, and have given him a good little life when he would have been gone by now had you not intervened.

Hope this helps a little!

 

First of all, there's kind of a lot of info missing here. And I apologize if this was already answered on another thread you posted about it, I'm not up to date on your situation. Did you cycle the tank beforehand? How long have you had him? What are the exact water parameters and what are you using to test? How often are you doing water changes, how much, and are you temp matching the water?

Just trying to help figure out what's wrong with him, but to directly answer your question, no I would not euthanize. If he is still eating and coherent then I don't see a need to. Provide him plenty of areas close to the surface of the water and let him do his thing. Some bettas are just straight up lazy and don't move much regardless of how you set the tank up. Some are very active and inquisitive. Unless he has dropsy or columnaris, I wouldn't even consider euthanizing. If he is unable to eat that would be a different story. When my betta was old old and barely able to see or move anymore, I put a netted breeder box in his tank with live plants and he chilled in there during his last few months with me. So if it gets to that point where your betta can barely move or swim, that's always a good option IMO.

 

I wouldn’t euthanize him because he’s still eating and somewhat swimming

 

Do you know approximately how long the person you rescued him from had him? Just to get an idea of how old his. He could just be an old guy. That in and of itself might make him more vulnerable to disease/infection.
Also do you happen to use stress guard or paraguard by Seachem? The stress guard is mildly antiseptic and might help with his fins.
If you are willing to do the extra tlc with him then see no reason to euthanize. And since you did rescue him: everyday is an extra day to lurk in his betta log that he wouldn’t have had otherwise.

 

Dont euthanize him if he is still swimming and eating. If he isnt suffering there is no need to kill him. I watch a youtube channel where they rescued a betta that was blind. He ended up being their mascot and they loved him.

 

I would usually not euthanize if the fish was still eating. If the fish had nasty sours or somthing, maybe.

 

Thanks everyone.
Also to be clear he can swim but he does get dragged down and has to fight against it to get back up and I just saw him do a little doot across the bottom of the tank before he went up to his log.

It sounds resounding yes I should keep him! Perhaps I'll continue to troubleshoot.

To answer one's questions sorry I didn't include the standard stuff -
5g tank, temp 26C, pH right about 7, ammonia 0,nitrite 0,nitrate usually zero sometimes 5ppm max. Tank is cycled. Weekly water changes now that he's settled, obviously previously with medications and such he had water changes anywhere from every day to every other day etc. His environment has changed a few times as I was troubleshooting, like he had driftwood and plants only then I took the driftwood away, I changed out and disinfected the whole tank at least once and built it back from scratch (you never know!). I do give his Stressguard with his weekly water changes and he has a bit of almond leaf in there, I'm playing with the amount. I rescued him from people who'd only had him a week from the local probably terrible pet store. So I have no reason to think he's old. They were keeping him in ice cold water from their water cooler. I think I got him around August or Sept and he absolutely declined here with me which hurts my heart. His fins were better, he swam normally, was very fiesty. No clue how a properly set up tank broke him - although I did have to do a "fish in" cycle with him as it wasn't planned to snatch him up. I used Stability throughout and no readings every got out of control.

The only two things I know of that are available to me and I haven't tried are Melafix and Kordon Rapid Cure. I also did not continue doing saltbaths to him but I could see if this or dosing his tank with epsom salts longer term could help? Thoughts?

I have another betta who's fins were confounding me and eventually I took ALL hardscape away from him and am working on the most intensely planted tank I own loll. His fins started improving.

I personally am very skeptical about the artificial decor. I've never really used it except for these guys to have something smooth. Scylla, my lil disabled guy, has two fake rock caves and his betta log. Last time I took the betta log out to give it a rinse/wipe, I felt it had lost some colouring in the inside.

So I am very tempted to remake his tank again, no artificial decor (find some other way to make him comfortable resting places) and just stay the way.... Or do the other two meds and then redo his tank. I feel like since he hasn't gotten worse, medication might be pointless, or maybe I just didn't use enough but I'd assume declining health!

Hope I answered everything I appreciate it I won't euthanize him and I'm actually relieved that's the feeling of the group.

If anyone has ideas on natural ways to make him the most comfortable or if I should bother any other meds pleeaaase let me know!

 

You bring up a good point about the decor. I’ve ditched some decor over time because of concerns about paint/chemical leaching.
Clear plastic-dip is something people use to basically seal things when in doubt. I never went that route myself. Think you’re on the right track considering plants instead. If I were to do a betta tank again I’d do a dwarf lily: so many places to lounge and lurk! You’re guy sounds like he likes to do both. Lol.

 

Melafix typically does more harm that good, so I wouldn't try it.
Disabled bettas are sometimes the best bettas

 

Hey you mentioned having another betta with fin issues: and you are doing all the things you want to be doing for your fish. Are you on municipal or well water? Either way have you ever tested for kh and gh? Or done a 24 hour ph test: let water sit out and test (poor man/woman’s tds test). It’s why I won’t keep bettas here again with our well water. Not saying this is what your dealing with: but it was like water changes made my fish’s fins worse not better. If your ph out of tap and tank differ a lot this might be a contributing factor.

 

Hey you mentioned having another betta with fin issues: and you are doing all the things you want to be doing for your fish. Are you on municipal or well water? Either way have you ever tested for kh and gh? Or done a 24 hour ph test: let water sit out and test (poor man/woman’s tds test). It’s why I won’t keep bettas here again with our well water. Not saying this is what your dealing with: but it was like water changes made my fish’s fins worse not better. If your ph out of tap and tank differ a lot this might be a contributing factor.

Yeah, we've had a lot of water adventures. We live out in the country on a well but I've never used that water because it has fluctuating nitrates sometimes even toxic for humans. I used RO water for a long time including at the beginning with these guys. I do have kH and gH tests they were also testing within ideal range. However I've decided to switch back to city water - that's what they're all raised on and it remains completely steady without me having to worry about slipping up in minerals or what have you, and at least I've got some stability. I've done bucket tests in the past and I also own a TDS meter, the water is certainly a little basic for betta (7 or 7.5) but it shouldn't be enough to cause any major issues...

My other betta is recovering nicely. He is on the same water but I removed all hardscape of any kind. Unfortunately for me troubleshooting, I was able to finally raise his temp from 25c to 26c at the same time so the extra degree may have been what he needed - I'm not sure. I also have a female betta with absolutely glorious fins that are in great shape and haven't caused me problems. It's so very frustrating to work with so many variables!! It's "fish day" (ie. tank maintenance day) tomorrow - I'll test the kH and gH and all of that. Our city water has notoriously high hardness, so that's what I'm working with also. I've kept fish for 8 or so years in the tap water, never bettas though.

Who ever said betta fish were hardy?! Lol

 

Oh wow! No wonder you’re like: fish what is wrong? I give you all this tlc and look at all this fish and water gear I have so as not to carelessly kill you. Please be happy and healthy!!!
At least you have the option to switch back to managed water. My poor woman’s RO was a Brita filter which helped but is why I won’t betta fish again. The goldfish don’t bat a lidless eye with water changes thank goodness!
Best of luck!
Ps: even if he gives you fishy stink eye for taking his log and other decor out it’s probably the next best process of elimination/troubleshooting thing to do.

 

Hi all,
califus take some photos for your own memory.
Feed the guy some mosquitoe larvae or other live foods just to give him a special time. I think you know he’s probably on his way out?

Culling out a sick fish or indeed a few hundred healthy fry from a group of 500 when you can’t possibly provide space for all the fry is never an easy job. When the time comes for your fish you will know? Perhaps get someone else to do the job when the time comes?

Sometimes this hobby is just plan tough.


A snapshot of a hundred or so blue acara from 3 spawnings a few weeks apart. Each spawning was over 300 fry. Some were eaten by the older brothers and sisters. Some went out with the rubbish. Some were given to local club members. Some are still spread out in tanks some have been raised big enough to give to local shops. Some have been taken up to 300 km to far away shops.


And the middle spawning.


Some of the first spawning that have not gone to the shops and I can’t take to auction as we are in lockdown.
Chin up, you are not on your own.

 

I would continue to add some aquarium salt to the tank for a couple of weeks. Don't add epsom salt to the tank; I only use that for baths when the betta is bloated.

Real plants are great. And I also removed most of the decor from my tanks as well. Terra cotta pots work nicely, and I do have a floating betta log that doesn't seem to be a problem.

I do hope he gets better!!!!!

 

Hi, I agree, he is still eating and as long as he is energetic about that I’d keep him. Seachem Stress guard can be dosed daily until the fins look better or you can use 1tsp per gallon aquarium salt (or sea salt or any non-iodized salt). Its a small amount and can be used for a bit while his fins hopefully heal. Just make sure to replace it with water changes, i.e. gallon out and new gallon in, then new tsp of salt (dissolved first) back in. Salt is only removed with water changes.
I agree not to use epsom in the tank.

Honestly if he’s happy in his log, I’d leave it.

 

So.... I may have went way overboard and gotten a 12 gallon shallow/long for him now that I've decided to keep giving him the best life possible. I went to the store looking for a longer shorter tank - eg Seapora 5B which I thought was a shallow/long 5gal but it's actually a 2.3 for $55. Anyways it's a long process that went from not wanting to spend $55 on a lidless 2.3gal tank and landed me getting a 12gL long for $140. It's also lidless/rimless and obviously I'll need a lid so I'll have to track down a glass top / get one custom made. Yikes. But it's just so pretty. If anyone has suggestions on how to get a solid glass lid for a rimless tank that looks good and is sturdy, please let me know!

The footprint on it is amazing I'm so in awe. This tank is massively oversized for my little broken Scylla (that's his name) who barely toots around. But some part of me wonders if he had the space and I tried to make a true Blackwater/natural betta environment, shallow enough for him to have a ton of levels... Maybe he'd improve? Maybe I could have some shrimp since he's probably not fast enough to catch them! If he doesn't ever use the tank, I've got 2 other betta, and plenty of dither fish that would not mind that space.


I do have a question about the AQ salt. I understand the "take out a gallon, replace a gallon with the 1tsp per gallon" but when the water evaporates throughout the week, wouldnt the salt remain in the tank and therefore the salt content go up over time, especially adding more salt with each change? Or am I missing something with that?

Thanks y'all!!! I also tested everyone's pH, kH, gH, which I haven't done in a while once things were steady, and his tank is off. Really high gH and slightly higher pH, whereas all other tanks are only a little harder than the "true tap" and I can't figure why, other than he has false decor. I have to sort that out. He has almond leaves and shouldn't in theory have this big swing but that may be moot if I get a giant new tank for him lol

II tend you ramble. Bless this community for all the help!!

 

Wow, would love to see pics once you get that 12 long set up! Sounds great!!!

Yes, the salt will remain with evaporation, but if you are doing those small, frequent water changes, I would think that the evaporation would not be an issue. When I use salt, I usually am doing some sort of small water change every other day.

If you are concerned, just use a bit less aquarium salt then is recommended, and then you can't go wrong.

I am so excited for you, and for Scylla! And there are a lot of good threads here about blackwater tanks, too, if you aren't already following any.

Good luck!

 

Wow, would love to see pics once you get that 12 long set up! Sounds great!!!

Yes, the salt will remain with evaporation, but if you are doing those small, frequent water changes, I would think that the evaporation would not be an issue. When I use salt, I usually am doing some sort of small water change every other day.

If you are concerned, just use a bit less aquarium salt then is recommended, and then you can't go wrong.

I am so excited for you, and for Scylla! And there are a lot of good threads here about blackwater tanks, too, if you aren't already following any.

Good luck!

Thanks! It will be a while yet. Although I have quite a lot of substrates and random hardscape items around the house I want to try to do it right and try to be as environmentally accurate to a southeast asian stream with plants and whatnot. Or at least to look good. I'm not the world's best aquascaper that's for sure! But I'll try to remember to come back and send pics

 

Thanks! It will be a while yet. Although I have quite a lot of substrates and random hardscape items around the house I want to try to do it right and try to be as environmentally accurate to a southeast asian stream with plants and whatnot. Or at least to look good. I'm not the world's best aquascaper that's for sure! But I'll try to remember to come back and send pics

Glad you decided to give him the best life! I have a physically disabled cory cat (Banana), with mild brain damage and the same (odd) fin problem. Disabled fish can thrive and have a good quailty of life too!

Melafix typically does more harm that good, so I wouldn't try it.
Disabled bettas are sometimes the best bettas

It's kind of interesting, some types of tank setups work well with Melafix, and it also depends on the stocking. My tanks have never had a problem personally. I think it's a good discussion subject


Doesn't mean I recommend it, though.