Rescue Betta, Help Please :(

The other day I went to a little pet store just to buy a heater and stuff, there was an extremely decrepit and dying betta on the shelf. I took him home because it was so disgusting the conditions he wa in.
His color got better, but I have hardly seen him swim, and I’ve never seen him go up to the top and he’s been with me for 4 day. Constantly on the bottom, I’m thinking it’s a swim bladder issue??
I tried feed him a frozen blood worm just to see if he was interested in food , he moved his eyes and looked at it but didn’t try to eat it. Online they said a frozen sweat pea for swim bladder but he wouldn’t eat it either. This was on the 3 day about. Haven’t seen him eat anything.
I can’t tell if he’s produced any waste because it was an established tank with mulm already that Ive put him in.
Today I think Is day 4. He was just laying down completely on his side breathing hard but I looked he’s upright again.
When do I know if I need to euthanize..I hate to say but he looks pretty bad. I feel horrible.
I’ll keep you guys updated on his condition. Any advice would be greatly appreciated

 

He hasn’t eaten anything?? Not even regular fish food? Yes, frozen peas, are great for bettas, any other specs, I should know? Fanatic is an excellent betta keeper, he should be able to help. What do you say Fanatic ?

 

He hasn’t eaten anything?? Not even regular fish food? Yes, frozen peas, are great for bettas, any other specs, I should know? Fanatic is an excellent betta keeper, he should be able to help. What do you say Fanatic ?

Nope , he’s eaten nothing

 

That’s so sad, I would honestly sadly recommend euthanizing him, it is always so sad, when I have to tell people this, but don’t do it NOW wait until Fanatic responds. :/

 

It's not uncommon for new betta, especially one purchased out of severe conditions, to pass up eating as they are stressed and don't have a good appetite.

I personally would recommend offering more places for him to hide and rest his fins on, as bettas need this or else they will hang around the bottom, especially for this one as he's weaker than a normal betta.
Do a water change to get rid of all of the waste off of the bottom, that will definitely help him as clean water is the first route of treatment for any fish, ensure the new water is very close in temperature to the tank water.

I detect no obvious problem with the swim bladder, as a betta that cannot control it would either be trapped listing at the top or bottom, it depends in what way the swim bladder is failing.

My personal advice for now would be to:

1. Keep the water warm, preferrably 79-82F.
2. Do frequent water changes.
3. Hold off on feeding, if he doesn't eat now then he may later.

 

It's not uncommon for new betta, especially one purchased out of severe conditions, to pass up eating as they are stressed and don't have a good appetite.

I personally would recommend offering more places for him to hide and rest his fins on, as bettas need this or else they will hang around the bottom, especially for this one as he's weaker than a normal betta.
Do a water change to get rid of all of the waste off of the bottom, that will definitely help him as clean water is the first route of treatment for any fish, ensure the new water is very close in temperature to the tank water.

I detect no obvious problem with the swim bladder, as a betta that cannot control it would either be trapped listing at the top or bottom, it depends in what way the swim bladder is failing.

My personal advice for now would be to:

1. Keep the water warm, preferrably 79-82F.
2. Do frequent water changes.
3. Hold off on feeding, if he doesn't eat now then he may later.

I do think it’s a swim bladder problem because I’ve yet to see him swim up.. not even for air. I’ve been doing waterchanges but it’s hard to get all the mulm out without draining the tank all the way. It’s a 2.5 gallon since it’s the only thing I had on hand and I only have a large syphon

 

I see, well.....all you can do now is pray, the tank it’s self if fine, just type syphone is to big?? That happened to my tank once, it had to large of syphone, and it literally drained my hole tank! Any more questions?.....:/

 

I do think it’s a swim bladder problem because I’ve yet to see him swim up.. not even for air. I’ve been doing waterchanges but it’s hard to get all the mulm out without draining the tank all the way. It’s a 2.5 gallon since it’s the only thing I had on hand and I only have a large syphon

Is he swimming around near the bottom? Swim bladder usually comes with listing because the fish can’t keep upright.

 

Is he swimming around near the bottom? Swim bladder usually comes with listing because the fish can’t keep upright.

I’m not sure what listing is but, he swims hardly. Mostly stays still and the only reason I know he’s alive is I see his gills move. I come back to the tank sometimes and he’s on the other side though.edit: he’s currently laying completely on his side

I see, well.....all you can do now is pray, the tank it’s self if fine, just type syphone is to big?? That happened to my tank once, it had to large of syphone, and it literally drained my hole tank! Any more questions?.....:/

Syphon is way to big and I have the tank drained already about halfway Incase he has to go up for air, it’s less work for him. I’ve just been adding in water and taking out water with cups

 

Good, I’m afraid that is all you can do....for your little guy.....


That is a good idea, to get less water in the tank, you don’t nessisaraly need to syphone ever time, but just take a few cups out, and then put more in, is his heater still running? Picture please.

 

I would do a water change and keep his heater running. If worst comes worst he may pass away, but if you need to euthanize him, put him in a cup of tank water and put him in the freezer. he won't suffer. He will just fall to sleep.

 

I would do a water change and keep his heater running. If worst comes worst he may pass away, but if you need to euthanize him, put him in a cup of tank water and put him in the freezer. he won't suffer. He will just fall to sleep.

Unfortunately, this is not the most humane way of euthanizing a fish, using clove oil emulsion to put them to sleep is a much better alternative.

 

If its a swim bladder issue he would be having trouble keeping himself upright or he would just float. If its still day 5 since when you got him (if I understood properly) then I suggest that you wait a bit more. Does he have any plants or decorations?

 

Yes, MidnightBettas , has a point, do you have some soft plants, or like a betta hammock you could put in there? That way, he can get a breathe, without having to go up to the surface every time!!

 

If its a swim bladder issue he would be having trouble keeping himself upright or he would just float. If its still day 5 since when you got him (if I understood properly) then I suggest that you wait a bit more. Does he have any plants or decorations?

He does seem to have trouble staying upright on the tank bottom, he flops over and lays down sometimes. I have some moss on there on a floating fake plant.. I don’t have a light on the tank but I’ll throw some java fern in there when I get home. I should’ve done that on day one. It’s either day 4-5 since I got him.. I believe 5. Only improvement has been in his coloring. He’s extremely skinny and I’m scared he’s going to starve himself .

I put a little fern in, I hope he bounces back to health

 

I hope he does to!! Make shure to keep us posted!

 

I hope he does to!! Make shure to keep us posted!

he has a fungul infection I’m just starting to notice , or he’s devolping it.. treating with salt and I’m going to the pet store to get some fungus treatment

 

Good, it seems you are doing all you can for him!! Keep us posted!!

 

Unfortunately this morning I woke up and the betta had passed. I feel so bad he suffered for as long as he did. Thank you so everyone trying to help out I really appreciate it

 

Your definitely welcome, I’m so sorry for your loss......you gave him a better life, than dieing on a cup, on a Walmart shelf, or getting bought by a 2 year old, and end up dieing, because the kid “Wanted to snuggle with it.”

I’m sorry, just trying to cheer you up......

 

Unfortunately this morning I woke up and the betta had passed. I feel so bad he suffered for as long as he did. Thank you so everyone trying to help out I really appreciate it

I just lost my betta and he was suffering aswell, I feel so awful to not doing something sooner but just know that only angels can swim

 

My betta is floating sideways and stays at the bottom of his hospital tank. He does have severe fin rot. Along side water changes, i've tried Erythromycine and it does not seem to be working at all. Should I euthanize him? What are my options? The waters at 78 degrees

 

Chad Funkhouser any pictures?