HI everyone! So we have been struggling with our older (2yr) betta for over a month now. We have had him over a year and at time of purchase he was gray with some fin Got. Our 5 gallon tank with filter and heater was cycled and rubbing a couple months prior to purchase. A month ago we got a nernite snail, two weeks later Carl fell quite ill. Fins slightly ragged but mainly sinking at bottom. We removed the snail over the next couple of weeks he became shocky white. Naturally he is all silver with red fins and age spots on his head so his body didn't change much color but fins became pale as well with heavy breathing and on bottom of tank. For the past month we have done 25% daily water changes he has been treated for parasites w/ metronidazole/prazquiantal powder, no change, baytril baths extended course (7days) no change, betafix 7 day treatment no change (tea tree oil) no change, melafix (different oil) no change (did 5 days a different time), did the fasting in case swim bladder and pea (no change), general cure no change. We have given him a couple days between the fungal and bacterial treatments. Somehow I also most my cyce and for 21 days straight my water is as follows ammonia 0.25 nitrate 0 nitrites 0 PH 7.2 and water temp maintained at 78. Water is treated with prime diet is pellets and frozen blood worms occasional brine shrimp. Have never over fed but not sure if anyone has any other ideas. My aquatics vet is also unsure why he isn't responding to any treatment, with the expectation of he did stop eating for a few days but with stress guard he improved and he eats but you have to sink the food to him, he finds it with assistance and readily eats but waits for it to fall. He occasionally swims up for air but rare. In his tank he has a floating moss ball, three small moss balls, a cave, air stone, heater, theometer, 1 live plant, 1 silk plant, and his filter is a bubbler foam filter (forgot the name). I know he is older but I have had Betas up to 5 before, and this guy came sick and immicated but after 6 weeks was back to perfect heath and now almost a year later is emmicated terrible and just so lethargic. Any suggestions or thoughts, or how my tank seem to loose his cycle since I get zeros across the board almost I would greatly appreciate it.
Sick Old Betta
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I have no idea what might be going on with your betta with everything you trying not working but since he is in a vulnerable state maybe try removing the airstone as the current can cause stress preventing recovery. Plus the frequent water changes means it isn't adding much value.
Because he isn't swimming up for air himself often, if you see him breathing heavy you could look into making the water level more shallow. I don't have personal experience with this so that is why I suggested looking into it before trying it.
As for your cycle did you remove filter media? And did you use the bottled BB with your water changes?
Because he isn't swimming up for air himself often, if you see him breathing heavy you could look into making the water level more shallow. I don't have personal experience with this so that is why I suggested looking into it before trying it.
As for your cycle did you remove filter media? And did you use the bottled BB with your water changes?
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Never removed the filter media, as for the air stone we have it on a low setting to not cause current but bring more oxygen to the bottom of the tank since he is to week to swim up, I can shut that off a few days see if it helps, we dropped the water level so it's st 7-8 inches height vs 12". I noticed him getting holes in his fins vs them eroding away at the end, I'm worried he has sepcemia or something because I can't get the ammonia down to zero even with the daily changes. If this gradual I would chalk it to old age but it happened so fast. I also don't think getting another tank and waiting for it to cycle would help for how long it takes. He is just on his side today at the bottom again so I'm starting another course of baytril baths since he looks so terrible. No idea if it will help.
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I don't know what's going on with your fish, but 2 is definitely not old. Its not even really oldER as Bettas can live 5-7 years. But, I think fish can get sick just like people, and since it can't really communicate with you, and youve tried so much with little to no effect, it could be a terminal illness. Wish I could be more help, Ive read your post a few times hoping I missed something but I don't have any ideas right now.
Sounds like you have done everything all ready to aid in his recovery. I'm not an expert, but holes in the fins sounds like parasites. You have already treated your water numerous time so not sure what else you can do. Could you put a mirror by his tank so he sees himself, maybe he will get aggressive toward the and get his blood flowing? Not sure if it would help but might if he is lethargic hanging around at the bottom of the tank.
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Sorry don't really know what's up with your betta a picture would help. What size tank is he in? Heated? Tankmates? Bettafix and melafix are a controversial medicine that contains tree oil that could coat your bettas labyrinth organ and could kill your betta. I suggest a 50% water change to get it out of there
I've done 50% per cent before but the daily 25% seems to keep his water parameters better, tank size 5 gallon all is listed above. I've spoke to an aquatics specialist they have never heard of the oils coating their labrythith organ unless your highly over dosing but he did say the tea tree (betafix) is better than melafix as some don't tolerate it as well. I did turn the air stone off for now. Everyone is kind of at a loss and we are going to give him a few more days next step is the hail Mary steroid shot, but it's just so odd it happened so quick and a week after the snails :-(
Random Great Topic!
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