5 Gallon Tank -URGENT!- rescue betta laying on his side gasping

[Cowardlyslimeball]

So I rescued a betta last week, as some of you know.
He started off with fin rot, white eye, and he got ich a couple days in.
I've been treating him with Sentry coppersafe (for ich) and non-iodized table salt for fin rot ect.
I've also been doind daily 30% water changes, the tank is seeded with media from my 40gal.
I don't know the parameters, because I do t have any test strips at the moment. (I'm getting it tested possibly today at the pet store)
Last night, he was active, his fin rot was not going away, the ich fell off so I raised the temp with the temperature 4°F water bottles, but he was fine otherwise.
This morning, he's laying on the bottom sideways gasping.
HELP!!
I'm really worried as I bonded with him pretty early on since he was doing so well.
I have to go to Mass at 10:30, so I don't have much time.
Please help!

 

[Bettamay]

Is he moving? Is the filter strong?
If he isn’t, most probably a fungal/bacterial infection.

 

[Cowardlyslimeball]

Is he moving? Is the filter strong?

He moves around a little, tiny jerks like he's trying to get up.
The filter is a HOB with adjustable flow rate, but it's still a little strong. I'll turn it off and see if that helps?

 

[Lilthuglet]

Do you have an airstone? Whilst a higher temp speeds up the Ich development making it easier to kill it all together, it tends to cause lower O2 levels.

Can you do a water change? I know you're doing regular ones but it's almost never a bad idea and if you blast the tap into a bucket, then dechlorinate the water before pouring it in you can get a load of O2 in.

 

[Cowardlyslimeball]

Do you have an airstone? Whilst a higher temp speeds up the Ich development making it easier to kill it all together, it tends to cause lower O2 levels.

Can you do a water change? I know you're doing regular ones but it's almost never a bad idea and if you blast the tap into a bucket, then dechlorinate the water before pouring it in you can get a load of O2 in.

I can definitely do a water change and yes I have an airstone I could use.
I have well water, but I also have dechlorinator if it does anything more than dechlorinate.

 

[Lilthuglet]

You only need dechlorinator if there's chlorine in your water

I'd pop the airstone in on gentle and do a water change first order.

Maybe an aquarium salt water bath? You don't want to stress him any more than you have to though.

 

[Bettamay]

Wait, so what is the water temperature?

 

[Cowardlyslimeball]

You only need dechlorinator if there's chlorine in your water

I'd pop the airstone in on gentle and do a water change first order.

Maybe an aquarium salt water bath? You don't want to stress him any more than you have to though.

Okay, I'm halfway through the water change.
I can put the airstone at the top so it doesn't disturb him because it's pretty strong.
How do you do the bath? I don't want to stress him out any more but it could be necessary.

Wait, so what is the water temperature?

The temperature is usually at 80°F, but I raised it 4° for about 3 hours. I kind of regret doing that!

 

[Lilthuglet]

Salt water bath needs aquarium salt, you get a bowl, fill it with tank water and dissolve the recommended amount of salt for theraputic use in it. Then gently net the fish and pop it in the bowl for 10 mins or so. When you're done, net the fish again and pop him back. (Don't pour the water back into the tank).

You can use epsom salts or iodine free table salt, but they don't come with quantity instructions and you need to be absolutely sure they don't have anti-caking agents or additives in so for the sake of a couple of quid and a trip to the LFS I'd always go for aquarium salt.

 

[Cowardlyslimeball]

Should I get any medications in town when I go? I have to leave like right now.
If it's a bacterial infection, what do I do?
The bubble filter is on, and I did a 30% water change.
Should I add the salt and ich medicine again?

 

[Lilthuglet]

I've been told good things about API General Cure, I don't know what's available in Canada, I know you can get antibiotics pretty easily in the US.

Over in the UK you need a vet to get them so we usually use the copper based blue treatments that say anti-bacterial or anti-fungal on them. FYI - snails and shrimp are SUPER sensitive to copper so if you have any in with him they'll need a new home whilst you treat him.

I'd get the salt too. Best of luck.

 

[Cowardlyslimeball]

Salt water bath needs aquarium salt, you get a bowl, fill it with tank water and dissolve the recommended amount of salt for theraputic use in it. Then gently net the fish and pop it in the bowl for 10 mins or so. When you're done, net the fish again and pop him back. (Don't pour the water back into the tank).

You can use epsom salts or iodine free table salt, but they don't come with quantity instructions and you need to be absolutely sure they don't have anti-caking agents or additives in so for the sake of a couple of quid and a trip to the LFS I'd always go for aquarium salt.

Okay, I can do that. He moved (i didn't see it though) into a declaration and is still gasping and not moving.
I have to go now, is there anything I should do last minute?

I've been told good things about API General Cure, I don't know what's available in Canada, I know you can get antibiotics pretty easily in the US.

Over in the UK you need a vet to get them so we usually use the copper based blue treatments that say anti-bacterial or anti-fungal on them. FYI - snails and shrimp are SUPER sensitive to copper so if you have any in with him they'll need a new home whilst you treat him.

I'd get the salt too. Best of luck.

I could probably find some.
He's Alone in his tank btw, so we're safe there. He's just laying there! I'm so worried ;-;

I've been told good things about API General Cure, I don't know what's available in Canada, I know you can get antibiotics pretty easily in the US.

Over in the UK you need a vet to get them so we usually use the copper based blue treatments that say anti-bacterial or anti-fungal on them. FYI - snails and shrimp are SUPER sensitive to copper so if you have any in with him they'll need a new home whilst you treat him.

I'd get the salt too. Best of luck.

I could probably find some.
He's Alone in his tank btw, so we're safe there. He's just laying there! I'm so worried ;-;

 

[AvalancheDave]

I wonder if it's the copper...copper is tricky to use safely.

 

[Cowardlyslimeball]

I wonder if it's the copper...copper is tricky to use safely.

You think so? I've been using the suggested doses as accurately as I can, but I can't be sure..

Salt water bath needs aquarium salt, you get a bowl, fill it with tank water and dissolve the recommended amount of salt for theraputic use in it. Then gently net the fish and pop it in the bowl for 10 mins or so. When you're done, net the fish again and pop him back. (Don't pour the water back into the tank).

You can use epsom salts or iodine free table salt, but they don't come with quantity instructions and you need to be absolutely sure they don't have anti-caking agents or additives in so for the sake of a couple of quid and a trip to the LFS I'd always go for aquarium salt.

I'm back and I got the salt!
I took one look at the antibiotics prices and remembered that I'm just a poor high school student, so I'll do the best I can with what I have.
He's still alive, and trying to move around a bit more, he even struggled to the top to get some air!
I put a tablespoon of salt In The tank, since I didn't want to stress him out by moving him for a salt bath.
There's definitely something wrong though. He kind of floats around, sometimes propelling himself with his fins, but idk. Something's really off.
His ich is still really bad. He also hasn't eaten much since I got him. Should I try to get him to eat?
Since I couldn't get antibiotics, would tetra lifeguard help? It's only for external deseases though..
He's been laying sideways on the ground, occasionally darting up for air. I'm really concerned.
Betta'sAnonymous, can you help?

 

[AvalancheDave]

You think so? I've been using the suggested doses as accurately as I can, but I can't be sure..

Yeah, the safe dosage varies with alkalinity levels.

 

[Cowardlyslimeball]

Yeah, the safe dosage varies with alkalinity levels.

Oh.....shoot. What should I do

 

[Evergreen2]

I hate to pop in like this, but is the ich sitting flat against the fish? Or is it sticking out into the water?

 

[Cowardlyslimeball]

I hate to pop in like this, but is the ich sitting flat against the fish? Or is it sticking out into the water?

Actually, as I look closely, I can't see very many at all! Just a couple on his head. None on fins and enderside that I can see at least.
They were calling off yesterday and going everywhere. They look sort of flat but it's hard to tell.

 

[Evergreen2]

Actually, as I look closely, I can't see very many at all! Just a couple on his head. None on fins and enderside that I can see at least.
They were calling off yesterday and going everywhere. They look sort of flat but it's hard to tell.

Ok, if it's flat then it's indeed Ich and not what I was thinking of.

 

[Cowardlyslimeball]

Ok, if it's flat then it's indeed Ich and not what I was thinking of.

Okay, thanks!

 

[AvalancheDave]

Oh..... shoot. What should I do

Change out the water.

 

[Cowardlyslimeball]

Change out the water.

Okay, all of it?

Change out the water.

I just finished a really gentle 95% water change.
Weird.
He's swimming around almost like nothing happened!
Still a little loopy but how In the world is he so much better?! Do you think it was the coppersafe?

 

[AvalancheDave]

Okay, all of it?

Well, you could do a series of water changes to get most of the copper out.

 

[Fisch]

If it is ich, and the spots disappear please continue with daily water changes to make him feel better and vacuum the tank bottom to clean up any ich offspring.
Does he have anything close to the water surface he can rest on? Like a hammock or a log, so he does not have to work as hard to get to the surface? Good that he feels a bit better!!!

 

[Cowardlyslimeball]

If it is ich, and the spots disappear please continue with daily water changes to make him feel better and vacuum the tank bottom to clean up any ich offspring.
Does he have anything close to the water surface he can rest on? Like a hammock or a log, so he does not have to work as hard to get to the surface? Good that he feels a bit better!!!

Yes, he usually sleeps up at the top inside of a plastic floating plant. I put lots of plastic plants up there for him to rest on. He's doing that now.
I will keep doing daily water changes!
I'm so glad he's looking better.

 

[Cowardlyslimeball]

I spoke too soon :/
I found him dead this morning. Guess who's day is ruined?
At least I tried!

 

[Evergreen2]

Sorry to hear that. It always rough losing a fish. Since he died, I wonder if he had the disease I asked about, Epistylis. It looks like Ich, but it actually the killer that kills fish.

 

[Cowardlyslimeball]

Sorry to hear that. It always rough losing a fish. Since he died, I wonder if he had the disease I asked about, Epistylis. It looks like Ich, but it actually the killer that kills fish.

Yeah I wonder too. It was weird. His fins rotted so fast! When I found them, they were almost gone. It didn't look like he died of ich.

 

[Evergreen2]

Yeah I wonder too. It was weird. His fins rotted so fast! When I found them, they were almost gone. It didn't look like he died of ich.

That's rough. Well look in Epistylis and see if looks like it.

 

[Cowardlyslimeball]

That's rough. Well look in Epistylis and see if looks like it.

Yeah.. I looked it up. Trouble breathing, susceptibility to infection..
Oof. And I was treating him with the recommended treatment for it, too!