What is wrong with my betta?

[sophieydg]

One of my betta's, Kaida, is driving me crazy. All he does is rest. Either in his vase cave, or on the gravel. He's often leaning to the side when he does this.

I moved him into a new tank a month ago (same size, 5g, just nicer looking) and he began acting quite lethargic. So I tested the water and found I had a minI cycle, which I attributed to changing the gravel. So I did water changes every day with prime, until it was gone. It took about two weeks to sort out, but ammonia was never over 0.25.

Since then he's just gotten worse and worse. His parameters are fine, I just tested them, 0,0,5. I change his water twice a week, about 50%. I do this because he's a crowntail with very long scraggly fins that are quite partial to fin rot, so I want to keep his water clean. He doesn't have any physical signs of illness. His temp was at 79, but it's been lowered to 75 for a couple of weeks now. I've tried using IAL to make him more comfortable but it did nothing. I've tried moving things around in his tank in case he was bored but that did nothing either.

About a week ago he was bloated, so I fasted, did the pea thing and it went away. I got some better quality food, and feed him two omega one betta pellets once a day. He has become bloated again, so I'm doing the same.

All I can think of is a swim bladder problem? But he's been acting like this longer than he's been bloated. It's depressing to see him like this, I don't know what's wrong and he can't be happy.

 

[chrisb01]

Some bettas can be quite lazy, they like to lean or lay on top of leaves and/or decorations.

However, keep and eye on him, the boating coming and going could be the beginning stages of dropsy. Keep offering the peas, hopefully he is just prone to constipation.

 

[GuineaPigster]

How old is he?

 

[JoshM]

You seem like you know what you're doing. Like what chrisb said, there are some bettas who are lazy

 

[GuineaPigster]

Bettas are known for being laid-back (better than lazy!) fish. Do you think something is wrong, or are you just noticing?

 

[sophieydg]

I've had him since about June, but I don't know how old he was before then. Got him from a pet shop so I don't imagine he was very old.

I do think something's wrong. From when I first got him he's always been a particularly 'lazy' betta, but this past month he seems pretty unwell.

 

[jileha]

Did you lower the temp after he got unwell? Otherwise, he might prefer warmer water. 75 is rather on the low end.

 

[_Fried_Bettas_]

I would think the cooler water would make him lazier, although I don't have any evidence to support this idea. Change his decor around a little bit, maybe that will spark his curiosity and he will be motivated to move around to investigate.

 

[sophieydg]

I thought that the warmer water might've been making him lazier, lol. I'll try turning it up again.

 

[_Fried_Bettas_]

Seems to me the cooler water would slow down his metabolism, but like I said, it is just a hypothesis.

 

[sophieydg]

I just saw him gobble up a whole baby MTS.. could this be the problem?

 

[junebug]

Well it certainly explains the bloating... lol

He's got a healthy appetite at least!

 

[sophieydg]

Raising the temperature doesn't seem to have done anything.

I think I'll just feed him one pellet from now on lol.

 

[sophieydg]

He's started to breathe heavily when he's lying on the gravel. Still no other physical symptoms. Could it be some sort of internal parasite or something that can't be seen?

 

[_Fried_Bettas_]

He's started to breathe heavily when he's lying on the gravel. Still no other physical symptoms. Could it be some sort of internal parasite or something that can't be seen?

I wish I could had your answer, a few weeks ago. You are describing exactly what happened to Bakunawa. Slowly getting more and more lethargic, Finally spending most of the time laying on the bottom of the tank. No outward visible symptoms, continued to eat normally. I tried the salt treatment, I tried anti-bacterial treatment. In the end nothing worked. I hope you have better luck.

 

[sophieydg]

I wish I could had your answer, a few weeks ago. You are describing exactly what happened to Bakunawa. Slowly getting more and more lethargic, Finally spending most of the time laying on the bottom of the tank. No outward visible symptoms, continued to eat normally. I tried the salt treatment, I tried anti-bacterial treatment. In the end nothing worked. I hope you have better luck.

I'm sorry for your loss How long was your boy unwell for? I don't want to leave him suffering. He's just been getting worse and worse for the past month and I have no idea what to do!

 

[_Fried_Bettas_]

He lasted about a week after he started staying on the bottom having trouble breathing. I felt horrible about it but I kept hoping he would somehow come out of it. The total decline probably started about 6 weeks before.

 

[junebug]

Based on what I've been hearing from betta breeders, this is probably a bacterial infection, it just happens to be a slow moving one. I'd suggest feeding flakes soaked in anti-bacterial meds ASAP. I like Kanamycin, but probably most broad spectrum antibiotics would work the same.

 

[sophieydg]

Based on what I've been hearing from betta breeders, this is probably a bacterial infection, it just happens to be a slow moving one. I'd suggest feeding flakes soaked in anti-bacterial meds ASAP. I like Kanamycin, but probably most broad spectrum antibiotics would work the same.

I just had a look on my LFS's website to see what antibacterials they have, and it was melafix only. I looked on the website that you buy pet supplies from in New Zealand, and it was the same story. Melafix + betta = a no no, right?

 

[junebug]

Melafix won't do anyway (you can use it with bettas as long as you dose very carefully though).

You should be able to find Kanaplex or something like it at a specialty fish store. Something sulfa-based would work too.

 

[sophieydg]

I've never seen it, but I'll have a look soon. Living in a small town in a small country we are really limited with what we can get.

 

[junebug]

Can you order from Amazon? I'm sure they sell something on there.

 

[sophieydg]

I went to my LFS and they didn't have any antibiotics other than melafix.

Ordering from Amazon would take a couple of weeks and it could encounter problems with customs due to it being medicine. Ahhh this is so frustrating

 

[sophieydg]

He has now developed stress lines

Edit: I was just doing some reading up on betta illnesses. I found this site:

It says down the bottom, "A curious fish exploring a too small crevice may accidentally wedge themselves in, causing injury to the swim bladder even if they escape"

About a month before he began acting unwell, Kaida got himself stuck under a rock. I managed to get him out in time and he seemed okay, bar some damaged scales. Could this be the problem? The symptoms seem to match and it's all I can think of.

 

[Lilibeth_Seasong]

Hmmm could be. I am very sorry your boy is unwell. It is no fun when our finned babies get sick.

Sorry I don't have anymore advice.

 

[sophieydg]

Hmmm could be. I am very sorry your boy is unwell. It is no fun when our finned babies get sick.

Sorry I don't have anymore advice.

Thank you, and yeah it does suck.

 

[sophieydg]

I can't tell for sure, but it looks to me like his scales are starting to go a bit pinecone-y

 

[Graphix]

well one of my bettas actually started getting pineconey, of course I didn't know at the time what it was, but after learning on here I gave it a bit of the inside of a pea but didn't notice much. Although I believe it may have done the trick as he is fine now. He's very healthy and is currently in a 25 gal tank(temporarily XD) swimming and enjoying the space

 

[junebug]

I'm so sorry, sophie

I really hope he recovers.

 

[sophieydg]

At what point does euthanasia become the best option? He hasn't been able to be a fish for over a month now. He can barely swim I've tried countless peas, I think his swim bladder is well damaged. I don't want him to be suffering but I don't want to miss out on the chance of him getting better either!

 

[sophieydg]

He didn't come up to eat today, which is the first time that's happened

 

[junebug]

Are his scales still pineconed?

 

[sophieydg]

They were yesterday but I haven't been able to see him today. He refuses to come out of his cave now I only know he's alive because he just darted out for air but it was too quick for me to tell.

He's definitely getting worse.

Edit: I just saw him properly, yeah they're still pineconed

Edit number two: He's got a couple of spots along his back where it looks like his scales have come off

 

[endlercollector]

So sorry to hear about his suffering!

 

[sophieydg]

Just went out and bought some clove oil. I'm still not sure if it's the right thing to do though.

 

[Graphix]

ouch... I think you should give him a chance still. You know fish don't feel the same pain as us? Their nervous systems are different and I think there was a study that determined that they have reaction to things that harm their well-being but they don't technically feel the same pain that we do. Just something to think about.

I would wait a bit but it's your choice, if you don't like seeing him like this

 

[sophieydg]

How can a fish who has come to spend all of his time resting on the gravel or in his cave not be suffering? :/

He's been like this for a month.

 

[endlercollector]

ouch... I think you should give him a chance still. You know fish don't feel the same pain as us? Their nervous systems are different and I think there was a study that determined that they have reaction to things that harm their well-being but they don't technically feel the same pain that we do. Just something to think about.

I would wait a bit but it's your choice, if you don't like seeing him like this

Not the same but still overwhelming to them. It might seem like a few days of suffering to us, but it's a much greater percentage of their lives. Do they remember what it was like not to be sick? Do they imagine a healthy future and are willing to suffer in order to get there? We have no idea and imposing our own inability to feel their pain is unjustifiable.

 

[_Fried_Bettas_]

Not the same but still overwhelming to them. It might seem like a few days of suffering to us, but it's a much greater percentage of their lives. Do they remember what it was like not to be sick? Do they imagine a healthy future and are willing to suffer in order to get there? We have no idea and imposing our own inability to feel their pain is unjustifiable.

Yes, pain and distress are two different things.

 

[sophieydg]

So do you guys think euthanasia is the best? It would break my heart but my gut tells me it's the right thing to do. He's very clearly not getting better.

 

[endlercollector]

Go with your gut instinct. You've been there for him every step of the way, and you know better than anyone here.

 

[endlercollector]

A song for your boy and you: Lavender Diamond's Thank You

 

[sophieydg]

Aww, thank you endlercollector <3

I decided to euthanise Kaida today. It was hard but he's been so unwell and I'm happy he's not suffering anymore.

Thank you all for you help

 

[Lucas35]

I am going to get my first Betta fish soon. I know someone who keeps a Betta in a 5 gallon tank but it has no filter or heater. He said I could have it. I can get it as soon as I want but I need to get a tank cycled first. I have a picture and I can tell that it has some kind of disease. It looks like graphite disease but that only affects blue Bettas and is deadly within 24-48 hours. Maybe it is very bad fin rot? What is it? Should I take him now or leave him until I have a cycled tank? I can only keep him in a non-cycled tank right now until a tank is finished cycling. Should I do that so I can treat him or let my friend keep him until the tank is ready?

Tank

What is the water volume of the tank? 5 gallons
How long has the tank been running?
Does it have a filter? No
Does it have a heater? No
What is the water temperature?
What is the entire stocking of this tank? (Please list all fish and inverts.) just the Betta

Maintenance

How often do you change the water? Every few MONTHS.
How much of the water do you change?
What do you use to treat your water?
Do you vacuum the substrate or just the water?

*Parameters - Very Important

Did you cycle your tank before adding fish? No
What do you use to test the water?
What are your parameters? We need to know the exact numbers, not just “fine” or “safe”.

Ammonia:
Nitrite:
Nitrate:
pH:

Feeding

How often do you feed your fish?
How much do you feed your fish?
What brand of food do you feed your fish?
Do you feed frozen or freeze-dried foods?

Illness & Symptoms

How long have you had this fish?
How long ago did you first notice these symptoms?
In a few words, can you explain the symptoms? Lots of fins gone, what's left of the back fins it totally black.
Have you started any treatment for the illness? No
Was your fish physically ill or injured upon purchase?
How has its behavior and appearance changed, if at all?

 

[jkkgron2]

I am going to get my first Betta fish soon. I know someone who keeps a Betta in a 5 gallon tank but it has no filter or heater. He said I could have it. I can get it as soon as I want but I need to get a tank cycled first. I have a picture and I can tell that it has some kind of disease. It looks like graphite disease but that only affects blue Bettas and is deadly within 24-48 hours. Maybe it is very bad fin rot? What is it? Should I take him now or leave him until I have a cycled tank? I can only keep him in a non-cycled tank right now until a tank is finished cycling. Should I do that so I can treat him or let my friend keep him until the tank is ready?

Tank

What is the water volume of the tank? 5 gallons
How long has the tank been running?
Does it have a filter? No
Does it have a heater? No
What is the water temperature?
What is the entire stocking of this tank? (Please list all fish and inverts.) just the Betta

Maintenance

How often do you change the water? Every few MONTHS.
How much of the water do you change?
What do you use to treat your water?
Do you vacuum the substrate or just the water?

*Parameters - Very Important

Did you cycle your tank before adding fish? No
What do you use to test the water?
What are your parameters? We need to know the exact numbers, not just “fine” or “safe”.

Ammonia:
Nitrite:
Nitrate:
pH:

Feeding

How often do you feed your fish?
How much do you feed your fish?
What brand of food do you feed your fish?
Do you feed frozen or freeze-dried foods?

Illness & Symptoms

How long have you had this fish?
How long ago did you first notice these symptoms?
In a few words, can you explain the symptoms? Lots of fins gone, what's left of the back fins it totally black.
Have you started any treatment for the illness? No
Was your fish physically ill or injured upon purchase?
How has its behavior and appearance changed, if at all?View attachment 731679

I’m not sure what you mean by graphite disease but after reading a few threads I don’t think it only effects blue bettas. Color doesn’t matter.

He looks like he has mild fin rot. He should improve and heal once he’s in clean water. You may want to consider picking him up right away and doing a fish in cycle. I don’t know how much longer he’ll last.

 

[Lucas35]

Okay thanks. Do you think it could still grow back?

 

[NBettas83]

Did you mean Velvet? A lot of Bettas just have a coppery/dusty look on them, the gauge for Velvet would be activity and eating in this situation. And like jkkgron2 said, he may have fin rot, or he might be a crowntail (hard to tell from the picture).

 

[Lucas35]

I dont think he has that I was just saying it looked similar.

 

[lucky123]

I think as soon as you get your tank set set up, you should get him. He’s better off with you helping him then waiting. If you have another tank, use the filter media from that. If not, some local fish stores will give you some media from their tanks (just make sure the tanks are disease free). Or you could get an angelsplus active sponge filter to help get it cycled fast or some tetra safe start (I’ve never had luck with bottled bacteria but some people have).

To start helping with his tail, add aquarium salt and/or Indian almond leaves until you can be sure exactly what diseases he has. Someone who’s good with treating finrot should jump in but medication may be needed.

 

[Cinabar]

I dont think he has that I was just saying it looked similar.

I’ve never heard of graphite disease, but your fish looks perfectly normal to me... if maybe a bit fat. The post you showed is referring to what’s called diamond eye, where the scales grow over the fish’s eye due to excessive pigmentation, and it only happens in dragonscale bettas. Your fish is just a normal coppery one though, so no worries about that.

about the fins... does it look like it has prolonged fin rot, or could it be a crowntail? Either way, make sure to keep the water super clean, it can only help.