Betta Worries

[DVCara]

I am worried about my Betta. For the last couple of days he has been floating vertically in the tank. He reacts a bit when I come up to the tank, but it seems like it is hard for him to swim any other way then vertical. He is still breathing, I watched him long enough to see it. He lives in a 10 gallon tank with a few live plants and an apple snail. His color looks good, but it just seems like he is having trouble getting around. I am not sure but I would guess he is about 2-3 years old. Sorry, I do not have any specs on the water itself, but I just did a water change and it did not improve his behavior. I am just worried about my Prof. Peacock.

 

[12azor]

Are you saying that he can only swim up and down. Or his mouth in facing downwards. As if he's standing on it?

 

[devon_charm]

can you get us some pics of him? it would help

 

[PoptartShop]

Hm, it seems like he might have SBD?
(aka Swim Bladder Disease/disorder).
Try fasting him, but also feed him a pea.
& lower the water level a bit so he can get around easier.
But please post pictures!

 

[DVCara]

Sorry I did not respond sooner, I lost hope when I didn't get any answers in the first day or so. He is floating with his mouth up. Seems like he has trouble staying at the top at times. He has been spending the last day behind the heater, I think because it holds him at the top. In the last hour things have gotten worse. He is now at the bottom, oddly pointing up with his mouth. I ran in there to take a picture and he had moved to a lower leaf, I drained some water out of the tank and now he is in his castle still at the bottom. I am scared to death he is gonna suffocate! His gills are still moving, but I thought he had to get to the top to breath! People on another board just told me he is dying. I am just worried it is too late! I tried to get a picture, but they came out horribly fuzzy.

 

[DVCara]

I lowered the water level and now he has moved to a spot where he can breathe. He has put himself in a place where I cannot really get a pic. When I said he was floating vertically, I meant that his mouth was pointing up and I am sure he could swim horizontally, but he just seemed to have trouble with short bursts to keep himself at the surface. Since things have gotten worse he seems to be laying on his side a lot. I don't know how to describe it better....

 

[12azor]

If he's having a hard time breathing try putting in an air stone.

 

[devon_charm]

I really wish i could help but i don't know what to say. How is he today?

 

[liz2]

He does sound as if he is old, particularly if you cant see anything wrong with him. Just TLC is what I usually do..

 

[DVCara]

There really is no change. He is still eating, but since I lowered the water level he lays in the same spot, propped up with his mouth near the surface. I just do my best to drop his food near his mouth and check for any changes. He is a little fighter. I am apprehensive about the next water change, but we will see how it goes.