Darts Not Eating Right

[matty101]

This morning, when I went to go feed Darts, heate the first four pellets but the last one he sort of had troubles eating. He kept trying and I replaced the pellet thinking it was that. He couldn't eat that last one. On closer inpection, it looks as if his right gill seems to be popping out more whe he breathes. Will he be okay? Water conditions are normal and clean. Treated the water with aquarium salt, Melafix and BettaFix Remedy (fin rot) Anything will be helpful.

 

[jollysue]

Mustn't use both MelaFix and BettaFix. They are the same ingredients. It will overdose at a triple dose for Betta.

 

[Glod]

Melafix is melaleuca at 1% solution, Bettafix is melaleuca at 0.2% solution. Using both is overdosing the same treatment. The main reason Bettafix is less concentrated is to make it easier to administer to smaller tanks without overdosing.

It is possible that your betta has managed to get a pellet stuck. Try offering him some shelled pea, that may help him loosen it. Other than that just keep an eye on him, it may free itself over time.

 

[matty101]

he was constipated and did poop out a big chunk...but now he's listless on the bottom of his tank. I'm really scared. He's breathing oddly and I think he may pass away Could it be internal parasites? Or just an overdose?

 

[WILDER]

If the gills popping out check to see there no food lodged in the gill.
Are the gills pale with excess mucas, or red and inflamed.

Never saw the meds thing sorry, yes do an immediate water change and get an airstone going.

 

[matty101]

ahh wata lil banana He just needed more space and more heat. I tossed him back into the 10g divided with the other betta and the first thing he does is flare at Mystic hahah, the gups and platy that was in his current space are now all in a 0.5 ! I know, it's so bad but I plan to do 35-50% water changes every 2-3 days tops! It has to be clean

 

[LouiseRat]

am glad to hear darts is getting better matty , must of been very worrying for you

 

[matty101]

thanks for the support louise and yes I was VERY SCARED But thank you.

EDIT: AHH He still can't eat. He looks like he's breathing a bit more proper but he still turns his nose up at the food and won't touch it. I tried bloodworms but he won't eat that either. Any sggestions?

 

[jollysue]

I'm still concerned about the overdose of MelaFix. I have killed a few Betta by forgetting about that when treating a tank with it. (Also killed both my agassazi red tail appistgrammas and a 12" Pimwe frontosa. Don't ever think that overdoses of any substance are not serious.)

I would give him some time to recover. Keep his water clean. Perhaps a little salt (@1 tsp per 2.5 usg) to help his gill function. Don't force him to eat. His appitite will return when he feels better.

 

[matty101]

well I thought he might have felt better and he sort of did. He swam around normally and did eat. He will now oly eat 3/5 pellets and if I feed more he spits them out or puts his nose up and doesn't eat it. Is he telling me how many he actually wants? Cuz he's done this for 4 days now. 3 pelllets; no more; no less. Andwhen he eats, unlike Mystic, it doesn't look as if he chews his food. It looks like he inhales it, chews once, and swallows. Sometimes I even wonder if I fed him

 

[jollysue]

Each one is individual. He is eating; he is healthy acting; just watch him for now is all I can think of. He had a little rough go, so let him recover at his pace and see where he lands. They each have their own little personalities and can be very individual. But sometimes when I've had a rough spot food doesn't taste too good.