Help Betta Acting Strange

[BENCHMARKMAN]

I went away for the holidays and came back today and my betta is acting strange. Before leaving I asked if I should leave him alone for 10 days in the following thread, [URL="http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=223338&st=0&gopid=1860907&#entry1860907"]http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showto...p;#entry1860907[/URL], and I was told he would be fine. Well my betta is now swimming erratically and at the bottom of the tank sideways and upside. I read this might be swim bladder but this is caused by over feeding but he hasn't been feed in 10 days so I don't see how this could be the problem. Please help me!

 

[StarChildren]

Have you fed him since you've been home? Did he eat a lot at once, that could be the over-eating. Cleaned his tank since you been home yet? Any other things different with him other then the swimming? I am still learning myself, but maybe it might give others an idea to whats going on...umm...I don't know what else to tell you, sorry this happened, can always hope he is just really happy to see you and wears himself out.

 

[StarChildren]

"It is easy to diagnose a betta with external parasites: It will dart and scratch itself against anything it can find, such as gravel, rocks, heaters, tank walls, etc… You may or may not actually be able to see the parasites themselves. Look instead for a behavioral change in your betta. If it looks like it is on speed or acid, then it has parasites!! )))"

Does that sound similar? Heres where I found that, they have a whole list of things to help diagnose. http/www.bettatalk.com/betta_diseases.htm That one is a little over half way down and is called "EXTERNAL PARASITES". Hope that helps.

 

[BENCHMARKMAN]

Have you fed him since you've been home? Did he eat a lot at once, that could be the over-eating. Cleaned his tank since you been home yet? Any other things different with him other then the swimming? I am still learning myself, but maybe it might give others an idea to whats going on...umm...I don't know what else to tell you, sorry this happened, can always hope he is just really happy to see you and wears himself out.

No he hasn't eaten anything. I did a partial water change but he was acting odd before the water change. I actually thought he was dead when I first got home because he was laying upside at the bottom of the tank.

"It is easy to diagnose a betta with external parasites: It will dart and scratch itself against anything it can find, such as gravel, rocks, heaters, tank walls, etc… You may or may not actually be able to see the parasites themselves. Look instead for a behavioral change in your betta. If it looks like it is on speed or acid, then it has parasites!! )))"

Does that sound similar? Heres where I found that, they have a whole list of things to help diagnose. http/www.bettatalk.com/betta_diseases.htm That one is a little over half way down and is called "EXTERNAL PARASITES". Hope that helps.

He is not scratching or rubbing just swimming like he is drunk.

I might try and go to the pet store tomorrow or Thursday and pick up some supplies. Any suggestions on what would be good such as salt, conditioners, prentive chemicals, treatments, and conditioners?

 

[StarChildren]

1. do you know how old he is?
2. is he gasping for breaths?
3. you could try and see if he would eat a very small amount of food, if he's completely lost it apitite that might make a difference in being able to diagnose wats going on.
4. any fungus on him, itll look like mold growing on him in spots (if he does, change 50% of his water, and making sure the new water you add is the same temp as wats already in his tank and conditioned already...then get some "MARDEL" brand MAROXY, i hear it clears that up real fast n keep doin the 50% water changes everyday cuz "When fish get sick, and you add medication, not only are they stressed from the disease itself, they are greatly stressed from the medication in the water which can also cause the water quality to drop to horrible conditons.")

you might want to check the Ph and ammonia levels in the water too, one could be too high and causes problems
if you have sea salt on hand and it looks like his scales are loosing color u might try the slightest pinch of sea salt which could help provide a protecting coating or strengthen the scales.
if it is his water, if u can test it, u can isolate him in a smaller tank with treated water while you get the other one cleaned.

im just throwing out ideas and things to look for here...

 

[StarChildren]

Here are some other sites with symptoms listed and what it might be...
http/www.healthybetta.com/illcure.html
http/www.petfish.net/kb/entry/171/
http/www.petfish.net/kb/entry/159/

I hope someone with more experience gets on here and gives you some ideas, I weeded thru everything I can find and I have to go put my son to bed, hope he gets better and hope to hear tomorrow he is doing a lot better. GOOD LUCK

 

[BENCHMARKMAN]

Well, I'm really pissed that I listened to you guys about leaving my fish alone, he died last night

 

[Shrimper]

Well, I'm really pissed that I listened to you guys about leaving my fish alone, he died last night

In your original post you said you had the filter on a timer, this may be part of the problem. The filter needs to be on 24/7 or the bacteria inside will die.

I know its not what you want to hear, but not eating for 10 days shouldn't kill a healthy Betta.

 

[StarChildren]

Well, I'm really pissed that I listened to you guys about leaving my fish alone, he died last night

sorry to hear that

 

[MermaidMel]

I am going to say what I think, because for this I am famous

1) You either filter your tank, or you don't. Not turn it on and off, why would you do that? I wish I had seen your original post, I would have said the same thing then

2) Not eating for 10 days wouldn't have killed him or made him act funny, however if I'd seen your original post I would have recommended feeding him high protein foods before his food-free stint. In fact no, I would have said take him with you. 8hrs with a heatpack and good packing would have been fine for him to travel.

3) Your mom will never forgive you? Tell her she needs to get over it and give you a break - there are a hundred things that can go wrong when you aren't at home looking after your pet.

Sorry if it's harsh, I say it like it is and THAT is how it is. You cannot possibly go blaming the people who gave you the benefit of their kind advice for your fish dying. He is YOUR responsibility, not theirs and their advice about a betta not eating for 10 days was not murderous, evil words (although I personally wouldn't leave my fish without food that long, I would have someone come in to feed them half way through).

 

[BENCHMARKMAN]

I am going to say what I think, because for this I am famous

1) You either filter your tank, or you don't. Not turn it on and off, why would you do that? I wish I had seen your original post, I would have said the same thing then

2) Not eating for 10 days wouldn't have killed him or made him act funny, however if I'd seen your original post I would have recommended feeding him high protein foods before his food-free stint. In fact no, I would have said take him with you. 8hrs with a heatpack and good packing would have been fine for him to travel.

3) Your mom will never forgive you? Tell her she needs to get over it and give you a break - there are a hundred things that can go wrong when you aren't at home looking after your pet.

Sorry if it's harsh, I say it like it is and THAT is how it is. You cannot possibly go blaming the people who gave you the benefit of their kind advice for your fish dying. He is YOUR responsibility, not theirs and their advice about a betta not eating for 10 days was not murderous, evil words (although I personally wouldn't leave my fish without food that long, I would have someone come in to feed them half way through).

I never said it wasn't my responsiblity but the original repliers need to take responsibilty as well. It just like going to a doctor for advice, its his responsibility to give good advice.

 

[MermaidMel]

I am going to say what I think, because for this I am famous

1) You either filter your tank, or you don't. Not turn it on and off, why would you do that? I wish I had seen your original post, I would have said the same thing then

2) Not eating for 10 days wouldn't have killed him or made him act funny, however if I'd seen your original post I would have recommended feeding him high protein foods before his food-free stint. In fact no, I would have said take him with you. 8hrs with a heatpack and good packing would have been fine for him to travel.

3) Your mom will never forgive you? Tell her she needs to get over it and give you a break - there are a hundred things that can go wrong when you aren't at home looking after your pet.

Sorry if it's harsh, I say it like it is and THAT is how it is. You cannot possibly go blaming the people who gave you the benefit of their kind advice for your fish dying. He is YOUR responsibility, not theirs and their advice about a betta not eating for 10 days was not murderous, evil words (although I personally wouldn't leave my fish without food that long, I would have someone come in to feed them half way through).

I never said it wasn't my responsiblity but the original repliers need to take responsibilty as well. It just like going to a doctor for advice, its his responsibility to give good advice.

Well I don't trust doctors either lol, between 3 of them in 7 months I've been misdiagnosed each time!

Sadly, it's a fact that even when you turn to experts, they do not know everything and I wouldn't have not fed my fish for 10 days or advised anyone to do that, however if your boy had died from starvation he wouldn't have preceded this by darting about his tank etc. as you described, so something else got wrong with him.

Sorry for your loss, if you get another betta, then please have faith in your own decisions more than the advice of others because it's all too easy to blame others for your own actions.

 

[Leedsboi86]

First of all!
YOU decided to listen to the Advice and act upon it! They didn't froce you!
Second of all don't come on here shouting ur mouth off at people! everyone on this forum is really nice and TRIED to help you the best they could!

I'm not gonna sit here and let you bash on people cause ur betta died!
Yea it's sad and really a shame for any fish to die but at the end of the day non of them people who helped could see into future! They give you there ADVICE! Not the Holy Law of Bettas!

It's ur responsibility not theres! they tried to help best they could!!!!!

No one knew what would of happend he could of just as easly died taking him with you!

Or he could of had problems unknown til you was away!

10 days without food is nothing for a Betta!
On and Off filter can be a killer!

So I suggest you show them some respect!
Everyones sorry for whats happend but ya not gonna have ago at them!

P.S Yes mel u are famous!
P.P.S Sorry if I sound harsh but it was ur choice to listen they didn't know this was gonna happen!

 

[Minni3]

First of all!
YOU decided to listen to the Advice and act upon it! They didn't froce you!
Second of all don't come on here shouting ur mouth off at people! everyone on this forum is really nice and TRIED to help you the best they could!

I'm not gonna sit here and let you bash on people cause ur betta died!
Yea it's sad and really a shame for any fish to die but at the end of the day non of them people who helped could see into future! They give you there ADVICE! Not the Holy Law of Bettas!

It's ur responsibility not theres! they tried to help best they could!!!!!

No one knew what would of happend he could of just as easly died taking him with you!

Or he could of had problems unknown til you was away!

10 days without food is nothing for a Betta!
On and Off filter can be a killer!

So I suggest you show them some respect!
Everyones sorry for whats happend but ya not gonna have ago at them!

P.S Yes mel u are famous!
P.P.S Sorry if I sound harsh but it was ur choice to listen they didn't know this was gonna happen!

I don't think he was shouting..just really upset - I would be too. After all his beloved pet did die.

Anyway, I'm sorry for your loss. Are you planning to get a new one or are you feeling a bit torn right now?

 

[BENCHMARKMAN]

First of all!
YOU decided to listen to the Advice and act upon it! They didn't froce you!
Second of all don't come on here shouting ur mouth off at people! everyone on this forum is really nice and TRIED to help you the best they could!

I'm not gonna sit here and let you bash on people cause ur betta died!
Yea it's sad and really a shame for any fish to die but at the end of the day non of them people who helped could see into future! They give you there ADVICE! Not the Holy Law of Bettas!

It's ur responsibility not theres! they tried to help best they could!!!!!

No one knew what would of happend he could of just as easly died taking him with you!

Or he could of had problems unknown til you was away!

10 days without food is nothing for a Betta!
On and Off filter can be a killer!

So I suggest you show them some respect!
Everyones sorry for whats happend but ya not gonna have ago at them!

P.S Yes mel u are famous!
P.P.S Sorry if I sound harsh but it was ur choice to listen they didn't know this was gonna happen!

First I never shouted anything.

Second I never bashed or attacked anybody. In fact I was the only one attacked in this thread.

Third I never said I was pissed at you guys; I was pissed at my self for listening to you.