Help!

[metromyers]

Help!!! Fred is acting "funny". He is spending a lot of time on the bottom of the tank, and his breathing is fast. Almost like he is panting. He looks fine. No changes in color, size, or shape. He has no problems swimming. The only changes I have made is I have added a filter in the tank,did a water change, and I fed him live worms. When I noticed his troubles I did a 50% water change. I don't have a water test kit, but I figured I had to do something. Any suggestions. Thanks!

 

[LauraFrog]

Has it rained a lot recently where you are?
How big is the tank and is he alone in it? Any live plants? What is the filter, how fast is the current and what filtration media are you using? How much do you feed him and has he ever had worms before and been ok?
I suppose you would have mentioned any spots/patches etc, but I'd better ask anyway.

I probably don't have a clue, but if that info is up when the people who fix fish (Look for Wilder) show up it will be a lot easier for them to help.

 

[dzsigmond217]

Questions:
1/ is his tank cycled with the new filter?
2/ is there a heater in the tank?
3/ how many of the live blood worms did you feed him/how often/how long?
4/ how hard/fast is the current from the filter?
5/ how big is the tank?
6/ when was your last water change ( be4 that last 50% one)?

I think if you answered all these questions someone might be able to help you.
Plus..I would recommend buying the liquid test kits to check your water stats.
A lot of problems occur from poor water conditions.
Good luck!

edit: oops! LauraFrog beat me in posting so some questions are duplicated!

 

[liz2]

Hi hope he is a bit better. To be honest I would think it was the blood worms. Most bettas love them but a couple of mine get bunged up after they have eaten them. If he doesnt get a bit livelier I would do another water change in nice conditioned water and see how he goes....

 

[Colin_T]

It could be the filter is too powerful for the tank and he is pis-sed off with it
There might have been something in the new water that went into the tank. Excess chlorine or heavy metals.
The live black or tubifex worms often carry bacteria and can cause internal problems. If he started acting funny immediately after eating the worms he might have one stuck in his throat and be choking. The worms are pretty long and can be an issue with a lot of fish.

 

[LauraFrog]

There might have been something in the new water that went into the tank. Excess chlorine or heavy metals.

If it's rained a lot and your water supply is from any dam or river that has received runoff (read as virtually all town/municipal water supplies) a bore or a well, there could be exccessive soil minerals in the water. Trace elements (such as heavy metals) are leached out of the soil and can end up in the fish tank. They can make the fish sick. Heavy breathing is often a sign of poisoning of some kind. Also if there has been rain and the government is scared there could be contamination from silt or runoff they often add alum (settling agent, toxic to fish) excess chlorine and chloramine (chloramine is chlorine mixed with ammonia) to try and purify the water. If this started within 12 hours of the water change, it might be worthwhile to try emptying the tank and filling it with bottled water. If the tank is large, use a 2 gal temporarily. You can keep bettas in plastic containers in emergencies.

 

[metromyers]

I would like to thank everyone, they turned on the "light bulb" to the problem. First I got lucky and I didn"t loose Fred over night. Second, Fred's problem is my fault. I made a rookie mistake and almost killed my fish. When I changed the water I also cleaned the gravel, at the same time I also added a new filter, and basically got rid of all the amonia eating bacteria. What an idiot!!!! I was so worried about the filter causing to much turbulance in the tank I didn't think about what I was doing. What a stupid mistake! Anyway not only did Fred live through the night, but he is back to swimming around, eating normally, and breathing normally.

First I am on well water, but I fill up an old milk container and add water conditioner, and let it sit before using it in his tank.

Second I will definatly buy a water tester today.

Third the live worms didn't seem to bother him but I would rather stick with the dried ones with pellets.

Fourth Thanks again for the help