I Think He's Dying- N/m He Died

[Kairi]

He keeps nose diving to the bottom and staying nose down, tail and fins up... then he perks a little and swims up to the top, the just kind of falls backwards to the bottom (or lands on the plant if it catches him) ... what is going on?!

 

[WILDER]

not the writer of the information.
Swim Bladder Disorder



The Swim bladder is a gas-filled sac located inside the fish’s body cavity just above most of the other internal organs. This sac is what gives the fish buoyancy and controls equilibrium. The amount of gas in this sac changes as the fish rises and sinks in the water, enabling it to swim, hover and move in the water. Without the use of the Swim-bladder organ a fish is unable to control it's own movements.



Symptoms:

Fish with a swim bladder disorder appear to have an abnormal swimming pattern, usually with their tail end up. They also appear to have difficulty maintaining equilibrium. They may even float upside down or appear to be stuck at the surface of the water, being unable to swim down, or they may lie on the bottom, unable to rise. Fish with a swim bladder disorder will continue to try and feed, showing a normal appetite.



Cause:

The most common cause of swim bladder disorders is improper diet. An improper diet can lead to intestinal gas or intestinal blockages. Intestinal blockages can irritate the bowel, giving bacteria or other parasites an entry point where they can then cause damage to the swim bladder. Swim bladder disorders are most common in the larger, deep-bodied varieties of Goldfish. Fish also fed a lot of dried foods, especially pellets, are most susceptible. This condition is frequently observed in the later stages of Malawi Bloat, which is primarily due to an improper diet as well and intestinal irritation.



Treatment:

Because this disorder is due principally to an improper diet, a change in their feeding needs to be made. Dried foods with lots of protein should be kept to a minimum. Pellets and other dense foods should be soaked prior to feeding or completely eliminated from their diet. Foods with lots of fiber should be introduced, such as zucchini, squash, spinach, romaine lettuce, peas, and grated carrots. If you suspect that the fish is victim to a bacterial infection, treat the fish with a medicated food.

 

[Kairi]

He's eating his normal Beta food... will he eat other stuff? what if he's laying there and sometimes his gills aren't moving, other times they are?

 

[Mr.September15]

Yes bettas are tropical fish. The thing im sure of is that hes sick. Check for more odd things, try checking the disease section of the TFF FAQ.

 

[WILDER]

Needs a better diet than that, he needs some veg and fozen foods in his diet like bloodworms,brimestrimp, and daphnia, i would try and feed him on some shelled peas.

 

[Kairi]

he died that sure was quick, last night he was fine! oh well... tanks cleaned and will sit for a couple days before we go trade him he was only here like 3 days.

 

[WILDER]

Sorry that was quick, R.I.P.

 

[Kairi]

no kidding after cleaning the tank and rinsing the gravel and plant- how long should i wait to get another? he's only got a 15 day warrenty- and we got him on the 11th

 

[WILDER]

If you have sterlised everything you could get one tomorrow, watch the betta for a while the one you like, this way you can observe them, make sure it can stay up right, no finrot or paleness or darkness to the fish, also check that is dons't look bloated, good luck.

 

[Kairi]

watch him in the little cup at the store?

 

[WILDER]

Sorry forgot they keep them in them damm god cup things, it will be hard then, good luck anyway.

 

[Kairi]

thanks. i'm going tomorrow to look. don't feel like it today. i never thought i'd be bummed about a fish i'd had 3 days dying.

 

[AndyTaylor]

Maybe i'm missing some background here, but would some water tests not be a good idea at this point.
What size is the tank? How long have you been keeping fish?
maybe there was a pm exchanged along the way but it seems that the tank may be uncycled?

 

[Kairi]

well, that was my intention for getting the fish tomorrow, or later if need be. i have learned (the last couple days) about testing the water... the tank is a one gallon tank. i'm still very new at fish, but i have a pretty strong inkling why this guy died. he bugged his tank mate (who was waiting for his new tank to finish getting set up for him) to death. although we changed the water out after removing the dead fish- i was in too much of a hurry to clean the filter under the gravel... i think that might have been my mistake- i dunno.

but no, that tank was cycled. it's not at the moment- but it's running and getting ready and stuff.

 

[discy]

Don't you just hate those 'cups' - I have seen them in pint glasses and tiny little glass squares.... I always like to see them in a tank with all the other fish - you can see their beautiful finnage and colours.....

I have one in with my discus and he loves it! doesn't bother them and they don't bother him. Nearly lost him last month as he developed a big white growth at the side of his head and sat on top of the filter for a few days - happy to say after a bit of medication he is back to normal and bombing round my tank as if he owned it!