Is He Old And Dying Or Something Else?

[BettaBoysGirl]

I have a veil tail male betta I bought from a petstore nearly 10 months ago. The past week, I keep finding him resting on the bottom of the tank, rather then his betta leaf like he normally does. He eats, but its not as much. (Use to eat 3 pellets ever other day, only eats 1 now.) He wont flare either, before all you had to do is touch the glass of his tank and he would flare. Now, not even a mirror works. He almost seems depressed? Another thing i noted, his fins are looking less full. I dont mean as in fin rot issues (believe me, been there and did that with a halfmoon), just,... more narrow, even if on the off chance he does flare. His tank is 5 gallons and kept at 80ºF, Ammonia, and Nitrites are 0. Nitrates are 5-10 ppm usually, but 0 currently due to the big water change i did to see if it would perk him up. He does have Java Moss and Anbias nanas in his tank. His only tank companion is a Zebra Nerite. I wondering if this is a natural behavior, or is he nearing the end of his life. Any ideas?

 

[FreedomFighter]

I find it hard to believe it may be old age, as in theory he should only be about 13-15 months old.

It sounds like he has clamped fins and is acting lethargic, could be issues with the water, maybe PH or temperature?

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

Does he have any new things added to his tank?

Anything you've changed in the last few weeks?

 

[BettaBoysGirl]

Does he have any new things added to his tank?

Anything you've changed in the last few weeks?

I've always been told that pet store bettas and im talking chain petstores, generally put them out around 1 year, so he maybe 20 to 24 months old. Temp is a warm 80 like I mentioned above. Ph is a steady 7.8. The only new thing is the snail. Which I did quarantine. Think its the snails?

 

[FreedomFighter]

If that is indeed true, then it's possible it's old age. BUT, I have heard of Betta living past 5 years of age, so i'm still dubious.

I would find it hardly unlikely for it to be the snails.

Here's a random thought, maybe he's just bored! Betta like having new things to explore, so why don't you take him out and keep him in a tub for a few minutes whilst you completely rearrange his tank, drop him back in and see how he acts??

It's a long shot, but it's worth a go, right??

 

[loraxchick]

they tend to get lazy as they get older but eating habits normally dont change. i suggest a nice waterchange and some peas and a two day fast-in case hes constipated which can put them off their food. cut back on feeding 1-2 pellets every other day is plenty, especially in a mature fish. they seriously will eat til they are absolutely engorged so its up to us to limit their food.
keep us posted.
cheers