Oh My Gosh!

[Hmongol]

Oh gosh, I came back from a week of school and I found my betta like this... I don't know what could have happened but I put him in the hospital tank and tried to use some melafix and some other medication but there has been no improvement since 2 days ago.
The tank was fine with a little bit of ammonia and the ph was about 6.6. so I don't know how this could have happened.
He is laying down and sometimes twitches, I know that he is beyond help but I can't stand to see him suffer... Should I put him to sleep? Or any other options? What is the right thing to do?

 

[The Taffy Apple]

Oh gosh, I came back from a week of school and I found my betta like this... I don't know what could have happened but I put him in the hospital tank and tried to use some melafix and some other medication but there has been no improvement since 2 days ago.
The tank was fine with a little bit of ammonia and the ph was about 6.6. so I don't know how this could have happened.
He is laying down and sometimes twitches, I know that he is beyond help but I can't stand to see him suffer... Should I put him to sleep? Or any other options? What is the right thing to do?

If you can post a little more information about your set-up your answer will probably come along alot quicker.

How long have you had the tank? Size? Volume? Was it completely 'cycled' (i see you have a 'small trace of Ammonia', not good)? Any other fish in there?

 

[loraxchick]

Waterchange immediatly. That looks like columnaris. Need. Antibiotic meds. If in US get maracyn I and II and run both meds together. You can also get some aquarium salt nd dose 1 teaspoon per 5 gal. Lower temp in tank to 70.
He can pull thru but columnaris spreads quickly and can wipe out an entire tank if its a bad strain.
Good luck
cheers.

 

[Hmongol]

If you can post a little more information about your set-up your answer will probably come along alot quicker.

How long have you had the tank? Size? Volume? Was it completely 'cycled' (i see you have a 'small trace of Ammonia', not good)? Any other fish in there?

It's a 2.5 gallon cube, I've had it for 6 months and was partial cycled, but it was okay because he made it for 6 months. All that doesn't really matter now because he's gone and I've found out what might have happened.
My little 3 year old nephew came over sometimes that week and I asked him did he feed the fish and he said "a little" in which I'm sure it wasn't a little. Than I did a 75% water change because I saw traces of ammonia... and that was it.

Loraxchick, how does columnaris start? Did the the overly fed fish food stay in too long for a week and a half?

 

[loraxchick]

columnaris is bacterial. There is always bad things (bacteria/fungus etc) in the water but a healthy fish with good immune system generally fight off any infection before it starts. When fish are stressed or there is bad environment/diet thats when we see problems in the fish. Keep that water very clean by doing partial waterchanges everyday. Lower the tank temp if you are able by a degree or two (around 70F)(warmer water is better for bacs to multiply). Dont overfeed. Try and get some antibacterial meds if you can.
best of luck!
cheers

just re-read. Did not realize on the first round that he didnt make it sorry to hear that, he was very handsome! love his coloring.
If you plan on getting new fish, make sure you sterilize everything in the tank.
cheers