Orion Is Sick!

[Assaye]

Ammonia = 0
Nitrite = 0
Nitrate = 5-10

pH = 7.8

Tank = 3 gallons

Tank Inhabitants = Orion (male betta) and pest snails.

Symptons = hardly moving, sort of drifting around the tank or resting. Keeps slipping between objects (rocks, caves, plants) and just lying there. Shallow, labored breathing, if there is such a thing in fish. Hardly reacts to me or his environment. Showed a vague interest in food but didn't eat anything. I keep finding him lying on the floor.

No obvious signs of disease - no fungus, spots, loss of colouration, etc. Seems to have lost the back end of his caudal, but doesn't look like rot as the 'cut' is clean and not at all discoloured. Not sure how he could have done it though, there is nothing that could damage his fins in the tank, so I'm stumped.

Usually quite active, flaring readily and eating like a horse. He has, however, not really gained weight since we have had him, despite eating well.

He's really scaring me, guys.

 

[Luke_emma_23]

is the tank heated & filtered?
have you tried lowering the water level for a while so he can reach the surface it breathe a little easier while he's not feeling too well
have you done the pea trick incase he is constipated?
i would just keep his water as clean as possible & keep offering food little & often
im sure the guys will have some more suggestions!!
Emma

 

[Assaye]

is the tank heated & filtered?
have you tried lowering the water level for a while so he can reach the surface it breathe a little easier while he's not feeling too well
have you done the pea trick incase he is constipated?
i would just keep his water as clean as possible & keep offering food little & often
im sure the guys will have some more suggestions!!
Emma

Heated to 27 degrees C. Filtered. Water stats all good.

Not lowered water level yet but I am going to pop him in a breeding trap to get him closer to the surface. Not tried a pea - that's a good idea!

Thanks for your help =)

 

[Luke_emma_23]

is the tank heated & filtered?
have you tried lowering the water level for a while so he can reach the surface it breathe a little easier while he's not feeling too well
have you done the pea trick incase he is constipated?
i would just keep his water as clean as possible & keep offering food little & often
im sure the guys will have some more suggestions!!
Emma

Heated to 27 degrees C. Filtered. Water stats all good.

Not lowered water level yet but I am going to pop him in a breeding trap to get him closer to the surface. Not tried a pea - that's a good idea!

Thanks for your help =)

Hi, how is he today?
sometimes moving them can cause more stress, especially if he has nowhere to hide in the trap, if i was you i would lower the tank level so he is still in his own environment & has places to retreat to if he wants to.
Best of luck
Emma

 

[Assaye]

is the tank heated & filtered?
have you tried lowering the water level for a while so he can reach the surface it breathe a little easier while he's not feeling too well
have you done the pea trick incase he is constipated?
i would just keep his water as clean as possible & keep offering food little & often
im sure the guys will have some more suggestions!!
Emma

Heated to 27 degrees C. Filtered. Water stats all good.

Not lowered water level yet but I am going to pop him in a breeding trap to get him closer to the surface. Not tried a pea - that's a good idea!

Thanks for your help =)

Hi, how is he today?
sometimes moving them can cause more stress, especially if he has nowhere to hide in the trap, if i was you i would lower the tank level so he is still in his own environment & has places to retreat to if he wants to.
Best of luck
Emma

He's up and down. Not showing an interest in food this morning but he did eat last night, which I was happy about.

Found what I think is a white, transluscent poop in his trap this morning (popped him in the trap as I can't keep the tank heated if I lower the water level. Stupid long heaters). Internal parasites?

I wish I could hug him to make him feel better.

 

[Luke_emma_23]

is the tank heated & filtered?
have you tried lowering the water level for a while so he can reach the surface it breathe a little easier while he's not feeling too well
have you done the pea trick incase he is constipated?
i would just keep his water as clean as possible & keep offering food little & often
im sure the guys will have some more suggestions!!
Emma

Heated to 27 degrees C. Filtered. Water stats all good.

Not lowered water level yet but I am going to pop him in a breeding trap to get him closer to the surface. Not tried a pea - that's a good idea!

Thanks for your help =)

Hi, how is he today?
sometimes moving them can cause more stress, especially if he has nowhere to hide in the trap, if i was you i would lower the tank level so he is still in his own environment & has places to retreat to if he wants to.


Best of luck
Emma

He's up and down. Not showing an interest in food this morning but he did eat last night, which I was happy about.

Found what I think is a white, transluscent poop in his trap this morning (popped him in the trap as I can't keep the tank heated if I lower the water level. Stupid long heaters). Internal parasites?

I wish I could hug him to make him feel better.

yes it sounds like it could be internal parasites, one treatment recommended is soaking their food in garlic juice as the garlic can kill off the parasite
people have varying opinions on this method.

 

[loraxchick]

soaking in garlic juice is a great idea if you cant get the meds right away. wont hurt him if he eats it, may help to stimulate appetite and is helpful with immunity.
best of luck with him