Please Help!

[stang1]

Please help somebody.
My Betta seems really poorly, he's just sitting there and not swimming around at all. He was fine yesterday but today he's not moving at all.
I've moved hin to a seperate bowl with fairly shallow water so that he hasn't got far to swim for air.
My water stats are: Ammonia-0, Nitrite-0, Nitrate-20, PH-7.5.
I've added som Pimafix in the hope this will help. I've just checked on him and he was laying on his side slightly but when I put my finger in the water he swam away. He's now just laying there again and won't eat.
PLEASE HELP!!

 

[stang1]

bump.

 

[l.michelle]

How old is your betta?
Also, what sort of tank is he in? does he have a heater? what is the temp? It could be that he is cold.

It might also be old age. Good luck

 

[stang1]

I've only had him for two weeks. He's in a 4 UK gallon tank with heater and filter. There are plenty of plants and hiding places in the tank.

 

[liz2]

dont panic! I have bought bettas that have been fine for a couple of weeks and then something they had when you got them surfaces. If water is OK, no visible signs on him, is he constipated, is he cold, you cant do anything else. You are doing all you can I will keep my fingers crossed. OMG is it your yellow one?

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

You said he was lying on his side, this could be swimbladder. Look for any bowel movements as swimbladder and constipation usually come hand in hand.

 

[jollysue]

PimaFix is for fungal infections. Better to add some aquarium salt for a Betta for possible fungus. Also these products: PimaFix and MelaFix should be reduced for Bettas. It will kill them at the normal doses. I agree: fast a day or two, then try some pea or daphnia, keep the water clean, add some salt. Watch for poo and any symptoms. Then hope he is a strong fellow.

Lying on the side is a pretty universal sign of distress in fishies. But it can just be he has overeaten or is depressed. Both need attention but are treatable. I also think, is he cold?

Sorry

 

[stang1]

PimaFix is for fungal infections. Better to add some aquarium salt for a Betta for possible fungus. Also these products: PimaFix and MelaFix should be reduced for Bettas. It will kill them at the normal doses. I agree: fast a day or two, then try some pea or daphnia, keep the water clean, add some salt. Watch for poo and any symptoms. Then hope he is a strong fellow.

Lying on the side is a pretty universal sign of distress in fishies. But it can just be he has overeaten or is depressed. Both need attention but are treatable. I also think, is he cold?

Sorry

Hi jollysue.
Yes it is my yellow one!
No visible signs of illnes, just keeps sitting on the bottom. I've put him in a tub with shallow water so it's not an effort for him to come up for air. The water temperature is 25C, will this be ok?
Also what salt do I use as I only have coarse sea salt? Will this work and how much do I add please?
Many thanks.
Angie

 

[jollysue]

I use aquarium salt for fresh water. I have heard you can use table salt w/o additives like iodine. I don't know about sea salt. It is good to keep some things on hand--like PimaFix. Aquarium salt is also a good addition to the first aid box. It helps gill function in most distressed fish and is useful preventative to some maladies.

You will have to wait for an answer to the sea salt question--or check in the emergency section or with a good lps.

25 C. is fine. Keep the temp stable.

If he is showing some skin malady like a fungus. I should not steer you from an anti fungal med. But usually a good diagnosis comes before medication.

I really am only so so with fish illness. I have some victories, but lots of losses, so please go ahead and find a more experienced mentor.

 

[stang1]

I use aquarium salt for fresh water. I have heard you can use table salt w/o additives like iodine. I don't know about sea salt. It is good to keep some things on hand--like PimaFix. Aquarium salt is also a good addition to the first aid box. It helps gill function in most distressed fish and is useful preventative to some maladies.

You will have to wait for an answer to the sea salt question--or check in the emergency section or with a good lps.

25 C. is fine. Keep the temp stable.

If he is showing some skin malady like a fungus. I should not steer you from an anti fungal med. But usually a good diagnosis comes before medication.

I really am only so so with fish illness. I have some victories, but lots of losses, so please go ahead and find a more experienced mentor.

Thanks jollysue.
Wilder had replied to one of my other posts and suggested doing the same. I added some salt to the water about 45 minutes ago and he's bucked up! He's not sitting on the bottom and he's swimming about a bit now.
Thanks for responding, I was going crazy with worry. I couldn't even eat my tea I was so worried about him.
Fingers crossed!

 

[jollysue]

I'm very glad he's bucked up. Pleas keep us posted on your yellow boy.

 

[stang1]

Hi jollysue,
He's the same as he was yesterday, just sitting on the bottom of the tank again. I've changed his water and kept it shallow so he hasn't got to make much effort. I've treated his water again and just keeping my fingers crossed.
I feel so helpless just watching him, but I'm hoping he's a little fighter, literally.
I'll keep you posted, fingers crossed.

 

[jollysue]

Yes it is tough to have so little control when there is so much responsibility and so much at stake. Have you tried putting another fish or a mirror or anything new and interesting near his tank. Betta do get depressed. That is one reason we often ask is anything new in or near the tank.

God bless the little fighter.