Sick Betta

[halfbloodprincess]

I went to feed my one of my bettas this morning and found him at the bottom of the tank. I thought he was dead so I shook the tank slightly and he tried to swim but he had a really hard time. He trys to swim to the top like to eat and take gulps of air, but it is really difficult for him. What do you think is wrong with him?

 

[rdd1952]

I have had the same problem with my betta but I'm now convinced that his problem is age. How long have you had him? Bettas can live from 2 to 5 years but most store bought bettas live closer to 2 or 3 years and are most likely between 6 months to a year old before you buy them.

If you don't think it's an age thing, it could be swim bladder or constipation. You might want to try lowering the water level some to make it easier for him to get to the top. Also feed him a cooked, pea with the hull removed. Just mush it up good and drop it in the tank. Peas are a good laxitive and will usually clear up constipation and get him going again.

 

[WILDER]

Is the fish bloated.
Swim bladder to constpation.
What do you feed the fish.
Rdd1952 beat me to it.

 

[halfbloodprincess]

I moved him to a shorter tank. The water is way lower than the other tank he was in. I think that is helping. He is only 1 and a half to 2 years old. I normally feed him a betta pellet every day and a couple blood worms. I will try to feed him the pea.

 

[WILDER]

To high pretein diet.
Leave the bloodworms out for a while.
Need more veg in his diet, and frozen foods.

 

[rdd1952]

As menioned, bloodworms are very high in protein and can lead to constipation if fed too much. I would guess that is the problem. Try the pea and don't feed anything else for a couple days and then just give a blood worm 1 or 2 times week along with the veggies and other frozen foods mentioned. I usually feed mine Hikari Betta Bio-Gold, a couple a day, and then some frozen brine shrimp, bloodworms, daphnia or mosquito larva a couple times a week as a treat.

 

[halfbloodprincess]

I dont have any peas. He seems to be ok besides the fact that he cant swim to the top very well. So what should I do?

 

[rdd1952]

Pick up a can of green peas at the grocery store. It's somewhat of a waste if you don't like to eat them (I don't) but they will work. I always try to find a brand that has no salt and sugar in them. They aren't terribly expensive. Usually less than a dollar. Just withhold food until you can get some (hopefully no longer than 2 or 3 days).

 

[halfbloodprincess]

ok

Hopefully my betta will be fine.

 

[knt5005]

A bag of frozen peas is like....89 cents.

 

[rdd1952]

A bag of frozen peas is like....89 cents.

That's even better as you can refreeze the rest until next time. I'll have to buy those time.

 

[l.michelle]

If he can't make it to the surface, you might want to consider moving him to somthing smaller/shallower. I had to do that to one of my boys, because he couldn't get to the top, he would try, then would fall down.

 

[bubblesburst80]

I can't add any more advice - you've had loads of great things said already, just hope that yoour betta will be ok, sure if you do all you can he will do his best to pull through

xXX

 

[Lynda B]

Bettas don't come up for a breath as often as you think they might. We actually timed one of my females the other day, and she took a good 20 minutes between breaths.

If you fuss over him, you'll stress him more. I'd give him the pea, when you can, turn off his lights and let him rest. He'll be fine with whatever indirect light he's getting for a couple of days.

 

[halfbloodprincess]

No, just when he trys to take a gulp or trys to eat the food I give him he cant get to the top. It seems that he is having a hard time swimming too. His back is a little curved now that I take a good look at him up close. I have left him alone these past few days to see if he will get better, but he just seems the same every day. I guess I will have to wait and see how this turns out.