Treating Bettaboy For Popeye & Ext. Parasites!any Suggestions?

[wendyngd]

Hi-

Well, my Bettaboy was doing fine for a while now and then stopped eating (usually a vacuum-like appetite) a couple of days ago, became lethargic and had a slight swelling in his eyes-looked like early stage of popeye. I immediately changed his water and then started giving him tetracyclline daily. (Since he's in a 2 1/2 gallon bowl, after giving him a whole tablet for 2 days, I decided to give him a half one tonight.)

All of a sudden, when we returned home from our family Passover Seder, Bettaboy started darting around his bowl, practically doing somersaults on his back on the bottom--like he was itching! Couldn't find any specific unusual marks on him--he's pretty multicolored, so it's hard to tell, but I got out my flashlight. I figured it had to be an external parasite of some kind from my research. I was surprised re this because I always add blue Coppersafe after every water change which is supposed to prevent parasites.

After more research, I decided to try the old remedy of aquarium salt and Aquarisol and raised the temp towards 85 degrees F. So I'm praying he feels better. He's just hanging out in a top corner of the bowl against the side.

What I'm not sure about is when to do the next water change. I'm afraid to disturb him further and because I'm medicating him, but I read that if he does have parasites, it's important to clear them out of the bowl.

I have decided that enough is enough--I've had it trying to keep my betta healthy without a filter! I'm looking into one of those small glass 8"x 11"x8 - 3 gallon tank systems with a filter. (I already have the heater).

So let us all prayer for my little guy--he's become such a friend in the five months he's come to live with us--and such a delight.

Thanks. - Wendy

(I'm gonna try to double post this in emergencies & bettas.) fish.gif fish.gif fish.gif sad1.gif sad1.gif unsure.gif sad.gif sad.gif sad.gif huh.gif huh.gif sleep.gif

 

[stang1]

Sounds like you are doing everything you can Wendy.
I'll keep my fingers crossed and hope he gets better soon.

 

[WILDER]

Good Luck.

 

[wendyngd]

Thanks for the love and support..I'm not feeling very hopeful. He doesn't seem to be itchy, but he still hasn't eaten-which really scares me. I hung out with him for a while when I came home from work today--just sat next to his bowl playing with him through the glass--nose to nose-and he was very responsive--JUST STILL NOT EATING. Later he seemed so weary and was pretty unresponsive...I don't know what else to do for him. I don't think I should change water again since I'm medicating him, etc. Any ideas?

I'm encouraged by how Sage has rallied and hoping Bettaboy will do the same..

Love to all,
Wendy

Forgot to say that though he's not eating, he's been consistantly blowing bubbles....?...W.

 

[WILDER]

Darting bad water quality, parasites, to an overdose of meds.
Check the gills over do they look any different.
Whats it look like when he goes to the toilet.

 

[Heather.]

Good Luck..Hope your little Betta gets better.. x

 

[wendyngd]

Hi-

Thanks for all the love and support. He's still pretty listless and not eating!! Hangs out at the top of the bowl amid some of the greenery--blowing bubbles. His eyes still look a little swollen.

But his gills look fine--from what I can see. He's got many shades of coloring so it's hard to notice changes--but I looked at him closely with a flashlight and didn't see any "wildlife" on him, nor any other markings other than the popeye!!

As far as his poop, I vacuumed out the bottom of the bowl last night because it was getting messy with all the uneaten food, poo, and the foam from the tetracycline. I think he had regular, normal poop. I'm not sure. Don't see any today--amid the aquarium salt and crumbs from neglected meals!

Today is the last day of a 5 day treatment of tetracycline. Re medicine poisioning-On a couple of the days, I gave him half a tablet, while on the others I gave him a whole one. And I forget if I have to keep up the aquarisol doses--which I've only been doing for a few days. And then with one day when I added aquarium salt.

I'd like to change his water tomorrow (since the messy meds are finished) but I don't know if it would be a good idea to disturb the little guy vs. having a change of water. ANY SUGGESTIONS ON THIS I'D APPRECIATE>

I really do feel so helpless! I've tried to feed him every kind of fish food (and human food-peas) in the house--and nothing interests him.

I have to say that the only change I made recently is that I started feeding him Hikari betta gold mini-bites--or whatever they're called--after reading about them here. He seemed to like them. Could that have affected him?

I'm going to sleep now--feeling all of your prayers and hugs and love with me. Thanks to all. -Wendy

 

[WILDER]

If the bits are hard soak them before you feed him.
Not good when a fish isn't eating.
So the meds made no difference.
Do a water change and remove it.

 

[wendyngd]

If the bits are hard soak them before you feed him.
Not good when a fish isn't eating.
So the meds made no difference.
Do a water change and remove it.

Thanks Wilder...Did change water this morning and he seemed very happy. He was very personable and responsive as I played with him for a while through the glass. But haven't seen him flash in several days (he usually flashes me in his "hello-hello-Food-yay!" Dance. And he just swims by, around and under the food. I don't understand. He does seem to have some horizontal stripes though.

I agree with you. I'm very scared 'cause he hasn't eaten. I know they say bettas can go for a while without eating, but it's been like 5 days since I've seen him eat!!!So I don't have too much hope. Any good suggestions for "seducing him" into eating?

I so appreciate the support. And Happy Easter!

Love,
Wendy

 

[WILDER]

Only try his favourite foods.
Good luck.