What's Wrong With My Betta?.

[Dorri]

Grumpy is my Betta. Little guy is almost 4 years old. Lately he is hanging around the bottom a lot. The last two days he's been positioning himself in an upright position almost like he is standing. This is so unlike him. What is wrong with him? He still seems to have an appetite and comes up for food but over the last few months seldom swims around anymore?

 

[Amunet]

He's pretty old, and might possibly be dying of old age. If this is the case I'm so sorry

 

[bugsy66]

My longest living betta was 4 yrs old too. He was a veiltail and he was huge. I noticed as he aged and his tail became so long and heavy he did not move around alot. He did eat well but that was about it.

So maybe this is what is happening to your betta as he is 4 yrs old now. As long as he eats, has clean water he will be fine.

 

[hollyp0p]

tail standing I think it when their swim bladder goes, as he is still eating try feeding him some pea....cook it, de shell it and squish it up and feed

 

[Dorri]

tail standing I think it when their swim bladder goes, as he is still eating try feeding him some pea....cook it, de shell it and squish it up and feed

Thanks, I'll try it. I'm cooking up a few now. Do I give him the inside contents of one pea or 2 or more?
What is the pea supposed to do?

 

[joycould]

I give mine 1/2 of the inside of the pea. It will help with digestion and clean him out.

 

[Dorri]

I give mine 1/2 of the inside of the pea. It will help with digestion and clean him out.

Thanks, I just gave mine crushed wee bits, it sinks quickly. He is ignoring it and hasn't moved from the spot on the bottom. There's a tiny piece sitting on a rock right next to his face....hopefully he will eat it? I know he's old but since I had him this long It would be nice to keep him even longer.

 

[liz2]

Sorry, that just sounds like old age. My val I have had 2 years on valentine day. He is very subdued and spends most of his time at the top of with his nose on the gravel. just old age I am afraid

 

[Jaded12]

Does just sound like old age to me as well, you could try fasting him for a few days to see if it helps if it might be a swim bladder problem but I think hes just getting old. Just try keeping him as comfy and happy as possible! Fishy hugs for your old man!

 

[Dorri]

It may be old age. He isn't the vibrant blue he once was, and his finage and tail color looks faded and almost greyish...I've read that isn't from old age, yet grumpy's tail does have a greyish cast, maybe it's just a faded blue. I wish he would revive himself but if he has to go soon...sob.. sob..I just hope he isn't suffering in any way.

 

[Dorri]

I don't know if it's old age? I tried to feed him a little bit of peas a couple nights ago and fasted him last night. I fed him tonight but it looks like he doesn't have enough energy to come up for food or even go after the food that is falling down. However I just walked away and came back and notice he did manage to swim to the top. I don't know if he ate anything? How can you tell the difference between old age and swim bladder disease?