Help! I think my betta is sick!

Grace Lee · 04-02-2007, 10:24 AM

Hello! Glad to have found an active betta board!

On 3/30 I purchased a really beautiful turquoise and red butterfly crowntail from a reputable pet store (not Petco or PetDumb). I put him into a 2 gallon aquarium with another crowntail (tank has divider) and they had a good time flaring and making faces for a few hours. But, the next morning, the new fish was listless, would not eat and was laying at the bottom of the tank with fins clamped. I immediately pulled his tank mate out and put him into his own 1 gallon aquarium (and he's doing fine, no signs of illness).

However, the new butterfly still has me concerned. Unlike my other fish, he lays on the bottom of the tank, only coming up to get a breath of air when he needs it. His breathing looks labored at times, and while he on the rare occassion shows interest in food (betta pellets), he only eats it off the bottom, and after a few mintues, flares and then works hard to spit it back out. I also noticed last night that he's striking and holding some rather spastic looking poses, back arched, head turned to the side. However, he's not rubbing himself against anything like he's irritated or itchy, and I see no marks or bumps, or cuts on his body, no torn or stringy fins, nothing...he just isn't acting right. Any help is greatly appreciated, as I really don't want to lose this fish! Thanks!

dlee9707 · 04-02-2007, 03:01 PM

Do you have any surface agitation in the tank? If hes gulping air, sounds like low 02 in the water... Add an airstone or position water level so filter output (if you have one) creates some agitation.

Sniperelite8243 · 04-02-2007, 07:19 PM

it sounds like he is really really really ( just think of the word like, 20 more times ) stressed. i made the mistake and they both died of stress. same symptoms. add just stress coat to the tanks and keep them SEPERATED. they lived for an week about.

good luck

Grace Lee · 04-03-2007, 01:05 PM

Thank you so much to all who posted! It's good to know people like you are out there!

Happily, the problem seems to have fixed itself!

(Knock on wood) Last night he was actually swimming around the tank! And, he even ate part of a blood worm! This morning, still swimming, watching the other bettas in the tank next to his, and he ate 5 betta pellets! He's actually looking good, so I think perhaps he was stressed.

I'm going to have to clean his tank soon though...I hope it doens't send him into a relapse! Any tips? Thanks again!

dlee9707 · 04-03-2007, 03:32 PM

Don't feed 5 betta pellets, best tip i can give you. Weekly 30% water change should be good.

Have a filter in there?

Grace Lee · 04-04-2007, 10:33 AM

Thank you again. No, the tank is not filtered, but it is 2.5 gallons. And how many pellets should he be fed? I was following the directions on the little plastic jar of food. Changed the water and washed everything good last night,and the fish is still doing super! Even flaring at the other fish he can see from his tank!