Betta Disease

[Valkyrie]

Browsing one of the smaller fish forums I'm a part of, I noticed this post on a sick betta; unfortunately, I'm pretty much the only one on there who knows what I'm doing, so I answer most of the questions, but I'm not sure about this one. Can anyone help me out?

"My other fish a Siamese fighter is about 18 months old and his tail floats on its side. The other day he was twitching himself going around his tank. is it because hes old? pls help."

 

[FishEnthusiast]

I have heard that twitching can be a sign of velvet. Have the poster check with a flashlight. I am not sure about the tail floating on it's side. I suppose that could be from old age. I can't picture what a tail floating on it's side would even look like.

 

[WILDER]

Could be a parasite ask if the fish is heavy breathing and flicking and rubbing on objects, any yellow to golden dust on them, or grains of salt, or red inflamed gills.

 

[black angel]

i would be asking for ammonia and nitrite readings and how does she do water changes and is she using dechlorinator. sounds like some form of poisoning.

 

[FishEnthusiast]

i would be asking for ammonia and nitrite readings and how does she do water changes and is she using dechlorinator. sounds like some form of poisoning.

[snapback]858183[/snapback]​

Good idea, I never thought of that.

 

[black angel]

and, whats the temperature at, if its too cold then their little bodies can shut down especially if using water thats too cold when changing as the shock could be pretty bad.

 

[WILDER]

First rule always ask for water stats, i forgot, black angel is right as bad water quality can make them flick and rub and such.