Betta sick @ bottom

[Andrew#33]

Hi everyone
I have had my Beta for a little over a year.
Last week I noticed that she was On the bottom of the tank. And breathing heavily.
I used Betta fix all week and I used the life guard treatment as well.. she got better swimming around came around. Prior to this I Use the my API Test kit and ran every test everything came back normal.
I thought I posted a thread for help on Tuesday but I don't see it. As of Tuesday she is now down at the bottom of a tank again breathing heavy and not eating.
I've been having my wife give her the Beta fix again. I started the lifeguard Treatment again tonight. Thank you for your help!
Andy

 

[Kyshiara]

Tank size, water parameters please!
What do you feed it? How much do you feed?

She looks rather constipated.
Do you have any aquarium salt?

What kind of flow do you have in the tank?

 

[Deleted member 149562]

Please stop using Betta Fix

All so-called "Fix" medications contain unrefined tea tree aromatherapy oil which destroys the labrynth organ of surface breathing fish, causing suffocation and death

Betta are surface breathing and by using the "Fix" medication you are suffocating her. The fact that she has sunk is probably due to her labrynth organ being ruined and she is drowning. Quiet possibly beyond all help as a result, you might want to consider immediate euthanasia.

 

[Kyshiara]

Just do a 90% water change.

 

[betta4ever!]

We need the water parameters. Can't help without them. IMO, there's something bad in the water. Do a 75/% water change, lower the water level and add an air pump. Stop all treatments. What's the tank size and is it filtered- heated?

 

[betta4ever!]

Interesting read about MelaFix- (Same as BettaFix) https://www.fish-as-pets.com/2008/12/melafix-dangers-labyrinth-fish.html?m=1

 

[Andrew#33]

Hey guys
Thank you for your insight. I did test the water with the api test kit all were normal range. I have a 5 gal tank with low flow setting. Saturday I measured out 1 tablespoon of Epson salt and put it in the tank. I had to leave out of town Saturday night and came home tonight(Tuesday) sadly she passed away.... my parents checked on her on Sunday night said she was still at the bottom breathing heavily.

What I don't under is why did she bounce back to her normal self after treatment of the betta fix and life guard? Then a week later we were in the same boat.. This sucks..
My wife's cousin gave us another betta before Layla and he passed away. I didn't know how to treat him. I did everything I could. I Wanted to try this again I made sure I bought the right size tank. He was given a 3 gal so I made sure I got a 5gal
. Did a ton of research even setup the tank a week before I went out and got her. I truly tried wanted to give her the best life.
Someone asked what I was feeding her. I use the API tropical flakes I used bug bites flakes. And the Aqueon betta pebbles
Again appreciate your time and wisdom everyone thank you
Andy

 

[betta4ever!]

So sorry for your loss.... Please try not to blame yourself too much...

 

[Valkyrie_Lips]

I've read that epsom salts shouldn't be used in the main tank. It is more commonly used for salt dips to help with constipation. If one does use epsom salt it should be no more than 1/4-1/2 tsp per 10 gallons. The epsom salt overdose may have contributed to your fish's death.

I would never suggest dosing medication unless you are certain that you know what you are treating. Medication can put a lot of stress on the fish which lowers their immune system and ability to fight off whatever sickness they are dealing with. Often times increasing your water changes and doing a really good clean of the tank for a week can remove harmful pathogens and help a fish recover. This is especially effective if the issue is water quality and/or not enough water changes which can also lead to sickness in fish. Only if the water changes didn't help would I even consider medication or salt.

You don't mention your maintenance schedule. How often and how much water were you changing in that tank?