What's new
By:
Filters

Concerned my fish is dying

L

livelifefull44

New Member
Joined
Jan 27, 2018
Messages
6
Reaction score
0
Hi there!
My name is Jill and I think my fish is sick. He looks sort of dull in colour and lately he's been laying at the bottom of his tank, not moving much. He can't swim well as we think he has a swim bladder disorder but he used to get around fine still until now! He's not interested in eating or swimming up to his leaves to lay in them. Have tested water levels and ammonia and nitrite are both at 0, nitrate is probably around 10-20 though the test is a little confusing.

Can any one offer any suggestions?

Also could it be old age? I got him about two years ago and I'm sure he was already an adult when I got him.

Thank you
 
livelifefull44 said:
Hi there!
My name is Jill and I think my fish is sick. He looks sort of dull in colour and lately he's been laying at the bottom of his tank, not moving much. He can't swim well as we think he has a swim bladder disorder but he used to get around fine still until now! He's not interested in eating or swimming up to his leaves to lay in them. Have tested water levels and ammonia and nitrite are both at 0, nitrate is probably around 10-20 though the test is a little confusing.

Can any one offer any suggestions?

Also could it be old age? I got him about two years ago and I'm sure he was already an adult when I got him.

Thank you
Click to expand...
What species is he? What set up is he in? does he live with any other fish? Give us the details
 
Says the server can't upload the pictures because they're too large, so I'll try taking more pictures a little later on. Because he has black sand in his tank and half of his is very dark it makes it really hard to even get good pictures of him. He's a betta (not the wild type) and I've had him about two years now I'd say, though I do believe he was already an adult so probably around 3-4 years? Maybe older? He was originally kept in a small candle bowl until I learnt that these were no longer deemed suitable for bettas so I cycled a 5 gallon tank for him and added him once ammonia and nitrite was at 0. His tank is heated though lately it doesn't feel like it's heating properly even though I've felt the heater and it was definitely on. He does not live with any other tank mates.
 
Can you please answer the following questions. I know you have provided some answers to my questions but I need more information

How big is the tank?
Has it got a heater? What is it set to?
Has it got a filter?
How strong is the current?
Is it cycled?
How often do you change water?
How much water do you change?
Do you vacuum the substrate?
What additives or chemicals do you use? Eg De Chlorinator?
Do you use tap or bottled water? If bottled water please give us the brand.
Do you have a water test kit?
Can you tell us the readings for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate?
When you clean the tank can you tell us exactly what you do.
What do you feed him? how much? how often?
Any tank mates? What sort how many?
How long have you had the Betta?
Has he got a history of illness?
Any plants or decorations? Please give details?
Can you provide a close up photo of the fish?
Can you provide a photo of the tank?
 
http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/...610_553465578359931_6434117361302600000_o.jpg
http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/...610_553465578359931_6434117361302600000_o.jpg

How big is the tank? it's 5 gallons or 20 litres
Has it got a heater? What is it set to? 26 degrees
Has it got a filter? Yes
How strong is the current? the current is strong enough that he gets a little pushed back by it, its a filter that came with the tank
Is it cycled? yes
How often do you change water? Once a week
How much water do you change? 10-25%
Do you vacuum the substrate? yes i use a siphoner
What additives or chemicals do you use? Eg De Chlorinator? api tap water conditioner, i used quick start to speed up the process because it took over 6 months to cycle
Do you use tap or bottled water? If bottled water please give us the brand. tap water
Do you have a water test kit? yes
Can you tell us the readings for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate? ammonia is 0 and im unsure of the exact reading for nitrite and nitrate, i have attached two pictures of the readings
When you clean the tank can you tell us exactly what you do. i take him out with a net and put him in a little container with his own tank water in there and i get the siphoner and a bucket and vaccum up as much food hes missed or poop as i can without draining too much water, i empty the bucket, the put tap water in, then tap water conditioner and pour it back into the tank. I wait a few minutes and put him back inside his tank.
What do you feed him? how much? how often? Im unsure of the brand of betta pellets he has because he was a gift and the food was given in an unmarked container from a pet shop
Any tank mates? What sort how many? no tank mates
How long have you had the Betta? for about two years going on three in june
Has he got a history of illness? he lived in just a bowl for his first two years with my family and i because we werent aware that bettas couldnt live in bowls anymore. He developed a weird sinking when he tried to swim to the surface. He swims to the top in a quick burst of speed for air, then just sinks back down and lays on his side for a bit. I thought moving him to a tank with a heater and filter and much better quality water would improve his swimming and though he did get stronger he still couldnt avoid sinking.
Any plants or decorations? Please give details? he only has one large plant thats fake, all sharp bits have been filed down and he used to love laying in the leaves
Can you provide a close up photo of the fish? yes
http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/...829_553467291693093_3907805927869178036_o.jpg
http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/...646_553467238359765_7472809344906944876_o.jpg
 
He honestly could just be getting old. Betta only usually live for roughly three years. Him not being able to stay up seems to be a problem with his swim bladder. The only thing that can help that is time. Keep his water clean and try feeding him skinned cooked peas. Add a small amount of aquarium salt that may help.
 
The Nitrite is .25 or a little above. This could be a problem.
The Nitrate is about 5 ish

A water change can fix that. 60% as soon as you can. You might consider lowering the water level in the tank so its easier for him to reach the top.

Taking the fish out to do water changes causes more harm than good it stresses the fish.

I do 50% water changes without removing the fish.

His tank is heated though lately it doesn't feel like it's heating properly even though I've felt the heater and it was definitely on

Has it got a heater? What is it set to? 26 degrees
Click to expand...
Are you sure of this have you used a thermometer to check.

What do you feed him? how much? how often? Im unsure of the brand of betta pellets he has because he was a gift and the food was given in an unmarked container from a pet shop
Click to expand...
How long have you been feeding him these mystery pellets?

Sorry I have no idea whats wrong with him just trying to eliminate things that could be a cause.
 
With closer inspection I can now see he's a bit pineconned and has some scales missing and I'm convinced he has dropsy :( I soaked him in an epson salt bath for 15 minutes but his condition just seems to be worsening so I think it's dropsy combined with old age and I'm not too optimistic about his future, sadly.
 
UPDATE: Unfortunately he didn't make it through the night and passed away. Thank you for your suggestions. RIP Bishie :( (Yes that was his name)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

N
Minnows unwell
Replies
1
Views
111
Newminnow
N
C
15 ish fish, all pointed down?
Replies
5
Views
492
GaryE
GaryE
O
Vieja Synspilum issue
Replies
6
Views
612
Colin_T
Colin_T
A
Red spot on rainbow fish.
Replies
11
Views
532
CassCats
CassCats
C
Help me save my betta fish
Replies
4
Views
541
Lcc86
L

Most reactions

Useful Links

Back
Top