Ill Betta...

[Arashi]

I wasn't quite sure whether to put this in Emergencies or here, but I decided on here, because there always seems to be more people here...

One of my CT Bettas, Mantas, has been looking a bit under the weather the past two weeks. At first he was just acting sorta sluggish, but was still eating and swimming...then he started to just lay on the gravel but would still eat, and would go nutty for the bloodworms and brine shrimp I gave him...and now...

Now, he's losing color, does nothing but lay on the gravel, and his breathing does not look normal at all.

He did share a 2.5 divided tank with my Combtail, Seto, but today I removed him to his own 1 gallon, as he's looking absolutely horrible. Thing is, even though he and Seto shared the same tank, and there are slits in the divider, Seto is perfectly healthy. I have no idea whats wrong with the little guy.

I've been treating him with salt and Stresscoat at the moment, but I don't wanna go overboard with the meds if I can help it...I know thats not healthy either. I have a few other meds here like Melafix and Pimafix, and I am willing to make a run to the pet store if I have to, so if anyone can help me out, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks guys.

 

[juliethegr8t]

This just happened to me a few days ago with one of my guys. Have you checked REALLY closely for velvet?? It can be super hard to see on some fish, like mine. I didn't realize he had it till I got out the flashlight and stuck my nose and inch from his tank. If that's not the case, I shall continue asking diagnostic questions! Good luck girl, I know how much you care about them.

 

[Arashi]

Thanks Julie.

After reading your post, I checked and rechecked him for velvet, and couldn't find a trace of it on him.

What I did find though, was a whole lot nastier...there is this wound (for lack of a better word) on his right side right under his gill. Since he had been laying on his sides I really didn't notice this till now. It's really quite gross looking...it looks like a chunk of his flesh is gone...the scales around it are all red and inflammed, and right in the middle there seems to be this darker red, which I can only assume is blood. Could he have some sort of gill flukes or some sort of external parasite? I've never delt with either, so I really don't know what I'm looking for here.

 

[Sorrell]

I'd do salt and macaryn II if I am understanding your description correctly. I'd also try to drop some bloodworms in front of his face with a baster to see if you can get him to eat even a little. I think sometimes they want to eat, but don't have the strength to get to it. Maybe lower the water level too so he doesn't have to expend as much energy coming up for air

 

[Arashi]

Thanks, Sorrell.

I've already got the water level lowered halfway down the tank, but I haven't seen him come up yet. I've got salt in the tank, and I just put a small dose of Macaryn II in as well. I've got bloodworms thawing out for him. I hope the little guy makes it.

 

[cutechic]

I don't have any advice to give that Julie & Sorrell haven't covered, but I hope your guy pulls through for you. Good luck with him.

 

[Arashi]

Aww, thanks, cutechic. That means a lot.

Well, just an update on the little guy, he did eat some bloodworms last night, so that was good. But then this morning when I looked in on him, he looked even worse then before, and now his scales are beginning to stick up along his back. I really don't know what to do here, this is absolutely breaking my heart to have to watch him go through this.

 

[juliethegr8t]

If he's beginning to get drospy, you're using the correct medicine with Maracyn Two. I've actually had success with it when my platy had dropsy, so don't lose hope. Keep his water extra clean, and we're all sending our best wishes.

 

[Arashi]

Well, despite everything, I came home from work today to find the little guy dead. This is so depressing. He was such a young fish and he fought his desease till the very end. You will be missed my little friend.

Thanks for all your help Julie and Sorrell, and for the well wishes cutechic...you girls are the best.

Mantas

 

[Sorrell]

I'm sorry, sometimes no matter what we do they just can't hang on

 

[cutechic]

I'm sorry hun.

 

[Wisperian]

Awww its okay Arashi I'm sure Mantas lived a good life!

 

[Arashi]

Thanks everyone. Yeah, he will definitely be missed.

The cruddy thing, is that today, I found my huge half-giant female Polaris dead...old age for her, but it's still hard to lose 'em. This sucks...the worst part of fishkeeping.

 

[shrks1fan]

I'm so sorry to hear of your losses...it is weird how unrelated deaths seem to come together...I've had that happen to me where 2 fish would die of totally different reasons, too sad

Linda

 

[cometcattle]

I'm sorry Arashi.