JenniferRose
Mostly New Member
So I've been dealing with a sick betta for a couple weeks now, and started a round of Antibiotics (Erthromycin) last week. I removed the carbon, treated for 2 days, did a 25% water change, treated for 2 more days, did another 25% change and replaced the carbon in the filter. I've seen no change, he's maybe even worse as he's having a hard time swimming.
Symptoms that make me think its internal bacterial infection:
He's still listless, laying on his side (usually on the bottom, right now he's on a leaf) and pale. When he tries to swim to eat he sinks almost immediately. He sleeps all day unless he hears me (If I set something down nearby, ect) then he kind of flounders in place a while as if he's trying to swim over. I'm amazed he's still hanging on, honestly.
I'm feeding him peas, as it was suggested that could help. But now he's barely able to eat. He's hungry, but he has a very very hard time getting TO the food.
A few times I've thought he was dead and stared for 10 minutes looking for any movement. Eventually I lift the lid, tap a little.. nothing. (I avoid tapping on the glass, but its better than poking him) I wiggle the tank, nothing. Suddenly he'll spring to awareness and flounder. Poor thing is just really sick.
He's in a 2.5 mini bow with 2 live plants and 2 artificial non-abrasive plants.
Should I continue with the antibiotic treatment for another round? I've checked water parameters using the API water test kit (not strips) and ALL parameters are maintaining perfect. PH, Ammonia, Nitrites and Nitrates are all right where they should be.
Yesterday I found a wasp (yes one of those mean little stinging bugs!) attached to his filter at the intake.
I don't know how long its been there as it was toward the back corner. Could this have been a root of my issue or just a weird coincidence? Once I found it I did a 25% water change. It's just the most random what the heck moment!
Symptoms that make me think its internal bacterial infection:
He's still listless, laying on his side (usually on the bottom, right now he's on a leaf) and pale. When he tries to swim to eat he sinks almost immediately. He sleeps all day unless he hears me (If I set something down nearby, ect) then he kind of flounders in place a while as if he's trying to swim over. I'm amazed he's still hanging on, honestly.
I'm feeding him peas, as it was suggested that could help. But now he's barely able to eat. He's hungry, but he has a very very hard time getting TO the food.
A few times I've thought he was dead and stared for 10 minutes looking for any movement. Eventually I lift the lid, tap a little.. nothing. (I avoid tapping on the glass, but its better than poking him) I wiggle the tank, nothing. Suddenly he'll spring to awareness and flounder. Poor thing is just really sick.
He's in a 2.5 mini bow with 2 live plants and 2 artificial non-abrasive plants.
Should I continue with the antibiotic treatment for another round? I've checked water parameters using the API water test kit (not strips) and ALL parameters are maintaining perfect. PH, Ammonia, Nitrites and Nitrates are all right where they should be.
Yesterday I found a wasp (yes one of those mean little stinging bugs!) attached to his filter at the intake.
I don't know how long its been there as it was toward the back corner. Could this have been a root of my issue or just a weird coincidence? Once I found it I did a 25% water change. It's just the most random what the heck moment!
