My betta is curved and can’t swim well.

[Bmccarte]

My poor guy has been curved in a u sharp and hanging only at the top of the tank for a month. I thought it was swim bladder disease but I tried the fasting and the peas and daphnia food multiple times and he still is like this. Even epsom salt bath didn’t work. Water parameters are where they should be except the ph is only thing high, but our water is hard. I’ve had him for 6 months and no issues. The only change a month ago was when the weather was extremely hot and multiple days his tank temp rose to close to 90 degrees. Any ideas what this could be?

 

[FishFinatic77]

When was the last time you did a water change?
Bettas need soft water to survive, so you have to mix in some Reverse Osmosis water to lower the hardness. Soft water fish living in hard water will cause lots of problems.

 

[Bmccarte]

When was the last time you did a water change?
Bettas need soft water to survive, so you have to mix in some Reverse Osmosis water to lower the hardness. Soft water fish living in hard water will cause lots of problems.

I do weekly 25% water changes. I’ve had him for 6 months and take care and test water regularly. I asked someone at PetSmart yesterday what it may be and he said he may have injured himself and damaged his swim bladder. He said he had a betta get like that and he died after a couple months. Said best is to just keep him comfortable. Breaks my heart seeing him like that. He still eats but not active at all.

 

[FishFinatic77]

It is possible that he damaged his swim bladder, in which case there is not much you can do. If you want, you could try putting some aquarium salt into the tank. I don't know if it would do much, but I think at this point it's worth a try.