My new Betta is sick

[Castiel317]

Hello, can someone please help me? I bought this adorable, little cutie pie, 3 days ago from PetSmart, and my little water warrior is sick. On his ride to his new home I thought he died!! He definitely has swim bladder disease, but I’m starting to think it’s caused by something else. He has a little bulge on his side by his tail, does he have parasites?I have him in a temporary little fish bowl, just until he’s feeling better. I gave him a little bit of a frozen pea, but still nothing. He is absolutely gorgeous, his colors are amazing, and he has pretty blue eyes. I’ve been playing with a few names, trying to find the perfect name for him, Finnly, Duncan, or Castiel. I also included pics from his first night.

 

[AdoraBelle Dearheart]

The temporary small bowl is more likely to kill him than make him feel better. Why not put him in a real tank?

Did you use water conditioner? Have you changed the water since getting him? Did you use water conditioner, and did you cycle a tank or have a filter?

 

[Alis]

Is he a double tail? Those ones are extra prone to swim bladder and tumors.
I agree, move him out of the bowl.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

Will you please try to get more pictures of him from the side?

 

[HoldenOn]

Yes I used water conditioner, when I put him in his 10 gallon fish tank, he freaked out. He went from this tiny little cup into a huge tank, he calmed down when I put him in this bowl. Yes the tank ran for 24 hours, it has a heater, and there aren’t any fish inside it. I thought that since he is sick, it’s best to not stress him out.

Thats not cycled, and he wasn't stressed, he was exploring. Betta fish are extremely curious and personable. When they "freak out" they will lay on the bottom of the tank and clamp their fins. A cycle can take weeks, you build up bacteria that gets toxins produced by the fish by adding pure ammonia to the tank.
This will explain.

Cycling Your New Fresh Water Tank: Read This First!

Cycling Your First Fresh Water Tank What is Cycling and Why is it Important? Fish waste, and especially fish breathing, plus uneaten food and other organic matter breaking down in a tank all produce Ammonia. This can quickly become toxic to fish if it is allowed to build up to any measurable...

www.fishforums.net

 

[AdoraBelle Dearheart]

Yes I used water conditioner, when I put him in his 10 gallon fish tank, he freaked out. He went from this tiny little cup into a huge tank, he calmed down when I put him in this bowl. Yes the tank ran for 24 hours, it has a heater, and there aren’t any fish inside it. I thought that since he is sick, it’s best to not stress him out.

24 hours is not enough time to cycle a tank. Is there a filter on there? Can you upload a photo of the tank?

It's not likely that he freaked out at the size of the tank. There are plenty of other things that can freak them out, being moved is stressful.

But inside that uncycled bowl, the water is very likely to be toxic already, and that's why he's sick. He needs a filtered, cycled tank and daily water changes with water conditioner and temperature matched to the same temp as the tank.

 

[AdoraBelle Dearheart]

At the least, please change 80% of the water in that tiny vase, and use a water conditioner. Three days in less than a gallon of water means the ammonia levels are probably burning him alive right now.

 

[FishBearer9845]

You will benefit also to moving him to the bigger tank. Invest immediately in the API master kit and test water ammonia, nitrites and nitrates daily, changing at least 50% water, ideally 75% every time the ammonia and nitrites read above 0. You will be doing this for a few weeks. Also what is the temperature of the water? I have a heater in mine, after all they are a tropical fish.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

At the least, please change 80% of the water in that tiny vase, and use a water conditioner. Three days in less than a gallon of water means the ammonia levels are probably burning him alive right now.

Most definitely. The fish shows signs of ammonia burns.

I suggest upgrading to at least a 5g tank ASAP, 10g is preferable.

If you can’t get your hands on the API Master Test Kit, get your LFS to test it, they usually do it for free. Also get some actual numbers, don’t let them tell you “it’s fine”.

 

[Castiel317]

Is he a double tail? Those ones are extra prone to swim bladder and tumors.
I agree, move him out of the bowl.

He freaked out, the other 2 Betta I bought went into fish tanks, the older male went into a tall 5 gallon betta tank, and the little baby is in a 2 gallon, until she gets a bit bigger. They were nervous for a few minutes, but after 10 minutes he was swimming around, and the baby loves her home, but this little guy was freaked out, I even tried turning off the filter for a few minutes, at first he wouldn’t move, his gills were rapidly going, then he started diving down head first, flipped over, the same thing my first betta did right before she died. I learned that lesson the hard way with my first Betta, so when he did the same thing, I thought it would be best not to wait any longer, and to pull him out immediately. I checked the water, and the ph levels, everything was fine. I took out the tank decor, and I’m changing the gravel, that’s why the fish tank is empty right now. Maybe I’m a little cautious, but for right now, while he’s sick, it’s best to keep him where he feels safe, not where I, or others, think he should be. I bought a sick little fish, I want to help him, not kill him.

As soon as he starts to feel better, he’s going to leave is bowl, and we’ll try again. In the meantime, I asked if anyone could help me, with my sick Betta. Instead all I got was judgement on where I put him while he’s sick. I didn’t think I had to explain every single decision I made with him. So to be clear, yes I know about Bettas, I know that they can’t live together, which is why all of my bettas are housed separately, in their very own tanks, no dividers. My little baby girl betta is in a 2 gallon tank right now. I had to go out and buy this one for her, because

24 hours is not enough time to cycle a tank. Is there a filter on there? Can you upload a photo of the tank?

It's not likely that he freaked out at the size of the tank. There are plenty of other things that can freak them out, being moved is stressful.

But inside that uncycled bowl, the water is very likely to be toxic already, and that's why he's sick. He needs a filtered, cycled tank and daily water changes with water conditioner and temperature matched to the same temp as the tank.

I have had him for 3 days. Thank you for assuming that I made the already sick fish, sick!!! First of all, I didn’t go into complete detail about when I put him in the big Tank, because it has nothing to do with him being sick. Second, I have had him for 3 day’s, almost all of the pics I uploaded were from 3 days ago. The night I brought him home, he wasn’t moving at all, his fins were clamped his body was curved and swollen. Again, I’m going to explain every single thing to you, because it is clear to me that you only responded to my post to make accusations, and to talk sh** to me about a decision that I made. You having no clue what happened, because you weren’t here, and thank god, because you would’ve killed my fish. In fact you really shouldn’t “help” anyone!!
Just so that I’m clear, the fish I bought was sick at the store. He was floating on his side, his fins were clamped up, his body was bent, he wasn’t moving. I Was thinking parasites because the cup THEY HAD HIM IN WAS FILTHY. SINCE I HAVE BEEN TAKING CARE OF HIM HE HAS GOTTEN A LITTLE BETTER, BY THAT I MEAN HE IS NO LONGER FLOATING AT THE TOP OF THE TANK WITH HIS BODY BENT. NOW BECAUSE HE IS SICK I DO MAKE SURE THAT HIS WATER STAYS CLEAN, HE DOESN’T GO CRAZY WHEN I CHANGE HIS WATER, JUST SO YOU KNOW, I DO 100% WATER CHANGES FOR HIM, I ALSO KEEP HIS WATER NEAR A LITTLE HEATER AND I CHECK THE TEMP TO MAKE SURE IT DOESN’T GET TO HOT. THESE ARE QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD’VE ASKED BEFORE MAKING STUPID COMMENTS TO SOMEONE YOU’VE NEVER MET!!!

 

[HoldenOn]

He freaked out, the other 2 Betta I bought went into fish tanks, the older male went into a tall 5 gallon betta tank, and the little baby is in a 2 gallon, until she gets a bit bigger. They were nervous for a few minutes, but after 10 minutes he was swimming around, and the baby loves her home, but this little guy was freaked out, I even tried turning off the filter for a few minutes, at first he wouldn’t move, his gills were rapidly going, then he started diving down head first, flipped over, the same thing my first betta did right before she died. I learned that lesson the hard way with my first Betta, so when he did the same thing, I thought it would be best not to wait any longer, and to pull him out immediately. I checked the water, and the ph levels, everything was fine. I took out the tank decor, and I’m changing the gravel, that’s why the fish tank is empty right now. Maybe I’m a little cautious, but for right now, while he’s sick, it’s best to keep him where he feels safe, not where I, or others, think he should be. I bought a sick little fish, I want to help him, not kill him.

As soon as he starts to feel better, he’s going to leave is bowl, and we’ll try again. In the meantime, I asked if anyone could help me, with my sick Betta. Instead all I got was judgement on where I put him while he’s sick. I didn’t think I had to explain every single decision I made with him. So to be clear, yes I know about Bettas, I know that they can’t live together, which is why all of my bettas are housed separately, in their very own tanks, no dividers. My little baby girl betta is in a 2 gallon tank right now. I had to go out and buy this one for her, because

I have had him for 3 days. Thank you for assuming that I made the already sick fish, sick!!! First of all, I didn’t go into complete detail about when I put him in the big Tank, because it has nothing to do with him being sick. Second, I have had him for 3 day’s, almost all of the pics I uploaded were from 3 days ago. The night I brought him home, he wasn’t moving at all, his fins were clamped his body was curved and swollen. Again, I’m going to explain every single thing to you, because it is clear to me that you only responded to my post to make accusations, and to talk sh** to me about a decision that I made. You having no clue what happened, because you weren’t here, and thank god, because you would’ve killed my fish. In fact you really shouldn’t “help” anyone!!
Just so that I’m clear, the fish I bought was sick at the store. He was floating on his side, his fins were clamped up, his body was bent, he wasn’t moving. I Was thinking parasites because the cup THEY HAD HIM IN WAS FILTHY. SINCE I HAVE BEEN TAKING CARE OF HIM HE HAS GOTTEN A LITTLE BETTER, BY THAT I MEAN HE IS NO LONGER FLOATING AT THE TOP OF THE TANK WITH HIS BODY BENT. NOW BECAUSE HE IS SICK I DO MAKE SURE THAT HIS WATER STAYS CLEAN, HE DOESN’T GO CRAZY WHEN I CHANGE HIS WATER, JUST SO YOU KNOW, I DO 100% WATER CHANGES FOR HIM, I ALSO KEEP HIS WATER NEAR A LITTLE HEATER AND I CHECK THE TEMP TO MAKE SURE IT DOESN’T GET TO HOT. THESE ARE QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD’VE ASKED BEFORE MAKING STUPID COMMENTS TO SOMEONE YOU’VE NEVER MET!!!

Can we get a mod in on this lol. @Byron can give you thousands of reasons why a small bowl with clown puke gravel is not a great place for a fish .

 

[Castiel317]

Most definitely. The fish shows signs of ammonia burns.

I suggest upgrading to at least a 5g tank ASAP, 10g is preferable.

If you can’t get your hands on the API Master Test Kit, get your LFS to test it, they usually do it for free. Also get some actual numbers, don’t let them tell you “it’s fine”.
[/QUOTE
Today is the third day I have had him. The cup they had him in was filthy. I couldn’t leave him there. I’m going to try to put him back in the tank today, but just so there is no confusion, because he’s sick and he’s in a bowl I do a 100% water change for him, he actually seems okay with me doing it. I’m worried that he might have a parasite. I knew he was sick when I bought him. I just didn’t know with what.

 

[EllRog]

He freaked out, the other 2 Betta I bought went into fish tanks, the older male went into a tall 5 gallon betta tank, and the little baby is in a 2 gallon, until she gets a bit bigger. They were nervous for a few minutes, but after 10 minutes he was swimming around, and the baby loves her home, but this little guy was freaked out, I even tried turning off the filter for a few minutes, at first he wouldn’t move, his gills were rapidly going, then he started diving down head first, flipped over, the same thing my first betta did right before she died. I learned that lesson the hard way with my first Betta, so when he did the same thing, I thought it would be best not to wait any longer, and to pull him out immediately. I checked the water, and the ph levels, everything was fine. I took out the tank decor, and I’m changing the gravel, that’s why the fish tank is empty right now. Maybe I’m a little cautious, but for right now, while he’s sick, it’s best to keep him where he feels safe, not where I, or others, think he should be. I bought a sick little fish, I want to help him, not kill him.

As soon as he starts to feel better, he’s going to leave is bowl, and we’ll try again. In the meantime, I asked if anyone could help me, with my sick Betta. Instead all I got was judgement on where I put him while he’s sick. I didn’t think I had to explain every single decision I made with him. So to be clear, yes I know about Bettas, I know that they can’t live together, which is why all of my bettas are housed separately, in their very own tanks, no dividers. My little baby girl betta is in a 2 gallon tank right now. I had to go out and buy this one for her, because

I have had him for 3 days. Thank you for assuming that I made the already sick fish, sick!!! First of all, I didn’t go into complete detail about when I put him in the big Tank, because it has nothing to do with him being sick. Second, I have had him for 3 day’s, almost all of the pics I uploaded were from 3 days ago. The night I brought him home, he wasn’t moving at all, his fins were clamped his body was curved and swollen. Again, I’m going to explain every single thing to you, because it is clear to me that you only responded to my post to make accusations, and to talk sh** to me about a decision that I made. You having no clue what happened, because you weren’t here, and thank god, because you would’ve killed my fish. In fact you really shouldn’t “help” anyone!!
Just so that I’m clear, the fish I bought was sick at the store. He was floating on his side, his fins were clamped up, his body was bent, he wasn’t moving. I Was thinking parasites because the cup THEY HAD HIM IN WAS FILTHY. SINCE I HAVE BEEN TAKING CARE OF HIM HE HAS GOTTEN A LITTLE BETTER, BY THAT I MEAN HE IS NO LONGER FLOATING AT THE TOP OF THE TANK WITH HIS BODY BENT. NOW BECAUSE HE IS SICK I DO MAKE SURE THAT HIS WATER STAYS CLEAN, HE DOESN’T GO CRAZY WHEN I CHANGE HIS WATER, JUST SO YOU KNOW, I DO 100% WATER CHANGES FOR HIM, I ALSO KEEP HIS WATER NEAR A LITTLE HEATER AND I CHECK THE TEMP TO MAKE SURE IT DOESN’T GET TO HOT. THESE ARE QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD’VE ASKED BEFORE MAKING STUPID COMMENTS TO SOMEONE YOU’VE NEVER MET!!!

When asking for advice, members need details on everything to be able to help. Something you might think is irrelevant can actually be relevant and overlooked. Members here only want the best for your fish and to help you, not to offend you and kicking off because you don't like questions isn't going to heal your fish

 

[HoldenOn]

The reason we didn't start naming off medications is because treating betta fish is difficult. Most common medicines coat their labyrinth organ which is what allows them to go up and breath outside air, this can lead to death. There is also no real "cure" for swim bladder disease, the only real thing you can do is feed them peas, like you had said you already did. Had you read the link I provided for you, you would have seen that there is a fundamental problem with how the tank is operating. Because it lacks the proper bacteria to break down fish poo, which releases the toxic chemical ammonia, which in turn means your fish is swimming in acid. Sorry you didn't have the state of mind to google "first steps to setting up a fish tank" before you went out and "saved" the fish.

 

[AdoraBelle Dearheart]

[...]
I didn’t think I had to explain every single decision I made with him. So to be clear, yes I know about Bettas [...]

I have had him for 3 days. Thank you for assuming that I made the already sick fish, sick!!! First of all, I didn’t go into complete detail about when I put him in the big Tank, because it has nothing to do with him being sick. Second, I have had him for 3 day’s, almost all of the pics I uploaded were from 3 days ago. The night I brought him home, he wasn’t moving at all, his fins were clamped his body was curved and swollen. Again, I’m going to explain every single thing to you, because it is clear to me that you only responded to my post to make accusations, and to talk sh** to me about a decision that I made. You having no clue what happened, because you weren’t here, and thank god, because you would’ve killed my fish. In fact you really shouldn’t “help” anyone!!

I wouldn't have killed your fish.

Leaving the ranting and accusations aside, how did you expect us to know what you know, and whether you've tested the water or done water changes, what symptoms he's shown? Your OP showed him in a tiny glass vase with less than a gallon of water, no filter, no heater. You spent time telling us about potential names, not about his current conditions or what you've done/plan to do/your water test results, anything useful to go off.

We're not mind readers. But a tiny vase with neon gravel and you saying you cycled a tank in 24 hours (which is impossible) usually means a fish suffering from ammonia burns and nitrite poisoning.

I asked you a bunch of questions, and you'd vanished. If you hadn't been doing water changes, which you never told us you had - your fish would be close to death by now. We're not able to read your mind, so yes, it looked as though you were killing your fish. Thinking you can cycle a tank in 24 hours is not a sign that you know about the nitrogen cycle...

Congrats on financially supporting the place that is keeping bettas in terrible conditions I guess? Even if you save this one, you've just proven that they can keep bettas in crappy conditions and turn a profit on them, so they'll place an order for even more. If people stopped buying living animals from places like Petsmart, they'd be forced to change their practices.