Need some help with this one...

[Kara101584]

Well, I've started a Betta Fad at work, since I brought one of my guys in everyone wants one. Tonight I went to the LFS to pick up a betta for my boss, and came across this poor guy. I didn't think he looked that bad until I got him home... I haven't taken him out of his little cup yet because he has a hard time getting to the surface.
What I've done so far is:
-100% water change
-added aquarium salt
-treated with Bettafix
-added Java Moss to help him reach the surface

Below is a picture of him, does anyone know what could be infecting him? It looks as though he has vertical lines on his body
Any suggestions would be great! I'm hopeing to bring him back to health, then take him in to my boss for her new desk buddy.
Thanks in advance!

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Try and get him him in a much larger tank/container asap and see if he livens up a bit as it could just be the lack of space in the container and/or the stress it will be causing him- but im no expert either on bettas, but it will make his condition easier to assess in a suitable sized tank.

 

[Kiarra]

The vertical lines look like the lines aggressive or breeding females get, and young juvie males get when they're starting to be MEAN. If they are just the coloration like I think they are, then that shouldn't be a sign of any injury or illness at all.

It should be safe to get him into a larger tank, and just add the moss or some platforms if he's having trouble swimming. Or you can keep the water level down fairly low, perhaps a couple inches. I have one who couldn't swim at all, or do anything but lay on his side, when I bought him, and I just kept the water level down to about 2 1/2 - 3 inches, and, when I raised it, I gave him little perches made of a cut plastic water bottle that he could lay on near the surface.

 

[BettaMomma]

He looks really, really pale and washed out to me. But that could be from stress, too.
I'd also agree - get him into a bigger tank and see how he does.
When you put him in, if it seems like he's not warming up to the tank, come back and we can offer you other suggestions.

 

[Kara101584]

Okay, just got my 1/2 gallon tank ready, I'll put him in now... Cross your fingers.

 

[LuBear]

1/2 gallon should be okay... for now. The tanks should be at least 1 gallon... so they have some swimming space to develope their fins.

 

[Kiarra]

How's he doing in his new tank...?

 

[Kara101584]

How's he doing in his new tank...?

So far, same as before.

 

[Kiarra]

So what does he do? Does he float? Does he lay on the bottom? Is he just sluggish?

 

[Kara101584]

Lays at the bottom, moves sometimes... very sluggish.
Hasn't eaten.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

I'd just leave him in his tank for a bit, turing of any lighting you have will also be good for him for settling into his new tank as it will lower his stress levels. I'd try not to give him too many meds as this will cause him more stress if its just a case of him needing time to settle in .
What have you tried to feed him so far?

 

[Kiarra]

Give him time. Sometimes it's just really hard to go to a new home for these little guys.

If he's not flopping over, or having trouble either reaching the top or reaching the bottom, then he's PROBABLY all right.

 

[Kara101584]

I'd just leave him in his tank for a bit, turing of any lighting you have will also be good for him for settling into his new tank as it will lower his stress levels. I'd try not to give him too many meds as this will cause him more stress if its just a case of him needing time to settle in .
What have you tried to feed him so far?

I've given him some aquarium salt and Bettafix.
Lowered the water in the tank and added plants for support.... We'll see what he looks like in the morning.

 

[Allie]

He's beautiful and I hope he makes it!

 

[ravekiss]

His color is going to be gorgeous once he pulls thru...