Oliver Can't Swim Properly!
- Thread starter ReiRei
- Start date
Blondielovesfish
Kia Ora
Maybe you could add a bubbler to the tank as well? That may improve oxygen levels and stop him coming to the surface heaps (even though that may be normal in Betta's)
Sorry to hear about Oliver, Mamashack alerted me to this and I will alert Wildbetta too.
If he is remaining at the surface of the water I would tend to think something is potentially not right in the water. Do you have a Water test kit? If so please post the parameters of the water.
How many Platy fry are in with him? I take it you need to feed them, if so how often are you feeding them and what? Are you able to move them into a container floating in another tank for a period of time so you can treat Oliver separately?
I would be tempted to drop the water level so he does not need to struggle to remain at the surface i.e. can just bob his head up, or if you have something he can sit in, even a plant, that will help him.
As MS stated make sure you continue the treatment course. Keep a close eye on him for any extension to his abdomen as it maybe internal parasites although I
at this stage.
Do you have any IAL's or can get hold of some? These assist with the water quality that Bettas like and have natural properties to keep them well.
Please tell us as much as you can about the tank:
Can you also advise how long you have had Sinbad and is there anything different in the tanks (apart from Platy fry)?
Can you action this as it will assist in advising you. Will be back later, but PM me if you need anything urgently so I see it on my return. In the meantime Wildbetta may visit with some insights.
Be aware that sometimes with Bettas the damage can be done prior to us getting them due to the way they are treated and shipped, hopefully this is not the case for Oliver and we can help save him with you.
If he is remaining at the surface of the water I would tend to think something is potentially not right in the water. Do you have a Water test kit? If so please post the parameters of the water.
How many Platy fry are in with him? I take it you need to feed them, if so how often are you feeding them and what? Are you able to move them into a container floating in another tank for a period of time so you can treat Oliver separately?
I would be tempted to drop the water level so he does not need to struggle to remain at the surface i.e. can just bob his head up, or if you have something he can sit in, even a plant, that will help him.
As MS stated make sure you continue the treatment course. Keep a close eye on him for any extension to his abdomen as it maybe internal parasites although I
Do you have any IAL's or can get hold of some? These assist with the water quality that Bettas like and have natural properties to keep them well.
Please tell us as much as you can about the tank:
- Temp
- Substrate
- Ornaments
- Filtration
- How long it has been set up?
- What is your Water Change Schedule, did this co-inside with Oliver becoming ill?
- What do you add to your water when doing Water Changes?
- Anything else you add to the tank?
- Can you post a picture of the tank set up?
Can you also advise how long you have had Sinbad and is there anything different in the tanks (apart from Platy fry)?
Can you action this as it will assist in advising you. Will be back later, but PM me if you need anything urgently so I see it on my return. In the meantime Wildbetta may visit with some insights.
Be aware that sometimes with Bettas the damage can be done prior to us getting them due to the way they are treated and shipped, hopefully this is not the case for Oliver and we can help save him with you.
Sorry it took so long to get back, went to do the water test.
Ammonia: 0ppm
PH: 7.4
Nitrite: 0ppm
Nitrate: 5ppm
There are 5 platy fry in the tank with him, I've been crushing flakes below the waters surface to feed them. I do this once a day. I'm not currently able to move them into a container as the only catching thing I have is a net, and Its far too big.
Oliver has plenty of plants to rest in, and under. Most of which are gathered on half of the tank, at the surface of the water. He's using plants below the surface to wedge himself under occasionally to stop himself having to be at the surface.
I completed the treatment course friday night, I have to wait a week before doing it again.
I'm not sure about IAL's, I live in the middle of nowhere, so will have to see next time I go into town (I'm also attending college, so that makes things harder.)
Temp: 80
Substrate: Gravel
Ornaments: 4 rubber anenomies that are soft, 1 Bridge ornament (Which he uses to wedge himself under), and 1 moss ball, and 3 pebbles.
Filtration: Aqua Internal 100
The tank has been set up since 20th April
My water change schedule is every 6 days - which the filter also gets cleaned aswell. I dont believe it coincided.
I add API Stress Coat+ on every water change.
I agree with you on that fish can be damaged during transet. But also, I practically rescued Oliver from a cup, then from a filterless tank where ammonia levels hit the roof (That was back on the 6th of april)
Tank set up:
Oliver from above:
Oliver from the side: (He's tilting towards the camera in this one, doesnt have much balance.)
I've had Sinbad for roughly two weeks now.
In his tank, there are pebbles, gravel, plants, and one ornament - which was previously in Ollies tank. (I cleaned before changing into Sinbads)
Same filter, same heater.
UPDATE: As I wrote this post and took photos, Oliver is able to go a little below the surface. However him recovering and then getting worse is beginning to be reccuring.
Ammonia: 0ppm
PH: 7.4
Nitrite: 0ppm
Nitrate: 5ppm
There are 5 platy fry in the tank with him, I've been crushing flakes below the waters surface to feed them. I do this once a day. I'm not currently able to move them into a container as the only catching thing I have is a net, and Its far too big.
Oliver has plenty of plants to rest in, and under. Most of which are gathered on half of the tank, at the surface of the water. He's using plants below the surface to wedge himself under occasionally to stop himself having to be at the surface.
I completed the treatment course friday night, I have to wait a week before doing it again.
I'm not sure about IAL's, I live in the middle of nowhere, so will have to see next time I go into town (I'm also attending college, so that makes things harder.)
Temp: 80
Substrate: Gravel
Ornaments: 4 rubber anenomies that are soft, 1 Bridge ornament (Which he uses to wedge himself under), and 1 moss ball, and 3 pebbles.
Filtration: Aqua Internal 100
The tank has been set up since 20th April
My water change schedule is every 6 days - which the filter also gets cleaned aswell. I dont believe it coincided.
I add API Stress Coat+ on every water change.
I agree with you on that fish can be damaged during transet. But also, I practically rescued Oliver from a cup, then from a filterless tank where ammonia levels hit the roof (That was back on the 6th of april)
Tank set up:
Oliver from above:
Oliver from the side: (He's tilting towards the camera in this one, doesnt have much balance.)
I've had Sinbad for roughly two weeks now.
In his tank, there are pebbles, gravel, plants, and one ornament - which was previously in Ollies tank. (I cleaned before changing into Sinbads)
Same filter, same heater.
UPDATE: As I wrote this post and took photos, Oliver is able to go a little below the surface. However him recovering and then getting worse is beginning to be reccuring.
Ok from what I have gathered, Oliver is having issues with his swim bladder and he can't really swim well or even swim down. What do you normally feed Oliver as that can cause a big impact? Swim bladder issues commonly are from constipation/bloating but can be cause by other issues like bacterial infections, trama, or parasites. Has his poop looked pale and stringy or is normal for him? If it is stringy or pale, he could have internal parasites which could cause him to have issues.
Your water parameters and water change schedule all look good so I don't think that is the issue. Having the platy fry in there is an issue to getting him better though since a lot of treatment methods call for fasting to relieve any bloat or constipation and if you are feeding the platy fry then he is getting food too. The fact that he seemed a little better after eating the pea, tells me that he probably is dealing with some bloating/constipation issues that might be the cause behind his swim bladder issue.
My recommendation at this point is to try and find a way to catch the platy fry to put them in a small container to float so Oliver won't get any food for a couple of days. I also recommend adding a small amount of Epsom salt to the tank as that has helped with a lot of similar cases that I have come across. Start with 1 teaspoon per gallon (predissolved) into the tank over the course of an hour. If no improvement is shown by the course of 24 hours, you can up the amount to 3 teaspoons per gallon max. The Epsom must be 100% magnesium sulfate no additives to work. I would also raise the temp to about 82F to see if that helps him out any at all.
If you can not locate any IAL, hardwood leaves like from Oak trees work just as good so you might be able to find some of them. They need to have fallen from the tree and dried then washed off good and left to dry -- then they are good to put into your tank.
Hope this helps and that Oliver starts making a recovery. Keep us posted.
Your water parameters and water change schedule all look good so I don't think that is the issue. Having the platy fry in there is an issue to getting him better though since a lot of treatment methods call for fasting to relieve any bloat or constipation and if you are feeding the platy fry then he is getting food too. The fact that he seemed a little better after eating the pea, tells me that he probably is dealing with some bloating/constipation issues that might be the cause behind his swim bladder issue.
My recommendation at this point is to try and find a way to catch the platy fry to put them in a small container to float so Oliver won't get any food for a couple of days. I also recommend adding a small amount of Epsom salt to the tank as that has helped with a lot of similar cases that I have come across. Start with 1 teaspoon per gallon (predissolved) into the tank over the course of an hour. If no improvement is shown by the course of 24 hours, you can up the amount to 3 teaspoons per gallon max. The Epsom must be 100% magnesium sulfate no additives to work. I would also raise the temp to about 82F to see if that helps him out any at all.
If you can not locate any IAL, hardwood leaves like from Oak trees work just as good so you might be able to find some of them. They need to have fallen from the tree and dried then washed off good and left to dry -- then they are good to put into your tank.
Hope this helps and that Oliver starts making a recovery. Keep us posted.
I feed Oliver Hikari pellets - But I've also read due to a change in ingrediants, wheat flour and MSG I believe, it can sometimes link to problems.
His poop looked fine last time I noticed
One thing I haven't been doing is 'soaking' pellets before hand. Only saw that today, how do you soak them?
I'll try what you suggest, thank you
His poop looked fine last time I noticed
One thing I haven't been doing is 'soaking' pellets before hand. Only saw that today, how do you soak them?
I'll try what you suggest, thank you
Thanks for all the info., this helps and I see Wildbetta has been in so that is good. Sorry to hear Oliver has got worse.
You can soak the pellets in Garlic Juice made by Seachem or plain water, however, starve him for now until we know what is happening for him. I echo what WB says in reference to the platy fry.
You can catch the platy fry in a scoop of some sort, like those you use for measuring ingredients or use a jug, they will often be forced into these by the force of the water entering the vessel as you put it near them. Dropping the water level first can also assist you with this but try not to stress Oliver in your attempts to get the fry. Also, if they are very small I have heard you can use a large siphon tube to suck them up, but I have never really been a fan of this approach for fear of any damage to the fish. If you are stuck though it maybe your only option.
PM me if you want the link from where I get my IAL's from through the mail.
Keep us posted on your progress.
You can soak the pellets in Garlic Juice made by Seachem or plain water, however, starve him for now until we know what is happening for him. I echo what WB says in reference to the platy fry.
You can catch the platy fry in a scoop of some sort, like those you use for measuring ingredients or use a jug, they will often be forced into these by the force of the water entering the vessel as you put it near them. Dropping the water level first can also assist you with this but try not to stress Oliver in your attempts to get the fry. Also, if they are very small I have heard you can use a large siphon tube to suck them up, but I have never really been a fan of this approach for fear of any damage to the fish. If you are stuck though it maybe your only option.
PM me if you want the link from where I get my IAL's from through the mail.
Keep us posted on your progress.
My guess would be that it could be parasites if he's more swollen whilst starving tho I think someone with more betta experience than me needs to advise you. I suppose it's all guess work unless we're vets or vet nurses and we don't have the "patient" in front of us. Hope you find out what is wrong with him and manage to reverse whatever it is.
betta fish
Fish Herder
Have you managed to seperate the platy fry from the betta as RCA suggested? how big are they? if they are tiny is there any chance Oliver may be eating them? I've not known a betta not to eat fry
I take it there are no adult platys in the tank? as the females can still give birth which will then be eaten by Oliver, the only other thing I can suggest now is that if he is getting bigger and he has had no food whatsoever that this may be a start of dropsy could you post up another pic of him all swollen?
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