Sick Betta - Help please??

[GaryNH]

Had my male Barney for about 6 months now. Very sluggish, no outward signs of anything. Rests on top of a plastic plant next to the filter motor and won't come out to eat at all for the last 3-4 days. Found him on the bottom of the tank yesterday and thought he was dead. He went back up to the filter and stayed there. Here are the particulars:

2 gallon Eclipse w/filter, no heat, no other fish. Plastic plant, rock and gravel.
Temp fluctuates between 76F and 78F
Ph is normal but water is very hard.
Nitrites neglible, Ammonia neglible, Nitrates between 10 and 20.
When eating, he will eat only bloodworms. I've tried flakes and balls and he spits them out.
LFS thought internal parasites so I am dosing with Jungle Internal Parasite Guard starting yesterday w/50% water change at start. Removed the Eclipse filter cartridge but am keeping the pump running for circulation. Added some aquarium salt also.

Thoughts please??

Thanks, Gary

 

[wetwetwet]

Hi Gary, sorry to hear about Barney

NitrIte and ammonia should really be zero.

What was your maintenance/water change shedule like?

For now just wait and see how he gets on with this current treatment.

Keep us upto date on his progress

 

[GaryNH]

Thanks Wet, I was very negligent on water changes I guess. 50% every two weeks I would think. He perks up slightly but dashes around the tank. Seems to be tilting to the side a bit. I can't tell if the medication is working. He's starting to look a little ragged now.

Gary

 

[Kirstie]

Poor Barney. Have you got any other fish in the tank? You might want to add some but NOT another betta as they will fight to the death. Try checking your filter it might need a clean and it makes a world of difference. It might not even be something bad, sometimes, bettas just aren't particularly active. If you find out that it is not a disease that's making him act the way he is, i suggest buying some more fish to liven the place up a little bit, you'd be surprised at the difference it makes.

Good luck!