Sick Betta

[Katster]

I've had Gerome now for around 4 years, he lives in a community tank 50l, with 2 honey dwarf gourami, a couple of dwarf pencil fish and a bristlenose cat

Over the past couple of days his become very lathargic, just sits at the bottom the the tank hiding behind some plants, his colour has faded, his normally a dark blue, now his a bluey grey, and his scales are sticking out from his body slightly. ive seen photos of what dropsy looks like and it dosnt look as severe as the photo and his tummy isnt bloated.

I do water changes weekly and keep the ph at 7 and the gh at 120, nitrite and ammonia are at 0

any suggestions would be appreciated, tthanks
from Kat

 

[Wisperian]

Er even if they're sticking out a little it's most likely dropsy.

 

[Amerce]

Actually 4 years is very good innings for a betta, you have really looked after him, sorry to say but it could be that he is finally going to the big pond in the sky

 

[Katster]

yeah i thought the same, poor little guy, his started panting now and his scales look worse, ive moved him out of the tank, the gourami kept touching them with there arms and it seemed to be irritateing him, thanks for your help guys

just another question, if it is dropsy do i ave to wait before putting another betta into the tank? i have a red butterfly delta thats been living next to my bed in a vase for a couple of months, is it ok for me to put him into the community tank or should i wait a while to see if any of the otehr fish get sick?

 

[e11cloud]

You should definitely wait first...you did do the right thing to move him though. Ttry a salt bath and see if that works. Dropsy does tend to worsen and you may just be seeing early signs of it right now....however, he's rather old, and it sounds like it just might be his time to go. In any accord, it is a better idea to put him on his own and watch to see if the signs progress, if he swells up and "pine cones" out more, etc. Good luck! And be proud of your four year old betta...lots of them don't live that long.

 

[lisie]

Just to clarify, it's Epsom salt you'd want to use. Also, I've heard of people just putting some Epsom salt in their bettas' tank water for dropsy instead of giving baths, because it's less stressful.

 

[liz2]

You have done really well to keep your betta that long...well done to you....hope everything is ok

 

[coloradogirl]

Yes, I hope all goes well for you. You said you had your fish for four years. That's a pretty long time for a fish of any breed and size. I'm very impressed. As some of the other users on this forum have stated in their replies, it may really be his time to go.

 

[Katster]

i pulled the g-man out of the tank last night, his still alive thismorning but barely, his layign on his side and cant get up, he keeps trying, wiggleing his fin, poor thing

 

[The Equillibrium]

I must agree that 4 years sounds long-lived for a betta.


I think your tank sonds a bit overstocked. Maybe this had an effect?