steppy104
Grarr
I don't know much about the inside structure of a fish, but could they get arthritis? Or any fish-related version of arthritis?
What makes me ask this, is that older people get arthritis the worst....And as it progresses it starts deforming body parts, like the fingers will curl, I think it makes a hunch in peoples back? Not sure...
But anyway, my oldest betta, 4yrs old, his spine is looking a little off center compared to my much younger betta's. It wasn't like this when he was young, it's just something that progressed. It's not terrible, it's just slightly out of line. Another thing is that he doesn't want to move as much, and when he does, he does it in very flinchy motions.
He'll sleep at the bottom alot, just laying on the ground, or he'll sleep near the edge of the water...But he doesn't do too much more until feeding time...If he's on the bottom, and realises I'm feeding him, he'll shakely rise a little, then dart at the top so fast that he hits the edge of the water. He looks like he can't control it much. But this is only when he's waking up. He's pretty steady if he's already up.
Other than that, he's normal....Sometimes he'll get up to check out the girl next door...He eats regularly, and he eats it all. So is this just old age kicking in?
And I wish I knew his birthday. If I didn't know better, I'd say he's over 4. If not, he's darn close to it.
How old is the average fish bought at walmart?
What makes me ask this, is that older people get arthritis the worst....And as it progresses it starts deforming body parts, like the fingers will curl, I think it makes a hunch in peoples back? Not sure...
But anyway, my oldest betta, 4yrs old, his spine is looking a little off center compared to my much younger betta's. It wasn't like this when he was young, it's just something that progressed. It's not terrible, it's just slightly out of line. Another thing is that he doesn't want to move as much, and when he does, he does it in very flinchy motions.
He'll sleep at the bottom alot, just laying on the ground, or he'll sleep near the edge of the water...But he doesn't do too much more until feeding time...If he's on the bottom, and realises I'm feeding him, he'll shakely rise a little, then dart at the top so fast that he hits the edge of the water. He looks like he can't control it much. But this is only when he's waking up. He's pretty steady if he's already up.
Other than that, he's normal....Sometimes he'll get up to check out the girl next door...He eats regularly, and he eats it all. So is this just old age kicking in?
And I wish I knew his birthday. If I didn't know better, I'd say he's over 4. If not, he's darn close to it.
How old is the average fish bought at walmart?
It's normal for bettas to get a bit stiff when they reach they two year mark or so... and your boy is four so he's quite elderly. Bettas often develop crooked or 'hunched' spines as they age. Unless it is obviiously causing him trouble I wouldn't be worried. He sounds like he's fine but just keep his water warm and keep him on a nutritionally balanced, varied diet. 
