Think I Might Lose My Betta Buzz

[lgreenmk]

Well, I've had him six weeks, but I think I am about to lose my Betta, Buzz Lightyear. He has been lethargic since last night, hanging out mostly at the top of the tank. He looks almost pregnant. I think his belly is enlarged, it looks a little lighter than usual, and he is breathing a little heavier than he usually does. How can you tell if a fish is "old"?

All of the water levels tested fine and all of the other fish appear fine.



Thanks!

 

[canis_lupus]

oh no! r his scales standing up 2? it could b dropsy......don't feed him maybe he's only bloated (constipated) i wouldn't think he's 2 old..usually bettas live 2 to 3 years and usually when u buy them they r 1 year or less....i really hope he pulls through.......maybe someone else knows of some meds u could give him

 

[White Whale]

Maybe he's overfed. My Bulldog is the same way. I will not feed him for the next 2 days. I usually feed the other 3 every other day - keeps their jars clean. Man, these things are like voracious pigs when they eat! Gotta keep in mind that they're tummy is only as large as their eyeball.

 

[lgreenmk]

Thank you for your help, but Buzz passed overnight. He was my three year old daughter's favorite fish She will be upset when she gets home from her dad's today.

I just don't understand what I could have done wrong. All of his water readings tested within range. He was doing great the first six weeks. Suddenly late Saturday afternoon he started acting differently and now he's gone. It may have been that dropsy that someone mentioned. His front scales did seem a little "enhanced". What causes that?

Most importantly, is this contagious and should I treat the other fish or the tank itself to try to prevent it?

 

[lgreenmk]

I just don't understand what I could have done wrong. All of his water readings tested within range. He was doing great the first six weeks. Suddenly late Saturday afternoon he started acting differently and Monday morning he was gone. It may have been that dropsy that someone mentioned. His front scales did seem a little "enhanced". What causes that?

Most importantly, is this contagious and should I treat the other fish or the tank itself to try to prevent it?

 

[wuvmybetta]

no, it's not that contagious so don't worry about treating the tank. Dropsy is caused by several different things, stress, overfeeding,high nitrates or a bacteria they picked up

I lost a male to dropsy once , it boggled my mind and I came up with the conclusion that all 4 reasons I mentioned played a part, he had an ug filter that I had removed but I left the base intact, I tried to remove it one day and his water became messy so I took him out and gently cleaned his tank with dechlorinated water to keep his bacteria going so that his tank would remain cycled, while I cleaned I put him in a bowl which stressed him severely ,within 2 days he had dropsy. He was also the betta who LOVED to eat and I often let my daughter feed him ,so as you can imagine,he was grossly overfed

QUICK! Before your kiddo gets home run out and get a twin! J/K (or not!) Good luck with explaining it to your little one, these things are never easy to deal with for parents

 

[lgreenmk]

Wuvmybetta, you read my mind. The lfs gets in new bettas every Wednesday. She asked me about him today (we had to go see the Wiggles last night so the last thing on her mind was her fish), and I said, I don't know honey, maybe he's hanging out in his cave.

After I drop her off at her Dad's tomorrow night, I will try to find a look a like for Buzz and put him in there. I had already thought it before you mentioned it!

Thanks for the advice.

 

[cassandra]

i am soo sorry!!!

 

[wuvmybetta]

I hope you find one exactly like him,or at least close enough

What is it with the Wiggles? My daughter LOVES them but personally....I find them rather creepy