care and support for a depressed betta

[azurite]

Hey all,

I've been noticing some concerning behavior from Big Red, one of my betta fish, over the past couple of days. He's been really lethargic and won't eat - this is unusual for him as he's usually always up for food. He's also just lounging at the bottom of his tank or against the filter, which is normal, but the way he's doing it now is different. Normally, he'd wrap himself around the filter, but now he's just laying there vertically. I've got some pics that show this.

His usual enthusiasm for food is gone, and even trying to get him to flare is a struggle - he'd normally be quick to display, whether it's for a mirror or another fish. The tips of his fins have also lost some color and are looking a bit scraggly, which is new. Not sure if this is due to him spending more time against the filter or something else.

I'm worried it might be something serious, or maybe he's just feeling down. Any help would be great.

I tried putting Finneus near his tank to see if that'd get a reaction, but even that took a while - and when he did display, it only lasted for a few seconds before he gave up and sank to the bottom.

I don't have my water test strips at the moment, but I do know the ammonia level is 0. I did a 70% water change last night and a 25% one the day before. His tank is a 2.5 gal planted one with a filter and heater, and the water temp stays between 78-81 degrees F.

I've had him since March, and this behavior is completely new. I've attached a couple of pics of him against the filter - can take more if needed.

Thanks in advance.

[pioneera]

I don't think wrapping around the filter was a great sign either, probably a weak spot for Big Red. Not sure what's going on though, could be a few things.

[azurite]

I don't think wrapping around the filter was a great sign either, probably a weak spot for Big Red. Not sure what's going on though, could be a few things.

That's just what he's always done, he genuinely seems to enjoy it. He's been a pretty active guy, always swimming around and goofing off, but he's also always careful when he pulls away from the filter so he doesn't get hurt. Up until a couple of days ago, everything was normal - he was eating, flaring, being his usual self. Now, though, he's just not himself anymore, just sitting against the filter, on the bottom of the tank, or on a leaf next to the heater.

[duskyl]

Hey all,

I've been noticing some concerning behavior from Big Red, one of my betta fish, over the past couple of days. He's been really lethargic and won't eat - this is unusual for him as he's usually always up for food. He's also just lounging at the bottom of his tank or against the filter, which is normal, but the way he's doing it now is different. Normally, he'd wrap himself around the filter, but now he's just laying there vertically. I've got some pics that show this.

His usual enthusiasm for food is gone, and even trying to get him to flare is a struggle - he'd normally be quick to display, whether it's for a mirror or another fish. The tips of his fins have also lost some color and are looking a bit scraggly, which is new. Not sure if this is due to him spending more time against the filter or something else.

I'm worried it might be something serious, or maybe he's just feeling down. Any help would be great.

I tried putting Finneus near his tank to see if that'd get a reaction, but even that took a while - and when he did display, it only lasted for a few seconds before he gave up and sank to the bottom.

I don't have my water test strips at the moment, but I do know the ammonia level is 0. I did a 70% water change last night and a 25% one the day before. His tank is a 2.5 gal planted one with a filter and heater, and the water temp stays between 78-81 degrees F.

I've had him since March, and this behavior is completely new. I've attached a couple of pics of him against the filter - can take more if needed.

Thanks in advance.

Hi, can you please give us your water stats? I'm still looking for my test strips.
I've been doing water changes, but not as frequently as you mentioned. I did a 70% change last night and a 25% one the day before.
I'll try feeding him frozen bloodworms once a day for a week and see if that perks him up. I've never tried that before.
Also, I'll boil a de-shelled pea and try feeding it to him. It's possible he has a constipation problem.

[azurite]

Hey all,

I've been noticing some concerning behavior from Big Red, one of my betta fish, over the past couple of days. He's been really lethargic and won't eat - this is unusual for him as he's usually always up for food. He's also just lounging at the bottom of his tank or against the filter, which is normal, but the way he's doing it now is different. Normally, he'd wrap himself around the filter, but now he's just laying there vertically. I've got some pics that show this.

His usual enthusiasm for food is gone, and even trying to get him to flare is a struggle - he'd normally be quick to display, whether it's for a mirror or another fish. The tips of his fins have also lost some color and are looking a bit scraggly, which is new. Not sure if this is due to him spending more time against the filter or something else.

I'm worried it might be something serious, or maybe he's just feeling down. Any help would be great.

I tried putting Finneus near his tank to see if that'd get a reaction, but even that took a while - and when he did display, it only lasted for a few seconds before he gave up and sank to the bottom.

I don't have my water test strips at the moment, but I do know the ammonia level is 0. I did a 70% water change last night and a 25% one the day before. His tank is a 2.5 gal planted one with a filter and heater, and the water temp stays between 78-81 degrees F.

I've had him since March, and this behavior is completely new. I've attached a couple of pics of him against the filter - can take more if needed.

Thanks in advance.

I'm currently at work and can't provide the water stats right now. I've been using API test strips, but I'm planning to get a liquid test kit soon. According to my last test, everything seemed fine. I've tried offering soaked freeze-dried bloodworms and a pea, but he's not interested in food at all.

My sister just texted me that he's now lying on his side on a leaf, breathing heavily. I'm really worried he might not make it. We've been doing daily water changes, but he still hasn't eaten for three days.

He used to display quickly at the sight of another fish or his reflection, but now I can barely get a response from him. I even tried using a mirror, but nothing. I brought Finneus in yesterday to see if he'd react, but all I got was a 2-second response before he went back to the bottom of the tank, breathing heavily.

[azurite]

This morning, Big Red's still holding on, but not out of the woods yet. His breathing's slowed down a bit, and he's not as lethargic as before - occasionally swims around a decoration, but that's it. Still zero interest in food, which is really worrying me. His eyes are still clear, and he looks at me when I approach the tank, but that's about it. My sister's been doing water changes for me while I'm at work, so I'm hoping that might help turn things around.

[softly]

Sounds to me like Big Red's got bloat. Don't worry about him not eating just yet - fish can go up to a week without food. Try fasting him for about 4-5 days, then see if he'll take to some peas. I'm talking frozen peas, thawed, blanched, squeezed out of the shell, and mashed. I'm also thinking his age might be a factor. Where'd you get him from? If it was your local fish store, he might've been an older fish to begin with. Those places usually get their bettas from big exporters like Askento4s, who only send them the fish they don't want for breeding or showing. That means most of the fish in stores are already old, out-bred, or have coloring that's not what the exporters want. Honestly, the fish in stores are usually pretty subpar. You might get lucky and find a nice one, but that's rare. And don't even get me started on those API test strips - they're basically useless.

[azurite]

Sounds to me like Big Red's got bloat. Don't worry about him not eating just yet - fish can go up to a week without food. Try fasting him for about 4-5 days, then see if he'll take to some peas. I'm talking frozen peas, thawed, blanched, squeezed out of the shell, and mashed. I'm also thinking his age might be a factor. Where'd you get him from? If it was your local fish store, he might've been an older fish to begin with. Those places usually get their bettas from big exporters like Askento4s, who only send them the fish they don't want for breeding or showing. That means most of the fish in stores are already old, out-bred, or have coloring that's not what the exporters want. Honestly, the fish in stores are usually pretty subpar. You might get lucky and find a nice one, but that's rare. And don't even get me started on those API test strips - they're basically useless.

Big Red's from Petsmart, and I don't think he was too old when I got him - he was only about half his current length back in March. I've had a few bettas from there before, and my first one actually lived for 4 and 1/2 years, so I'm hoping that's a good sign. Today he seems a bit more perky, so maybe he'll pull through after all. I know now that test strips aren't super accurate, but I didn't realize that when I bought them. I'm actually in the process of getting a liquid API test kit, but I had to wait for payday since I just had to shell out over $770 for a mechanic bill. His coloring still looks perfect, which is a good thing, right?

[softly]

You must've gotten a good one at Petsmart, I'm glad to hear that. Hopefully he keeps improving, fingers crossed for you.

[azurite]

Sounds to me like Big Red's got bloat. Don't worry about him not eating just yet - fish can go up to a week without food. Try fasting him for about 4-5 days, then see if he'll take to some peas. I'm talking frozen peas, thawed, blanched, squeezed out of the shell, and mashed. I'm also thinking his age might be a factor. Where'd you get him from? If it was your local fish store, he might've been an older fish to begin with. Those places usually get their bettas from big exporters like Askento4s, who only send them the fish they don't want for breeding or showing. That means most of the fish in stores are already old, out-bred, or have coloring that's not what the exporters want. Honestly, the fish in stores are usually pretty subpar. You might get lucky and find a nice one, but that's rare. And don't even get me started on those API test strips - they're basically useless.

I'm starting to think I've just gotten lucky with my betta picks from Petsmart. Most of them have had pretty long lives, but Oscar still holds the record so far.

Today, Red's looking more like himself. He actually swam up to greet me when I walked into the room a few minutes ago, then cruised around the tank before settling back in. I'll be posting his water stats in a minute - just got my liquid test kit and I'm waiting for the results.

Fingers crossed he keeps improving. He's been getting two partial water changes a day and I'm thinking of giving him an Epsom flour bath today to see if it helps.

Red's water stats are:

pH- 7.4
Ammonia- 1 ppm (just did a 50% water change like I've been doing)
Nitrite-0 ppm
Nitrate-40 ppm