Betta fish and internal parasites

[mariner]

I've noticed my betta has been acting sluggish and not eating much. His belly looks a bit swollen too. Could this be internal parasites? I've had him for about six months in a 5-gallon tank with a sponge filter, weekly water changes, and temp at 78F. He's usually super active, so this is weird.

[silverbreeze]

Sounds sketchy, mariner. Swollen belly and no appetite are classic signs of parasites. You might wanna try treating with metronidazole. I've had success with it before, but gotta be careful with dosing. What's your water change routine like? Sometimes poor water quality can mess with their immune system.

[Foliums]

I agree with silverbreeze. Metronidazole is a solid choice. Also, check if his poop looks stringy or white. That's another giveaway. How often are you feeding him? Overfeeding can sometimes cause similar symptoms, but if it's parasites, you'll need to act fast.

[vague]

Sounds sketchy, mariner. Swollen belly and no appetite are classic signs of parasites. You might wanna try treating with metronidazole. I've had success with it before, but gotta be careful with dosing. What's your water change routine like? Sometimes poor water quality can mess with their immune system.

I'd second the metronidazole suggestion. Just make sure to follow the dosage instructions exactly. Also, keep the tank super clean during treatment.

[Aurora7]

My betta had similar issues last year. I used API General Cure and it worked well. How long has he been like this? If it's been more than a few days, I'd start treatment ASAP.

[mariner]

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I'll pick up some metronidazole today. His poop does look a bit off, so I'm leaning toward parasites. I'll also do a water change before starting treatment.

[silverbreeze]

Good call, mariner. Keep us posted on how he does. And yeah, clean water is key. Parasites thrive in dirty tanks, so stay on top of those water changes. You got this!

[Foliums]

My betta had similar issues last year. I used API General Cure and it worked well. How long has he been like this? If it's been more than a few days, I'd start treatment ASAP.

General Cure is another great option. It's a combo of metronidazole and praziquantel, so it covers a broader range of parasites. Just be sure to remove any carbon from your filter before treating.

[vague]

Also, mariner, if you're using any meds, keep the lights off during treatment. Some meds can break down faster under light. And yeah, carbon will just soak up the meds, so ditch it for now.

[Aurora7]

How's your betta doing, mariner? Any improvement after starting treatment?