Sick/dying Bettas

[Reticu-Lady]

I am having some strange issues recently with my bettas. I realize they are considered rather old at this point, but they are having some of the strangest symptoms. Each male is kept in his own 1 - 1 1/2 gallon tub. I use a slightly brackish water with them (with StressCoat added). The water is partially changed every three to five days as needed. They eat blood worms, Tetra-Min betta bites and TetraMin Tropical flakes. (I give just a bit two-three times a day and suction out all leftovers. What has been happening lately is I will notice a lack of appetite, then the abdomens begin to bloat. They will still continue to make puny attempts at bubble nests then when the bloating gets really bad (the scales start to stick out) the water gets slimy in a matter of a few hours and he fades quickly. I have already taken one to my vet to be humanely euthanized and I am guessing at this point, I have two more going in tomorrow for the same thing. All this happens in about 3 days. Does anyone have any suggestions on what may be wrong or what I might do to fix this? Oh yeah. When we euthanized Mark (yes, I name all my fish) We aspirated a lot of viscus fluid from his belly area. (post-humously, of course).
The females live in a community aquarium (without the guys) and they are doing quite well. I do not ever put my males together, so I am really concerned as to how they coul be all comming down with the same thing. I have never, ever had this problem with any of my fish before - Please help.

[Shuba]

Your fish's health conditions might be a result of care before you recieved them. They also might have low water temperatures. Most of the illnesses betas get are because of poor care prior to there purchase or during there time with the new owners. I am guessing you are just having an unlucky time with your male betas and hopefully it will improve. I my self use to care for betas but stopped due to my collection of herps. Maybe somebody can give you a more vivid explination..

[Ed_r]

Does each tank have it's own filter system, or are they connected? If connected then obviously the desease could easily spread from tank to tank.

Can the males see each other clearly? Could it be just the stress of them seeing each other?

[telefrag]

Those are some of the symptoms of dropsy.
I think there are some over the counter meds you can purchase for that, like furacin, or bettamax or something like that. I cant remember all my fish med's , its been too long since I paid that much attention to it.

It also could be a bacterial infection, if you look for meds that deal specifidally with abdominal bloat, you might have some luck with that.


Is this Lisa? good to see you back around.

[Ti]

I had the same thing (sounds like it anyway) happen to me several years back. If the fish, after they plump up, look like a pineapple, it is probably a bacterial bloom in your water. If I remember correctly, there are some meds that can & will help, but by the time you see the scales start to extend, you have a 50% chance of saving them. Clean EVERYTHING, and if you re-use anything in the tanks, be sure they are sterilized. Good luck!

[Reticu-Lady]

Thanks, y'all. (Yes, it's Lisa - thanks. I've missed you all). I will try to hunt down some meds for them. I lost Sieger, he didn't wait for me to take him to my vet. Poor little guy. No, they can not see each other. Everyone is filtered separately and I scrub their 'trees' with a toothbrush when I clean their bowls.You're right, they do resemble pineapples right before the inevitable happens. My poor little guys. Could I have somehow exposed them to this bacteria? I have had Sieger and Mark about 4 months or so. Should I treat everyone or just the puny looking ones? *Sigh* I have never had sick fish before. This is sooo frustrating.
Thanks for all the replies. I will tell the fish how kind you all are.
Wish us well.

[Kagome100]

Ok one thing is your over feeding them..... If there bellys get really big (looks a little like dropsy) but after a day or two of no feeding the belly will get smaller. Feed the bettas one time every 2 days. Clean the bowls (jars) out 2 times a week. Because if there is no fillter than it needs cleaning alot. When you clean out the bowl feel with tap water, spring water at room temp. Add "Start Right" to the water. You can add that stress coat if you want. I have that all so. Here is a site of what Im talking about on that start right stuff. and I do this cleaning thing for my bettas all so. I know I have had bettas for years.
http://www.petsmart.com/global/produ...=1086550741496

[Reticu-Lady]

Thanks, I will try that also. I picked up some meds that seem to be helping, I have two that stopped eating but are now trying little bits of food again (brine shrimp) and one even made a small bubble nest. As far as overfeeding, I think they are ok, I only give a very miniscule (spelling?) amount at each feeding, mostly to 'train' them to come to the top when I check on them. Maybe two to three flakes/bits per feeding. Normally, they are quite svelt looking (I have issues with overweight pets). I also try to exercise them by leading them around their 'homes' once a day. (I had read a scientific journal experiment whereby 15 minutes of 'chasing' with a net had bettas surviving on an average of 9 years. I don't like to chase them, but they will now follow my finger for a bloodworm treat). When they get 'puny,' I stop exercise to reduce any stress. My females are fatter than my males and they live in a 10 gallon aquarium with heavy filtration that seems to keep them moving all the time. (We poor females will always be pudgier than all you lucky males!!) The meds do seem to be helping, I have been treating all of them for Dropsy and the two non-eaters are once again starting back up.
I do very much appreciate all the adivce and help, I knew I could count on y'all, even if these aren't reptiles (the ARE scaly, tho.....)

[telefrag]

glad to hear it!

Im glad you take your fish seriously, I've known of too many people who write off the importance of fish, because they are "cheap" , putting a value on their life based on how much they paid for them.
I worked at a fish/pet store for many years (back in the early 90's) and I hated seeing people set up a tank, and the next day adding like 20 fish to it, and having the mentality that, if they die, i'll just buy more, there only .99, or something like that.

its just really upsetting.

but im glad you are taking the time and effort to take full responsibility for their existance.

kudos to you on that.

even if its only a 3-4$ fish, your treating them like living creatures, not something that is disposable.

Every now and then, some people give me hope that the human race is capable of doing good.


ok. rant over.

[Reticu-Lady]

How very right you are. They are living creatures, even if I only paid $3.78 a piece for them. They all have names and distinct personalities. If these idiots that buy them just because they are cheap and/or pretty should get pictures of them, or even just flowers. I do have three aquariums set up as a display, but I remember always that these are living, feeling and thinking (however rudimentary) creatures, as are we all. My display represents people in a world that believes in Heaven and #$%^&#$%^&#$%^&#$%^&. So in that particular display, the fish are 'human,' well, except for Vladimer and Archangel, who represent spirits. They are my 'living artwork.' (See, I have fun with my pets, however warped it may be.....)

[Reticu-Lady]

Oh, how hilarious!!!!! I forgot about the censor! Heaven and heck! *chortle*

[eddie]

My betas always enjoyed some 'out' time perched on my shoulder and a good petting every so often.

Actually, I have the worst track record for keeping up on beta tanks, cleaning etc, using tap water with just stress coat added and doing complete water changes when I did clean the tank out. (one gallon tank with no filteration)
BUT, with all the bad care on the betas we have had, one actually lived five years before floating the wrong way (dead) The rest were pretty big and old when we got them and they all did fairly well with my inattention and daily feedings, lasting way longer than we expected due to their size and age upon purchase or when someone else bought one for the daughter.

[agrutz45]

when i had bettas and they were sick I seperated them then one lived.