What is wrong with my Betta!

[Spacemuffin]

I have had my crowntail betta at work with me since February of this year. He has been active and fine. Eating well and swimming around. The last few weeks though, he's not eating much if any that I can see. In addition, now he can't seem to swim straight. He struggles to keep swimming right side up and usually makes a few summersaults before he can find close to center. He's worrying me and I don't know what to do. What is wrong? Also how can I help him?

Thanks,
Carol

[lindsayanng]

Search DROPSY. it kinda is like giving the fish vertigo. It cant swim straight and his swim bladder (what helps him go up and down in the water) is not functioning properly.

We have actually treated this with meds from the pet store, or even feed him some thawed, chopped up peas. Peas are known for helping to cure dropsy

[Spacemuffin]

Hello lindsayanng,

Thank you so much for the reply. I searched Dropsy and it showed and described fish that are bloated and whose stomachs are distended. He looks perfectly normal and not out of shape in any sense. I don't think that's it. Any other ideas?

Thanks,
Spacemuffin

[lindsayanng]

it could still be it. We had dropsy in our Chinese Hifin shark and his stomach looked normal> it has a lot to do with the shape of the fish, and bettas have a shape that can hide bloat rather easily.

If you STILL dont think it is dropsy, then i would head over the aquariumcentral.com they are the BEST fish people around..

Have you tested your water lately? I would get a water tester to start and see how far off you are. NOT just a PH tester, but a full kit. Also, do you have a filter or bubbler in your betta tank??

[Bettachris]

sounds jus like an illness i dont know how else to put it.

drospy is a condition that occurs when the internal organs shut down and the liquid builds up causign the scales to stick out.

Basically drospy is about 96% fatal. .... i dont believe in pea's and frankly peas in my 13 years of betta breeding... i would say... sry but i really hate peas and really it isnt good for the fish. bettas are cariniours...like it or not you cant change what mother nature made them. peas would NEVER be encoured in the wild by bettas and frankly it does mess up the digestive track of bettas and peas if fed in the wrong way will cause bloating and swelling of the fish.

but if the scales arent popped out then i would rule out drospy. if the fish cant swim straight it sounds as if it is dieing. swim bladder problems are usually when the fish floats not sinks.

um when people ask me all of the time i tell them to contiune with regular 3 day water changes, aquarium salt, stress coat, and warm water. hope that works. that is the magic forumula i have used for the past 13 years.

anyway feel free to contact me with questions.

[kwhite321]

If the outward appearance of your betta is normal, It could be an internal parasite. A few common signs of internal parasites include, but are not limited to: spasms, (jerking from side to side, out of control behavior) , anorexia, clamped fins, and listlessness. I would recommend treating your tank with an anti-parasite medication. Be really careful though, most fish meds are designed and intended for tanks with good water circulation and filters. There are however, a few of these medications designed specifically for betta's. Just ask one of the associates in your local pet store for help finding one . I would also strongly recommend testing you water. Your water may contain high amounts of ammonia or nitrites, and if so, that should be taken care of immediately. Most pet stores will test it for you for free. Watch for a few days, treat, try to lure him into eating, with frozen bloodworm's, and hope for the best. Good Luck! Hope I could help. Oh.. and it does not sound like dropsy. Green peas do NOT help cure dropsy. They Do however seem to help with swim bladder problems. (mainly in goldfish) .... and by the way... i wk at pet store... im not a vet.... but I get these types of questions on a daily basis.