Post by Wallis mom on Jul 30, 2011 23:22:05 GMT
Hi...We have had Walli the male betta since rescuing him from Walmart 4 years ago when the sales man was ready to throw him in the trash because he had awful Flex and other issues. We took him home and made him a happy, healthy betta in a 2.5 Gallon tank, water 50% change each week, 100% change every other week. He eats Hikari Bio-Gold, has a little (jagged edge free) log in his tank that he loves hiding and sleeping in. Loves his water at 82 degrees, loves to flare and follows you around the room by swimming side to side in his tank. He even loves being "petted" (having someone rub their finger against the tank where he puts his head for you).
About two weeks ago, he started slowing down, less flaring and playing when we gave his his mirror, less active. He still has his appetite and hates his weekly fast day. He almost appears to have a swim bladder issue, he is vertical in the water now, instead of horizontal. He has a terrible time swimming to the top of the tank so we lowered the water to a gallon (changing half every other day) so that it just covers his log and he can "sit" on top and just stick his head up to breathe so that he doesn't have to struggle and exhaust himself trying to get to the top. He is still having normal bowel movements. What concerns me is that now he appears to be unable to move his body from midway down, through to the tail. His scales started pineconing this morning.
We are not sure if this is some type of organ failure due to old age (he is almost 5) or if it is dropsy (not sure how he would get it because we keep things very clean for him).
Has anone else experienced this with their betta? We have another betta (about 4.5 years old) and I am just wondering if this will be what we see as he ages too.
Thanks for any help.
About two weeks ago, he started slowing down, less flaring and playing when we gave his his mirror, less active. He still has his appetite and hates his weekly fast day. He almost appears to have a swim bladder issue, he is vertical in the water now, instead of horizontal. He has a terrible time swimming to the top of the tank so we lowered the water to a gallon (changing half every other day) so that it just covers his log and he can "sit" on top and just stick his head up to breathe so that he doesn't have to struggle and exhaust himself trying to get to the top. He is still having normal bowel movements. What concerns me is that now he appears to be unable to move his body from midway down, through to the tail. His scales started pineconing this morning.
We are not sure if this is some type of organ failure due to old age (he is almost 5) or if it is dropsy (not sure how he would get it because we keep things very clean for him).
Has anone else experienced this with their betta? We have another betta (about 4.5 years old) and I am just wondering if this will be what we see as he ages too.
Thanks for any help.
