More on Lyndon

Question
QUESTION: Hi again.  I received both of your replies and am at work so will just write a short note in reply to this one and get back to you on the other one later. We seem to have so much in common!  You might have come up with something in your last message.  I think it's entirely possible that Lyndon sees his reflection in his current location.  He seems to run into the sides of the tank quite often when he gets scared and swims around quickly.  I know they're not supposed to be in direct sunlight so I drape a towel around one side of his tank so the sun doesn't shine on him during the day, and I'm not sure whether or not this cuts down the reflection.  My hubby took some pictures this morning and I forwarded one to me at work but just discovered I can't attach it because I can't save it in a jpeg format here.  I'll send it when I get home tonight- you can definitely see the curled fins in it.  Have to get back to work.  Many thanks again for your time and responses.  
Pat

ANSWER: Hi Pat,
I am not worried about his fins curling.  This is not fin, and tail rot.  We see this often since breeders in the far east do not care whether the betta's fins curl or not.  It also happens when a betta has heavy foilage, or kept in small bowls, or tanks.  This we cannot cure.  When the fins are split, or have a whitish tint, then I would worry, but just curled fins, there is nothing to worry about.  He must have been a young betta when you bought him, and as his fins grew, and got heavier, they started to curl.  Do not worry about his curled fins.  His Popeye has healed, and that in itself is a very good.  Now, if he would only eat.  It was a wild guess about him seeing his reflection, but if he is, this could be a reason.  Bettas who always see their reflection, or other bettas, do get very stressed, and sick.  He could also be depressed, if not, then it must be something wrong with him internally.  Is there something in the kitchen where you keep him frightening him?  It could be anything.  The noise from a fridge starting up, or dishwasher.  Fish here noise.  I'm just wondering what could be the cause.  I'm really hoping we can find out exactly what is wrong with him.  Bettas are usually gluttons, and we have to always make sure we do not overfeed them.  Lyndon must have a reason not to eat, and I feel so sorry for him, and you, since I know how attached we are towards our Bettas.
Lynda

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Lyndon   QUESTION: Hi Lynda.
I really enjoyed hearing about Minnie.  Ebbie was a stray I took in and is quite a character too.  He's very high strung and in fact we have to give him a prozac every day.  He's quite high maintenance but worth all the effort!  My husband said we must be kindred spirits because I'm a real animal lover too.  I go outside as soon as it gets light every morning to feed the birds and critters.  Basically, if it moves, I feed it!  We have a skunk that comes around at dusk to eat the bird seed I scatter on the ground for the doves and peanuts I put out for the squirrels.  I had four cats but lost two to cancer last year so have only two now. I love dogs as well but have found that cats are much easier since I'm away so many hours during the day.  I bought Lyndon on a whim one day when I was at the pet store for cat and critter food and have really enjoyed him.  Like everything else, I want to take the best care of him possible and am still hoping somehow he'll survive.  My friend Lynne,  his namesake, has Muscular Dystrophy, but she has one of those undefiable spirits and continues to do things her doctor says she can't or shouldn't do, and I think Lyndon has that same fighting spirit.  They do live in Quebec.  We went to visit them last August and they also took us to see Ottawa.  Canada is a beautiful place.  We're planning a trip to Seattle and Vancouver in August and are looking forward to seeing much more.  As for Lyndon, tomorrow I'm going to try moving him back to the computer desk.  I'll have to buy something to allow me to plug in his heater but I think I can fit it in under the desk.  As you know, it's been breaking my heart to watch him these past few weeks and maybe just a change back to his original location will be the answer we've been looking for.  I'm attaching the picture we took this morning.  I think he looks pretty sad but he's still hanging in.  He's definitely a fighter!  Again, my thanks for everything, Lynda.  I'll keep you posted on Lyndon.  I don't think he'd still be here without your help.
Goodnight,
Pat

ANSWER: Hi Pat,
Lyndon looks good to me.  I enlarged his picture, and lightened it, and find nothing wrong with him.  Could there be something stuck in his throat?  If so, only a vet could help you with this.  I don't find him thin.  I have seen bettas who are thin, and Lyndon doesn't look thin at all which is amazing since he has not eaten in such a long time.  It could also be something internal like I mentioned to you before.  There is nothing I can think of now to help him.  Maybe when you bring him back to where he was, he will feel more secure, and he will eat.  My heart goes out to him.
You, and I have lots in common.  I'm feeding 6 feral cats, and a skunk.  The skunk was brought up with the cats.  It's so funny to see them play together.  I tried to bring them into the house, but they won't, they are so afraid.  They are all black, and they are beautiful.  It breaks my heart to see them outside in the cold.  They won't come in, and now two of them are pregnant.  I too feed the birds.  I have two woodpeckers, and blackbirds.  Soon the little canaries will be here.  My back yard is full of birds in the summer, including pigeons.  Minnie is quite upset about this...lol  I walk her like a dog.  She loves it.  I cannot let her go out on her own.  She always gets me into trouble.  She use to go out all over the neighbourhood, but I got so many complaints like you wouldn't believe.  She killed a lady's bird down the street.  The bird was in a cage on the Lady's veranda...Oh what a horrible day that was..lol  Now, I tie her up outside, and she seems to like it.  Minnie is something else, let me tell you..
Keep me posted on Lyndon.  He is so pretty, I hope he starts to eat soon.
Have a nice day.
Lynda

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Lynda.
Well, our boy has been on the computer desk for a couple of days now and I still haven't seen him eat, but there's a slight possibility that he might have.  I've sprinkled one or two betta bits on the top of the water and walked away because he still seems to get scared when I feed him so they've either fallen to the bottom or he ate them.  I'm changing his water tomorrow morning in case he didn't eat because I know old food is like poison to them.  I have to say that I think he's now in a much calmer place.  As you mentioned before, when I had him on the other counter in the kitchen, he could have heard the dishwasher and even the garbage disposal, and he would have sen a lot more activity than when on the computer desk, so hopefully he'll start to feel more peaceful and back at home again and start eating again.  The only other change I can make is to move him back into his little 1/2 gallon tank which I don't want to do because I can't heat the water in there.  I'll continue to keep you posted.  Thanks again for everything you've done to help.
Pat

Answer
Hi Pat,
I've been having problems with this site, and for some reason couldn't get in.  It is fixed now.  The garbage disposal may have scared him, they make such noise, at least mine does.  I hope he will start eating soon.  It may take one week or so, but once he feels secure again, he will eat.  I don't think putting him back in his little tank will help, but then strange things happen.  Try feeding him when the lights are out...he may feel more secure.  Bettas don't usually eat what falls at the bottom of the tank, so if he didn't eat the pellets, you will find them.  Pellets float quite a while before sinking to the bottom.  Even if he takes a little bite, it's enough to keep him going.  By now, he should be paper thin, but he still looks healthy.  He is just amazing, I hope you save him.
Lynda