Anorexic Betta

Question
I bought a betta about 2 months ago. I specifically chose it from the pet store because it was the most lively and was living very peacefully in a tank with goldfish and neon tetras. But since I brought it home it has gotten increasing lethargic and since day one it has refused to eat. I put dried blood worms in the tank everyday but they just get waterlogged and sink to the bottom. Over the past few days I've noticed the fish has been having trouble swimming to the surface for air and its seems be having trouble keeping its bottom half from sinking to the bottom of the tank. Its colour and fins look the same. I've tried warmer water, different foods but nothings changed. It seems completely uninterested in any type of food. I've had lots of bettas with strange needs before but I cant seem to get this one out of its funk, do you have any idea what's wrong with it?


Answer
Hi Christie,
Your Betta is showing signs of Swim Bladder Disease.  This disease is caused by poor diet, and overfeeding.  Try feeding him a cooked frozen pea.  Remove the outer layer, and cut the pea into small pieces.  Feed the pieces to your Betta one at a time, making sure he eats it, and that it does not fall to the bottom.  If he is constipated, constipation often goes unnoticed.  It eventually causes Swim Bladder Disease, and if left untreated will lead to Dropsy.  Feed him one pea, and nothing else.   I hope he eats it, if not you will have to treat him with "Tetracycline"  Do not wait.  Follow the directions on the package, and be careful not to overdose.
Betta should never be kept with Goldfish.  This is terrible.  Bettas are tropical fish, and need heated tanks. PH is also a factor.  Bettas do not do well in alkaline water.  They do well in neutral water.  Since he was in cool water, and most likely alkaline water, he may have had a shock when you brought him home to your water.  (I do not know the size of your tank..so really do not know what could have happened.
There is little information from Pet Stores when you buy a betta.  A betta should be in a heated 5 gallon tank.  In his habitat the betta's water may be shallow, but he has lots of room to swim.  Bettas kept in unheated tanks, small containers, bowls, and vases do get sick, and their lives are cut short.  Under 80 degree water, the betta is cold.  Vendors do not care, they are there to make money, selling their gadgets saying that Bettas will live in a small container.  They do, but not for long.  A well kept Betta will live up to 7 years when treated the right way.  He should have a varied diet.  Here is a list of food the betta should have:
Betta Pellets
Betta Flakes
Daphnia...Daphnia is very important because it helps their digestive system
Bloodworms
Mealworms
Glassworms
Brine Shrimp
Plankton Flakes
One pea a week, and on the day you feed him the pea, feed him nothing else.  This is so he can clean out his system, and avoid SBD.
Bettas should be fed 2-3 times a day in small amounts.  We must always remember that their tummy is the size of their eye when feeding them.  Two pellets, or two flakes is enough for one meal.
If you decide to upgrade his tank with a heater, bring the temperature up very very slowly.  One degree every teo days, as bringing up the temperature too fast would be deadly.  The same is true if there is a drop in temperature.  Many bettas die during the winter months as their water drops quickly, and this is deadly.  A thermostat is the only way to go to ensure that the water in his tank is always stable.  Never heat his water with a lamp.  Bettas do not like these lamps, and they cause fluctuating water.  Fluctuating water is very bad for them.  I hope you find an answer in what I have written to you, and that he will recover.
Lynda