Is my Betta suffering or dying? I have tried everything.

Question
QUESTION: We have had (for our 3 year old) a male betta for 1 year 3 months. He was bought at a pet store so I do not know how old he was when we got him. He has been really sick one time with swim bladder. I researched and got him on tetracycline - he never would go for the peas. It seemed to work and he was super happy. This was at about Xmas. Suddenly, about 4 weeks ago he developed popeye and what looked like a white spot that then turned red (and would bleed when I changed his water(only then)). I started him on tetracycline again for 1 week and also tried after that maracyn (which appears to be the same), It did not improve, so I put him in a hospital tank (1 gallon - his original bowl) no gravel, plastic plants etc. I got that Betta water they sell (I have tried it all) and started him on the ampicillin gel drops and also added the Betta Fix remedy - which I had tried before with the swim bladder but it did not seem to do anything. Bottom line is that he has not eaten in almost 3 weeks now. He is doing a lot of vertical floating. I aggravated, he will swim VERY fast and dart, but it is short lived, then he almost seems "tired" and floats. He spends a lot of time with his nose at the top and takes a breath of air (makes a little bubble) every so often. I went to a true fish store and they suggested blood worms. He wouldnt eat them. I went back and they suggested trying different foods or peas in garlic powder. He just floats around all the food. He looked like he might go for the freeze dried brine shrimp for a second, but i think he was just mad i was trying to push it in his mouth. When I changed his water today his sore (which you cannot see unless he opens it during water change i think from the net) started bleeding again. He has always had a bit of grayish near his mouth so I dont think it is that columnaris(?) he has nothing I can see on his fins, his color (red and blue) is good. AND he has been on antibiotics of some sort for almost 3 weeks now. I know they can go quite a long while without eating, but I do not want him to starve to death. On the same hand, I do not want to end his life if there is hope - especially with a 3 year old. When he does swim or kind of sidewind over when he sees me and hears my voice, he seems like his old self (momentarily). I somehow feel this is my fault for letting his water go a day too long or something. Since his swim bladder though, I did so much research and really tried to do everything one is supposed to do for their betta. I have even had a lamp next to his bowl 24/7 to keep his water closer to 78 or 80. What are your thoughts? Also, if it is his time, they told me to freeze him. I just cannot do that - it seems slow and awful. Thank you SO much for any suggestions or ideas.

ANSWER: Dana,

I just want to congratulate you on trying to do everything possible for this fish. Most people would have seen that he was swimming awkward the first time and just given up. Swim Bladder Disease doesn't seem as common as it really is.

The best thing to do (if he still has pop eye and the ulcer) is to treat him with the Maracyn Two antibiotic and see if it works. Do a 100% water change, make sure the water temperature is between 72 and 76 degrees and begin the recommended doses listed on the back of the box. Also, put some gravel in the bottom of the hospital tank. Gravel is very beneficial to a fish. Aquarium Salt in this situation is a good idea - as it helps lower stress and helps the disease recovery process move along smoother.

The floating and sidewinding you described could also be because there is a high ammonia level in the water. Ammonia is very dangerous to fish and with proper testing, you can tell your ammonia level. Pet Shops also carry products that can remove ammonia out of the water.

If none of this seems to work, then sadly it looks like it is time to put your Betta Fish down. The most humane way is to freeze the fish. Fill a baggie with cold water and quickly put the fish in it. This will start the process instantly and then put him in the freezer. The fish will fall asleep (much like humans do when they have been frozen {ever seen Titanic, that's the best reference I have}) and die peacefully. If that seems like it is too hard to do, you can also add Alka Seltzer (I believe that's the spelling of it...) tablets (2) to his water and that will do the job as well.

I hope some of these suggestions begin to help your Betta. It is always a stressful and difficult time when such a loved pet begins to grow ill. I've been lucky and all 4 of my Betta have been in top shape except for one case of fin rot, which was my own fault {young and inexperienced. Had no idea what bad water quality could do).

Stay strong,
Bethany

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

QUESTION: Thanks Bethany for the quick response. I have Maracyn-TC - is this different than Maracyn 2? It all discolors the water so - is that still ok for him? I just did a 100% water change today with the "Betta Water" - it claims to be perfect for Bettas (at $5 a bottle) - I have never tested it though it claims to be ammonia free etc. How much aquarium salt should I put in? Should I still continue to offer the various foods everyday or just go back to his usual Hikari pellets? I take them out about 5 minutes after I give them to him - as I said, he is not eating a thing. In your opinion, after I try all this, how many days (weeks?) should I give it if there is no improvement. I do not want to give up on him, but I do not want him to starve to death either. Thanks so much. I will hit the pet store again tomorrow. I dont think they had the other Maracyn last time. Dana
ANSWER: Dana,

The Betta water, I believe, is just a company who has taken the hassle out of taking all the hassle out of taking the harmful stuff out of tap water (I might have to look into that myself...=P).

Yes, Maracyn-TC is different than Maracyn-Two. Maracyn TC (Tetracycline) is a broad-spectrum antibiotic for use in aquariums. It is primarily effective against gram-negative pathogenic organisms. Symptoms of clamped fins, general listlessness, not eating, or other unusual behavior can be caused by internal infections or, in some cases, parasites. Maracyn-Two specifically treats Dropsy, Septicemia, Popeye, and Fin/Tail Rot. Tetracycline causes a red discoloration in the water and foam may collect on the surface. Once the full course of treatment is completed, a 25% water change is recommended. This, along with the addition of fresh activated carbon will remove any remaining color.

I would give him one more week. Fish can go a bit without eating, but a month seems a little too long. You can also call your local veterinarian and see if he/she has any recommendations on what is going on with your fish.

Aquarium Salt shoud have instructions on the back of the package. Some salts require different doses (don't ask me why - I thought they were all the same, too).

I would continue with the various foods. My Betta don't like pellets, so I'm stuck buying the expensive freeze-dried blood worms and brine shrimp.

-Bethany

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

QUESTION: THANKS BETHANY. I WILL TRY TO GET ALL YOU RECOMMENDED AT THE PET STORE TOMORROW AND KEEP YOU POSTED AS TO HIS PROGRESS. I HAVE BOTH THE LIVE (YUCKIE) AND FREEZE DRIED BLOOD WORMS. I WILL CONTINUE TO OFFER HIM THOSE AND ALSO PICK THE LITTLE BRINE SHRIMP OUT OF THE BETTAMIN? FOOD I ALSO TRIED. I HATE TO CHANGE HIS WATER AGAIN AS I JUST CHANGED IT TODAY AND IT MAKES HIM BLEED. CAN YOU USE BOTTLED SPRING WATER OR DOES THAT HAVE AMMONIA TOO?  CAN I JUST ADD THE SALT AND MARACYN 2 TO THE CURRENT NEW WATER OR DO YOU THINK IT BEST TO START ALL OVER AGAIN. I DO HAVE A BAG OF NEW GRAVEL. DO I NEED TO WASH THAT WITH SOMETHING OTHER THAN SPRING WATER? I PROMISE THESE ARE MY LAST QUESTIONS (FOR THE MOMENT). (MY VETS DONT DO FISH...)
THANK YOU SOOOOOOOO MUCH!! DANA
ANSWER: Dana,

You can use your current water that you have now if you have not used the current medication that you have been using. However, you can do a 50% water change without taking your Betta out of the water and start fresh from there (replacing the 50% of course ^.^). You can use bottled water, but it lacks some of the needed things in tap/Betta water that benefit fish in many ways. If you don't want to keep buying the Betta Water, then you can use tap water and buy some water conditioner to take out the harmful metals. Just wash the gravel in warm spring water and you should be fine. continue to feed him what you have tried (just try not to spoil him with blood worms and shrimp - he'll never go back to pellets!)

Just send any other questions my way. I'll be more than happy to help.

-Bethany

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

QUESTION: Hi Bethany - Mister Fishie died tonight while we were at my som's karate class. I had intended to put him down tonight anyway - although I was yearning to wait a few more days just to see if the Maracyn 2 might help. We ran out and bought it this morning and also bought test strips. I am SO angry because all I gave him last time was the Betta Water and it tested in the danger zone for ammonia. So I tested my spring water and it was fine, so I did a 75% water change as I knew he could not tolerate being moved. Then I did the Maracyn 2. But as the day wore on even though he would dart very quickly (which gave me hope) from time to time, it would always end with no ability to control himself and floating upside down most of the time. I read that the insude of the gills should be red (is this true) and they appeared to have no color to me when i watched him breathe closely. He really seemed like he had no fight left. I WISH I knew what went wrong - besides that bleeding red ulcer near his eye (same one with the Popeye) he was OK until he just stopped eating. He didnt poop either of course in the last 3 weeks. I did find a big poop in the tank when I found him, but I know this is common at the time of death for all creatures. I think I am sadder than my son- but he is little so he really doesnt understand. He just said we can go buy another fish. I really do not want to do that right now. I lost a beloved dog 2 years ago, now our fishie, no more watching pets get sick and trying everything to get them well only to watch them die. I am just glad (I guess) he went on his own and I did not have to do the freezing. It still seems cruel to me. I know it doesnt make a difference, but if you have ANY thoughts on what may have caused such a quick decline....I just hope that supposed so great Betta Water didnt kill him. When he first got sick, I started using it and now I see the ammonia was off the chart. How can that be?? I never even thought of testing it and just poured it in, They tout it as the "safest and best" water for your betta- no metals etc. Well, I so appreciate all you tried to help. I will miss him. Though I have never been a "fish" person (havent had one since my goldfish as a child) - he really had a personality and seemed to respond only to me. He was such a proud fish puffing himself all up - that was what was hardest to watch. I hope I didnt let him go too long. We always doubt, dont we, no matter which choice we make? Thanks again - DANA  

Answer
Diana,

I'm sorry to see that you lost your fish. It's always hard to lose something you've grown attached too. (My favorite dalmatian Molly died a few days ago as well.)

The apparent high ammonia in the tank is probably what finished him off in those last few hours. It sounds like his swim bladder became affected (which would cause the darting, upside down gloating, and "whirls"). Ammonia can cause the walls of the swim bladder to harden which stops the fish from being able to swim properly.

Unfortunately, it just sounds like Mister Fishie caught one disease and just kept moving down the line. As for the water, it probably didn't cause the illnesses (except for the high ammonia level). Either the company needs to be called and spoken too about their ammonia levels OR you could have possibly received one of many in a bad batch.

You seemed to have done everything in your current power to help your fish. Congratulations on being so caring and providing a great home for the Betta. You did well and we all must learn from our mistakes.

-Bethany