betta ich

Question
Hi Chris!
I have had my male betta for about 6 months now in a 1 gallon betta bowl.  He has done very well until recently he got very sick.  It took me about 3 days to realize that it was ich and that the remedy that I was using would not work.  I have used Quick Cure for ich for 4 days now.  On the 3rd day I did a 25% water change.  The white specks on his body have cleared up and he has gotten slightly more active.  
I am still worried though because he hasn't eaten since he became ill about 7 days ago.  He showed no interest in food until today when he ate a pellet and then spit it right back out.  I have tried feeding him pellets (his normal food) and then betta flakes that I also have.  He hasn't eaten either, he just keeps getting skinnier!  Could there be something else wrong besides ich or is this typical? Is there anything that you would recommend feeding him to help him recover?
Thanks so much for your time!


Answer
Hi Jenna;

Bettas can go for 3 weeks without food so there is still time. The trauma he went through just completely squashed his appetite. He may need to be in a warmer place and may need more water changes too. Bettas like to be about 80 degrees. Change 25% of his water every day right before you add the day's medicine.

You can also try more "aromatic" foods. He should have a more varied diet than dried stuff anyway. Mine like frozen brine shrimp, frozen blood worms and live tubifex. Even chopped earthworms are tasty. Well, to a fish anyway. ;-)

I hope he feels more like himself soon.....

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins