Sick Betta--Help!

Question
Hello again.

Alpha has calmed down quite a lot, but it seems like it's almost too much.  I've changed his water like you recommended, and also added a wee bit aquarium salt.  He breathes less heavily, which is a relief.  But he doesn't really swim much now, and when he flaps his fins he doesn't move very far.  And he's still not eating.  Even if he wanted to, I don't think he could make it to the top for some food.

I feel like I'm almost waiting for him to die.  Is this bad?  I was surprised he was alive when I got back to work today.  Do you think he can be saved?
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Followup To

Question -
Hi there!

My betta fish (Alpha) is acting quite abnormally.  I've had him for about 9 months now, and up until about a week ago he was acting fine.  But then he stopped eating, which is pretty unusual for him (since he'll gob down tons of food).  Since last week, I've changed his tank, and tried to get him new food.  He officially is not eating anything now.  He lives in a little more than a gallon bowl, which I fill with room temp. bottled water.  I don't know the precise temp of his water, but room temp is about 72 degrees, and he sits under a lamp (not too hot).  Abnormalities beside the "not eating" include: less bubbles at the top of the tank (almost none!), less swimming around the tank, hangs out at the bottom of the tank more and will swim rapidly to the top to get air, breathes heavily at the bottom.  I've removed the fake plant he usually has, and now it's just water and marbles.  What should I do?!  I love my little fish!  Please help!

Lisa

Answer -
Hi Lisa,

It is quite likely that Alpha was stressed out because of his new surroundings, which lead to illness. His symptoms suggest to me ammonia poisoning which is common when a fish switches tanks, as the good, ammonia eating-bacteria are not colonised in the tank yet. These good bacteria turn ammonia - which is toxic to fish - into less harmful nitrates and nitrites. This process is called cycling.  

They live in the gravel mainly, and in the filter media in a filtered tank. But assuming your tank is not filtered, most of the colony would be in the gravel. It is important not to wash the gravel too thoroughly - by all means, remove the poo and waste, but only wash the gravel  in decholinated water, preferably the water you have removed from your tank. Washing the gravel in hot or chlorinated water will kill the good, ammonia-eating bacteria!

For now, do a 50% water change every third day for about two weeks. Stir up the gravel and remove the dirty water but do not over clean. It is unneccessary to scrub the tank sides etc.

If you can, get some AQUARIUM salt, not table salt, from your local pet/fish store. It eases stress and is a general preventative for disease. I add a pinch of aquarium salt to my water at every water change.

I hope Alpha is better soon!

Prue

Answer
Hi Lisa,

I am sorry to hear that Alpha is not fully better yet. It is often harder for older fish to recover. Bettas are sold to pet stores at about 4 months of age, and you have had Alpha for nine months, so he would be about one year and one month old.. about 60 in human terms. A bettas general lifespan is 1-3 years.

But you sound like you take great care of him so I am confident he will recover.  

If you have not already done so, I would recommend you stop using whatever medication you were using. We don't want to over-medicate. Continue using the salt. I think it is safe now to increase the amount of time between water changes, maybe every week now?

I hope Alpha is better soon,

Prue.