Listless Betta Fish

Question
Hi there, I hope you can help me.  I don't know much about fish at all, but have managed to keep my son's Betta fish alive for 3 years.  We keep him in a one gallon tank (with a light on top) that has no filter system.  His water gets changed every 3 or 4 weeks.  I usually condition his water and add aquarium salt.  I recently just discovered that I am not supposed to scrub out the tank (and rocks) or change 100% of the water -- that is what I have been doing from day one.  I guess our Betta is tough.

Since his last water change one week ago, our Betta has not been eating.  He is quite large and still colorful, and looks healthy.  We have noticed his activity has declined in the last half a year or so.  Is there anything we can do that will make him start eating again?  His appetite was hearty before, eating 3 pellets in the am and 3 pellets in the pm.  I was going to change his water in the next day or two because the old pellets are collecting on the bottom of the tank.  Should I keep some of the water this time, or change it all completely?  Thanks for all your help.  My son is afraid he is dying.

Michelle

Answer
Hi Michelle;

Poor old guy. I'm afraid your son is probably right. Bettas live to be 2 or 3 years old usually and they are already a year old when you buy them. He has lived a good long life with you. He is indeed a very strong and hardy little fellow.

To keep him as comfy as possible and hopefully help him to eat again, change his water once a week and get his bowl to a warmer place. It is perfectly okay to change all the water every time and okay to do it as often as once a week. It really needs to be done that often even when he isn't sick. It is better not to scrub it out though. Just rinse everything and wipe the glass with your hand or with a clean paper towel. There is a colony of beneficial bacteria in the gravel and on the decorations that keeps ammonia levels down. (Ammonia is from fish waste) If you remove this bacteria by overcleaning it causes ammonia to rise and can cause discomfort or even death to the fish. Some fish tolerate it pretty well, others don't. It's just better not to subject them to it at all if you can avoid it. So, clean the tank out to get rid of the excess food and help him feel better and put him in a warm place to encourage appetite. That's the best you can do for him really.

Hoping he feels better......

Followups welcome

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins