Sick Bettas

Question
QUESTION: I keep 3 bettas at a time, each in their own one-gallon tank.  I change their water twice a week, faithfully.  My bettas still get sick.  I have one who has not eaten for 2 weeks, floats at the top, his body "shrinks" up and his color is bad.  I buy these bettas because I feel sorry for them at the fish store in such a tiny little cup.  But if I'm just going to kill them, there's no point in getting any more.  

Can you tell me what you do for your bettas on a weekly basis?  Currently I put dechloranator in the water but nothing else.  Is there other stuff I can add to help them before these problems start?  Also, what is the typical life span of a betta?  Can you help me!  I love these beautiful fish, but I can't seem to keep them alive.

ANSWER: Hi Jeanine,
Cheers for trying to help the bettas!! I use to rescue bettas too!

It sounds like the one sick betta has developed a conditioner I've had problems before with my bettas. It certainly sounds like swim-bladder disorder.

The swim bladder is a special organ that bettas and many fish have which is responsible for controlling the fishes equilibrium. If something interferes with it, of course the fish will loose his balance and often float miserably at the top while others may sink to the bottom and struggle to swim to the surface to breath.  The most common causes for Swim bladder are caused by a improper diet. Too much food at one time, or not enough variety can be a big factor to the problem.

I have found that bettas that are fed solely pellets often develop SBD. I think it may be that the food is too dry and creates a blockage in the intestinal track which puts pressure on the swim bladder. Sometimes just not enough variety is often the cuplrit. Bettas are carnivorous of course, but they are get roughage and fiber from the insects they consume in the wild, and I'd imagine that the insects themselves might be eating vegetable matter or algae and therefor when the betta eats them he gets that fiber as well.

I have three bettas right now --- two boys and a girl. I feed them flake food as their staple it is a brand called "Aqueon" tropical fish flake food. It contains quite different ingredients than your traditional food and it has less 'fillers' like corn or grain and more of the important stuff like fish meal other protein sources, spirulina, and garlic (great for immune system) So you might want to look for that. I feed my bettas two or three small meals a day.
*In the evening, they get a couple of frozen bloodworms or brine shrimp. This is everyday.
Occasionally I will give them a small bite of a green pea that has been thawed and peeled. Feeding both peas and frozen foods with a blunt toothpick works wonders! It also helps your bettas become tamer.

As far as water changing. Sounds like you are doing a wonderful job. I do a similar water change schedule. Usually about 50% two or three times a week. Being that your bettas are in 1 gallon containers, I'd change a little more than 50% each time. Make sure all filth from the bottom is cleaned.

Water dechlorinator is generally all you need for healthy happy fish. Some sources might recommend adding salt on a regular basis but I have found it completely unnecessary and only use salt when a fish is actually sick with a bacterial or fungal infection.

Now, for treating your little sick guy. I have experienced sicknesses like this in the past. It can take them weeks to heal. Many fish get better on their own but typically the best thing to do is to-
*Fast the fish for a day or so (since your betta hasn't eaten and seems emaciated, ignore this)
*offer a bite of green pea on the end of a toothpick.
*This treatment would have to be continued normally until the fish gets better. The pea feeding's purpose is generally to help remove a blockage in the fishes gut.

But I am worried because your betta doesn't sound 'bloated' or constipated and since he is very skinny... He may have a deformed swim bladder due to genetics or poor care in the past (nothing to do with your care but before you brought him home) sometimes bettas are just more prone than others and older bettas are especially more prone. Bettas can also get bruised swim bladders from injuries.

Bacterial infections, tumors, and viral infections may also infect the swim bladder. All these conditions are hard to diagnose and all we can do is try our best to help the fish and keep him as comfortable as possible.

~The typical lifespan of bettas is somewhat debatable. It is said that bettas kept in small containers will live typically about 2-3 years at most. While bettas kept in suitable larger aquariums can live up to 5-7 years. I have a couple of bettas in large aquariums but haven't had them long enough to really say. It's said that the bettas in smaller containers live shorter lives due to water quality issues, being overweight and autopsied fish often have atrophied muscles.

I'd make sure his water temperature is at least 80F as it will help his immune system. Keep his water sparkling clean and fresh. And I'd offer him some frozen food. I'm worried he may starve to death. Try him on frozen bloodworms wiggled in front of his nose with a toothpick, or try brine shrimp. No matter how frustrating or difficult it may be, don't give up on him. Keep trying even if it doesn't work after multiple tries.

And even if you do loose him. You can know that you tried all you could for him and that you didn't give up.

I hope all goes well and I wish you the best.

This is a really great sensible website on bettas-
http://nippyfish.net/

Karen~

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

QUESTION: One other question I had.  You mentioned doing more than a 50% water change.  What I currently do is completely remove my Betta with a net and scrub out his tank.  Of course, I put him into a holding tank with water conditioner and same temp as what he came out of.  Could this be part of my problem?  Am I just handling them too much?  Would you recommend NOT taking him out of his tank to clean it?  And how much water would you take out of a one gallon tank?

Answer
I usually use a small aquarium siphon to do water changes even on small tanks like this. But it is a little hard to do in such a small area I'll admit. Its really Ok to move the betta out when doing the complete water change. I'd use a brine shrimp net (which is a ton softer than a normal fish net since its made of silky cloth) or better yet carefully use the net to herd him into a plastic cup so he never leaves the water or risks his skin or scales getting damaged. A brine shrimp net won't damage him though.

With a 1 gallon. I'd take about 50% minimum every other day as part of a normal maintenance routine. Bettas just thrive on clean water and even with a little fish, the water can get polluted very quickly.

I hope this helps!
Karen~