I keep my betta in a 2 gallon tank with a heater. A few days ago I noticed he started losing his color. Then two days ago he started hanging around the surface gasping for air. I did a full water change and he didn't improve. I then noticed that he had a cloudy swollen eye so I started him on Melafix right away. He's been on the medicine for 3 days. His eye is looking better but he's still gasping and refuses to eat. What do I do??
Reptile & Amphibian Forums
Welcome to kingsnake.com's message board system. Here you may share and discuss information with others about your favorite reptile and amphibian related topics such as care and feeding, caging requirements, permits and licenses, and more. Launched in 1997, the kingsnake.com message board system is one of the oldest and largest systems on the internet.
Please help my betta!
kuteypie36
Oct 24, 2007 08:03 AM
Replies (5)
phishie
Oct 25, 2007 07:35 AM
See if adding an air pump (with bubblers on it) will help. I just lost both of my bettas to this and couldn't figure it out. Usually refusing to eat means they will not make it very much longer, but I say it doesn't hurt to try. I wish you and your little one the best of luck. I hope he pulls through.
-----
Phishie
"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."
PanzersMom
Oct 25, 2007 07:08 PM
If he is breathing really heavy then there isnt enough oyxgen in the water and to help this get an air pump and get some bubbles in there. Also take out the heater. Bettas are cold blooded fish and dont need it.
PanzersMom
kuteypie36
Oct 26, 2007 08:00 AM
Thank you guys for your advice. I did purchase an air pump yesterday but it didn't seem to help. He's still at the surface breathing heavily. His color has returned and his eye has improved greatly but he's still gasping and he hasn't eaten in a week. Do you think this could be a sign of gill disease? I feel like I'm exhausting all of my options and don't know what else to do! 
phishie
Oct 26, 2007 08:34 PM
It could be gill disease. That's probably what was wrong with my poor little guys. Here's a link on it.
Gill Disease
-----
Phishie
"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."
minno
Oct 27, 2007 03:31 PM
I really hope your fish will get better soon. I probably can't help you since I am just learning myself, but here's a thought.
The heater: since my bettas have one they are just so much happier. They used to live in water of about 64F. I keep them now at 76-78, and they finally swim around, explore, build nests. I think it depends on your room temperature. Our house is often not much more than 60.
It's true, however, that warmer water is less oxygenated. Did you check the temperature in your tank recently?
Carolin
