Please help!

[Alexandria]

I had done a 100% water change last week and I noticed the other day that my poor Squishy is not himself. Last night I was under the impression that he was gasping for his last breaths and tried to figure out the problem ASAP. With my fiance's help we discovered I had used 2x the amount of water treatment and figured he could not breathe properly in this condition. This assumption was made by observing how he stays at the top of the tank with his mouth right at the tip if the water like he is gasping for air. Last night he was on his side and at times almost belly up. We did another 100% water change with what we believe to be the right amount of water treatment. He is swimming around more but still gasps for air at the top (if that is what he is indeed doing) and is nolonger on his side or nearly belly up. He has not been eating and still did not eat this morning. Is there anything I can do to help my dear Squishy?

Housing
What size is your tank? 2.5 gallons
What temperature is your tank? I do not know
Does your tank have a filter? no
Does your tank have an air stone or other type of aeration?no
Is your tank heated? no
What tank mates does your betta fish live with?none

Food
What type of food do you feed your betta fish? freeze dried blood worms, he is picky
How often do you feed your betta fish? every morning

Maintenance
How often do you perform a water change? usually monthly, he was a happy active fish until a week ago
What percentage of the water do you change when you perform a water change? 100%
What type of additives do you add to the water when you perform a water change?
aquaphina + water treatment

Water Parameters:
Have you tested your water? never
If so, what are the following parameters?

Ammonia: Nitrite: Nitrate: pH: Hardness: Alkalinity:

Symptoms and Treatment
How has your betta fish's appearance changed? his colour is a little paler and his mouth seems..hazy?? Like the texture changed
How has your betta fish's behavior changed? he is about 25% his normal activity, not eating, 'gasping for air', swimming into the corners, just falls downwards once in awhile from the gasping state
When did you start noticing the symptoms? a few days ago
Have you started treating your fish? unsure what to do so did 100% water change with proper amount of treatment stuff
Does your fish have any history of being ill? no
How old is your fish (approximately)? Uhhm... I don't have a clue

[Karebear13]

Hi sorry to hear about your fish. I noticed you don't have a heater for your tank. A heater is very important for your fish and knowing the temperature is very important. Bettas need to live in very warm waters I'd say about 76 to 85 degrees. I suggest you buy a heater and a thermometer. But don't just place the heater in because he can go into temperature shock. First see what temp he is used to by getting a thermometer. Also Once a month changing the water is not enough for a 2.5 gallon. The bettas with anything below a 5 gallon need at least one 50% and one 100% water change weekly. My guess is he has ammonia poison. I would do a aquarium salt treatment but I would ask someone with a little more experience before that. Try PM Old Fish Lady. and showing her this thread

[Alexandria]

Thank you for the reply :) I am just on my way home from buying an air strip with pump, a plant and a ph test kit. I had no luck finding a heater for my tank but will try again at the end of the week. I will also start changing the water every week.

[Alexandria]

I also got one of Those sticker temperature strips

[Karebear13]

Yeah heaters are kind of really hard to find. The quickest buy would be one at petsmart I suggest Marina its not the best but it will get the job done. it's great that you bought a test kit those are really handy

[MyRainbowBettaFish]

sorry about your fish. I have used alot of conditonder on accident without any effects.

Also, on that size tank it NEEDS to be cleaned 3x a week, 2 50% and 1 100%.

Sounds like ammonia poisoning to me!

[Alexandria]

I found my old heater from when I had my dwarf frogs so I figure I could use that one. My PH is somewhere above 7.6 so I am trying to bring it down to closer to 7.5... I will look into how to treat ammonia poisoning. Thank you :)

[MyRainbowBettaFish]

no problem! also, dont bother with the ph. if you mess with it, it can make your tank unstable and cause deadly fluctuations.

My ph is 8.0-8.4 and my betta has thrived in it for almost 2 years!

[Alexandria]

Thanks for that tip :) I am going to try doing 30% water change every day until he seems better

[MyRainbowBettaFish]

that sounds good, but every other day would be perfect because too many water changes can actually stress them believe it or not.