My seven year old female crowntail betta

[lillyandquigly]

I have done multiple water changes, still no imrpovement. She has dropsy, and it's lasting a while. Now she is swimming with a hump, she is sluggish now. Is this just because she's seven? Is there anything I can do?

[aemaki09]

Seven? Wow! I didnt think they lived that long! Average is 4ish?

Anyways, dropsy is usually terminal, even if you do think you cure it, usually it ends up popping back up within 6 months. Is she pine-coning? and how long has she been? If you catch it early enough theres a chance that you can cure her, but it sounds like she's had it for a while.
If this was me, which its not, I would euthanize just because of how hard it is to treat, i'm sure she's probably suffering now, plus she is 7, so even if you did treat you really have no idea how much longer you'd have left with her anyways.

[registereduser]

That's like 200 years old in human years! Congratulations for caring for her so well!

[callistra]

7? Could just be aging out unfortunately..

More info would make sure we don't miss anything:http://www.bettafish.com/showthread.php?t=49233

Photos might also help

But I would get her in water with 1 tsp per gallon epsom salt - 100% pure magnesium sulfate with no additives or anything per the ingredients label. It's safe for plants and safe to use for months, some say indefinitely. Should be predissolved and added very slowly over an hour+ to avoid shock from any ph changes.

[lillyandquigly]

She's had it for two months, so I don't think I'm going to treat her except for water changes, it might stress her out to treat her I think.

[blu the betta]

congrats on her age.

[callistra]

Epsom salts are very natural and non stressful, so long as you acclimate. That's why I suggested those instead of meds.

She won't get better unless you try something.

[lillyandquigly]

Last time I tried epsom salts on my five year old betta, Fhil, it just made him worse and he died

[sunlight]

Betta are very tolerant to the salt especially to Epsom salt . It very mild and it really safe to use it. I don't think betta can die from it if you used right dosage and dissolved before adding it in the tank :) May be it just coincident that happened at one time.

[lillyandquigly]

Would stress coat work too?