let's hope this one lives...

[aokashi]

Our LFS had a fire and decided not to reopen. hence selling of all the stock for cheap.
Yesterday I went and had to take home a lifeless betta... that was left for dead. it disn't look like it had much life left in him, but I tried anyway. he didn't make it. I thought he was the last one in the store, stacked amongst all these empty bowls in 1/2 in of water.

To my surprise today I found one more in the same pile. not as badly off as the one yesterday... but not much better. barely moves, he cant even swim up for a breath of air...

right now he is in the cup he came in. the water has been completely changed out over the past two hours. There is an inch of water....
The cup is floating in Makkuro, my baby betta's Jar... since it's the warmer tank I have in the house....

let's hope this one makes it :(

vid...
that's all he's done and all he's been doing. when he tries to swim it seems like the bottom half if his body is dead weight and drags him back down :/


http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y25...ps9e3e1356.mp4

[MiyuMikaelson]

Fingers are crossed for this one!
<3

[Oldfishlady]

Poor fella...lucky you came along...

One of the issues, as I am sure you already know-since he breaths air-that he may have some labyrinth organ damage due to the smoke and most likely why he is having problems.

I know I am probably not telling you anything you don't already know or already doing-but...
I would keep him in a shallow container that is covered with plastic veggie wrap to help retain heat/humidity for the labyrinth organ and add some tannins if you have any to get the water really dark-the more tannins the better-Epsom salt 2tsp/gal won't hurt at this stage either-Dim lit quiet location with limited water changes to 25% every other day to limit stress.

If he is wanting to eat-feed good quality varied diet and offer live mosquito larva if you have some to boost protein intake to promote healing and immune response-Be sure and remove any uneaten food right away due to limited water changes and add a sprig of live plant or floating plant(looks like you already have).

Good luck with him-you have your work cut out for you...
Positive thoughts...

[aokashi]

Thanks OFL, I'll brew somemore tannins for him.

I don't know why the photo makes him looks so good. he's got fin rot on all his fins, and a really red area near his tail.

he tried to eat a pellet earlier, but soon spat it out. atleast he has a little bit of a will to live. lol.

[Oldfishlady]

These are tough little fish and can surprise us sometimes thats for sure....I have had some Bettas bounce back that I never thought in a million years would survive....lol....

He is a good looking fella....I hope he makes it...

[aokashi]

Still alive.
Just did a refill/ drain water change, so as to disturb him as little as possible.

He struggles immensely to get a breath of air. sotimes he breathes heavily after doing so:
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y25...pscdb158f8.mp4


Just took another look and he's propped himself up towards the surface.

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[MiyuMikaelson]

I don't know if it's the lighting, but his colors already look a bit different.
:O

[aokashi]

yep, his colors show if he's not back lit...

Today he began to swim around a bit. his tail end is still dragging him down.
Ate a NLS pellet.

[MiyuMikaelson]

Any progress is good progress! At least he ate something.
:)

[shellieca]

We celebrate the smallest of improvements! I hope he makes it, can't wait to see him as he progresses. This is a true rescue story.