Difficulty Swimming!

[ClassicCharm]

Hello, I'm new here and I'm having a problem with my poor little guy!

I've had my betta for about a year and a half and haven't had any issues with him. I'm a university student so Rutherford has made several car trips with me back and forth from home to school in the past. He just made a trip yesterday and I've noticed today that he's been very inactive. He's spent most of the day lying on the stones on the bottom of his bowl. He does this for short periods normally, but not this often. I gave him some food to encourage him to surface so I could see him swim. He seems to be struggling- his fins seem to be working much harder than usual, but he's not using his tail fin- he has it clamped together to that the end comes to a point, and it seems that as he swims, his back end drags him back and pulls his body vertical. He did come up and ate but it seemed to be a lot of work, and now he's back on the bottom. Any idea what's up with him?

Sorry, while I'm a pre-veterinary student, I know very little about fish!! Thank you!!

Actually, now that I've looked around, it seems others have what sounds like the same problem as well. This is the most accurate response I've found elsewhere online:

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Freshwate...Betta-Fish.htm

[BettaxFishxCrazy]

This just happened with one of my CT males and he ended up passing away. :( He twirled and spun around and it seemed like he had no control over his fins. People told me that it was probably something internal; that he probably injured his swim bladder. I hope your fish recovers. :( I would just keep his water clean, warm and add aquarium salt. Hopefully someone can give you a better diagnosis.

[ClassicCharm]

Thanks. He's my little blue VT, my first fish and I'm very attached to him. Even my cats have learned to like him haha. The very little I know about fish physiology tells me that an issue with the swim bladder sounds about right. I've changed and purified his water, and I'm fasting him so hopefully he clears up. My only worry is that he won't get enough oxygen.

[BettaxFishxCrazy]

What size tank is he in? I would lower the water level a lot so he doesn't struggle to get to the surface.

[ClassicCharm]

About 2.5 gallons. No heater or pump. I lowered the water and have it under a lamp for some extra heat. He's a little more active and he can make it to the surface, but he's still struggling.

[BettaxFishxCrazy]

Ok good. I would turn the light off though so he doesn't stress out.

[alex1234]

i also had a betta fish before and he had hard time swimming up to the top so i lowered the water level and he lived for another long time

[ClassicCharm]

Completely healthy again!

Water change, fast for four days, a full pea one day, another pea and a full water change the next day, and he's good as new!

Thanks for the help BettaxFishxCrazy!

[truthequalslies]

pea? peas are bad for their digestive tract so try not to give him too many

[BettaxFishxCrazy]

That's great! Yeah, peas aren't good for them because their digestive tract can't break it down. Daphnia is recommended.