[Little Leaf]

Rose, a betta I have got last month, seems to be sick. she is breathing hard and her belly seems to be a bit swollen, as if she is bloated. There was blue on her belly, too and i saw she collapsed on a shell yesterday, but she was darting a bit afterwards. I can't get any pictures now because she keeps moving too fast. and I'll also fill out the form below:

Housing
What size is your tank? 5
What temperature is your tank? unknown, thermomater acting weird
Does your tank have a filter? yup
Does your tank have an air stone or other type of aeration? no
Is your tank heated? the light went out so NO
What tank mates does your betta fish live with? about 8 other fish @[email protected]

Food
What type of food do you feed your betta fish? both flakes and pellets
How often do you feed your betta fish? 2 times A DAY

Maintenance
How often do you perform a water change? 2-3 times a week
What percentage of the water do you change when you perform a water change? %50-%100
What type of additives do you add to the water when you perform a water change? water conditioner

Water Parameters:
Have you tested your water? If so, what are the following parameters?

Ammonia: no
Nitrite:no
Nitrate:no
pH:no
Hardness:no
Alkalinity: no

Symptoms and Treatment
How has your betta fish's appearance changed? belly looks as if Rose is bloated and there is a hint of blue on it... hmm...

How has your betta fish's behavior changed? rapid breathing, moving faster than usual
When did you start noticing the symptoms? about last night
Have you started treating your fish? If so, how? i havent been feeding her but it's not working

Does your fish have any history of being ill? no
How old is your fish (approximately)? I have NOOOOOO idea

 

[Little Leaf]

err... A LITTLE HELP HERE? the lump is getting bigger each... what seems to be an hour!

 

[Little Leaf]

Can anyone help me at all? I really need HELP!!

 

[LaLaLeyla]

Seems like she may be bloated or have an internal parasite (don't quote me on this)

Try using some epsom salt and rising the water temp. If you don't have a heater try and move her to a warm part of the house.

 

[Little Leaf]

I haven't fed her for a while, and her poop is not white/stringy.

also, I don't have ES and Rose is already in the warmest part of my house (my bedroom)

 

[LittleBlueFishlets]

What is the reading on the thermometer? And why do you say it's acting "weird"? Thermometers are simple devices - is there a reason that you think it's not reading correctly?

Can you see a white egg spot on her abdomen? Does it look like it usually does?

 

[mellcrowl]

Petsmart sell aquarium salt for super cheap (no more than $5 usually) I suggest you get some. You have to be willing first off to take the time and money to treat your betta. Your room may be warm to you but your betta could be freezing (ok maybe not freezing but you catch my drift). Get a clear temperature reading and make sure she's at at least 78 degrees. Then try treating her with AQ salt.

I'm no expert be any means but it always better to be safe rather than sorry

 

[Little Leaf]

What is the reading on the thermometer? And why do you say it's acting "weird"? Thermometers are simple devices - is there a reason that you think it's not reading correctly?

Can you see a white egg spot on her abdomen? Does it look like it usually does?

first, it's acting weird because it went on 82, then 75, then 79 and the lightbulb broke so its not even possible for it to go to a temp more than 70. (BTW these temps are Fahrenheit)

second of all, I don't know what a egg spot looks like.

 

[Little Leaf]

Petsmart sell aquarium salt for super cheap (no more than $5 usually) I suggest you get some. You have to be willing first off to take the time and money to treat your betta. Your room may be warm to you but your betta could be freezing (ok maybe not freezing but you catch my drift). Get a clear temperature reading and make sure she's at at least 78 degrees. Then try treating her with AQ salt.

I'm no expert be any means but it always better to be safe rather than sorry

I already have AQ salt :-D I used it last time King Dedede had fin rot.

 

[LittleBlueFishlets]

first, it's acting weird because it went on 82, then 75, then 79 and the lightbulb broke so its not even possible for it to go to a temp more than 70. (BTW these temps are Fahrenheit)

If the heater is broken and the temperature can't go above 70, then Rose is freezing.

Did you tell your parents that the heater isn't working? Since they purchased one already, they must know that a heater is a "necessary" item.

Tell them they need to fix the heater or get a new one. Also, recommend that they get a thermometer like this one: floating glass thermometer. They cost $2.99 at Petsmart.

 

[Little Leaf]

If the heater is broken and the temperature can't go above 70, then Rose is freezing.

Did you tell your parents that the heater isn't working? Since they purchased one already, they must know that a heater is a "necessary" item.

Tell them they need to fix the heater or get a new one. Also, recommend that they get a thermometer like this one: floating glass thermometer. They cost $2.99 at Petsmart.

kay kay... But what else do i do? the blackness is spreading...

 

[AyalaCookiejar]

This is an internal problem. It should be treated with Epsom salt, not AQ salt. Sometimes when their bellies stretch out, they look to be a strange color. This could be an internal bacterial infection, as well, or perhaps the beginning of dropsy. Watch her for raised scales. It doesn't sound like it is internal parasites or constipation.

Internal bacterial infections can be treated with Kanaplex. Otherwise, I would get Epsom salt. There are a few other meds but Kanaplex is best, and IME, none of them are easy to find.

 

[LittleBlueFishlets]

Isn't Dedede in a separate 1 gal tank? Is his heater working? Can you find an opaque plastic cup (like a plastic drinking cup that you can't see through), and float Rose in Dedede's tank? It won't help with any illness that she may have, but at least she'll be warmer.

Definitely show your parents that the light is out on the heater, and ask them if they'll take you to the fish store today to pick up a new one.

On the picture below, the "egg spot" is circled. Is this where Rose has the swelling and discoloration? Or is the affected area closer to her stomach, which is just in front of the egg spot?

 

[Little Leaf]

This is an internal problem. It should be treated with Epsom salt, not AQ salt. Sometimes when their bellies stretch out, they look to be a strange color. This could be an internal bacterial infection, as well, or perhaps the beginning of dropsy. Watch her for raised scales. It doesn't sound like it is internal parasites or constipation.

Internal bacterial infections can be treated with Kanaplex. Otherwise, I would get Epsom salt. There are a few other meds but Kanaplex is best, and IME, none of them are easy to find.

Okay. I'm just about to go out so I'll keep an eye out for some Kanaplex.

 

[Little Leaf]

Isn't Dedede in a separate 1 gal tank? Is his heater working? Can you find an opaque plastic cup (like a plastic drinking cup that you can't see through), and float Rose in Dedede's tank? It won't help with any illness that she may have, but at least she'll be warmer.

Definitely show your parents that the light is out on the heater, and ask them if they'll take you to the fish store today to pick up a new one.

On the picture below, the "egg spot" is circled. Is this where Rose has the swelling and discoloration? Or is the affected area closer to her stomach, which is just in front of the egg spot?

okay. BTW Rose has a egg spot!

 

[LittleBlueFishlets]

LOL, that's good. Females are supposed to have them.

 

[Little Leaf]

Yessssssss!!!

LOL, that's good. Females are supposed to have them.

WOOT! I just went to petsmart. a dog jumped on me and i got a snail and a moss ball and a lightbulb for my tank. now my tank will be warm :-D