[betta001122]

I have had my betta for about 16 months now and for while she hasnt been eating the food I give her and I have just noticed a lot of change in her colour.

The first photo is from the day I got her and the second is from today.


What should I do? Does she have an infection?

In the second picture you can also kind of see a lump under her chest, this wasn't there before and is it bad?

 

[betta001122]

What size is your tank? 1 Gallon
What temperature is your tank? Room tempreture
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? Betta Bio-Gold pellets
How often do you feed your betta fish? Two or three times a week. Has been decreasing as it doesn't eat the food much anymore so it goes mouldy at the bottom.

Maintenance
How often do you perform a water change? Twice a month
What percentage of the water do you change when you perform a water change? 3/4
What type of additives do you add to the water when you perform a water change? Prime water conditioner

Water Parameters:
Have you tested your water? If so, what are the following parameters? No

Ammonia:
Nitrite:
Nitrate:
pH:

Symptoms and Treatment
How has your betta fish's appearance changed? Loss of colour, unusual bump on chest
How has your betta fish's behavior changed? Doesn't eat or swim much
When did you start noticing the symptoms? 6 months ago, have increased
Have you started treating your fish? If so, how? No
Does your fish have any history of being ill? No
How old is your fish (approximately)? Bought 16 months ago

 

[betta001122]

Ok thank you this is the first time I have owned a betta and I am quite unsure of what I should be doing. So change the water three times a week and he should start to get better? And some tips on how to acclimate would be great!

 

[betta001122]

Also the lump underneath his head near the front fins it is quite hard to see but I shall try to get a better photo. It looks like a bulge next to the front fins.

This photo shows it better

 

[betta001122]

THANK YOU!!! Also what do you think the lump is?

 

[betta001122]

Ok thank you very much so if I pre soak the pellets I currently have just to use them up it will be fine? Also the pellets are by Hiakri and are the Bio-Gold ones are these not good?

 

[betta001122]

Ok this is the lump circled and I will definitely go do the epsom salt thing straight away. Thank you very much for your help! Also I have never used aquarium salt what would be the cause of this then?

 

[betta001122]

Ok thank you he is currently acclimating and I will follow up with the epsom salt treatment starting today. I have never used aquarium salts so is the cause of this just the bad water? I feel terrible now!

 

[betta001122]

Also Beuatiful Betta's comment on the food, what can I do to my current food so I will still be able to use it or does he need special food?

 

[betta001122]

Here is a better photo of him :-(

 

[betta001122]

Sorry another point, I live in Australia so where would I be able to find these recommended foods?

 

[betta001122]

Ok thank you all. Is there anything else I can do to save him and if not how much longer do you think he has?

Also the first four ingredients are: Fish meal, wheat flour, soy bean meal and rice bran.

 

[betta001122]

Keep an eye out to see if his scales raise as well, as that could be a sign of dropsy.

Like in my latest photo? :-(

 

[betta001122]

I have done that now and will follow your program for the next four days. Do you think there is any chance of survival?

 

[betta001122]

How long is the average life of a betta?

 

[betta001122]

How would you perform euthanasia? The toilet?

 

[betta001122]

Thank you everyone for trying to help I will post updates each day

 

[betta001122]

Just to let you all know he passed last night. Any suggestions on another low maintenance fish that will not need a filter or heater? Also I would like one that is colourful as they are the most pretty. Also someone who won't need the tank washed to frequently from a 1-2 gallon tank.

 

[betta001122]

Is there a specific breed that is better for this? Or is there another fish that can withstand this amount of water for a longer period of time?