Housing
What size is your tank? 2.5 gallon
What temperature is your tank? Around 75
Does your tank have a filter? Yes, unsure type (Basic, cheaper filter)
Does your tank have an air stone or other type of aeration? No
Is your tank heated? Yes
What tank mates does your betta fish live with? None
Food
What type of food do you feed your betta fish? Betta Buffet Flakes (Normally eats just fine)
How often do you feed your betta fish? Once daily, but hasn't eaten in a week
Maintenance
How often do you perform a water change? Every other day
What percentage of the water do you change when you perform a water change? 30%
What type of additives do you add to the water when you perform a water change? One drop Amquel, Fungus Guard as of late
Water Parameters:
Have you tested your water? If so, what are the following parameters?
Ammonia: n/a
Nitrite: n/a
Nitrate: n/a
pH: n/a
Hardness: N/A
Alkalinity: N/A
Symptoms and Treatment
How has your betta fish's appearance changed? Complete fin deterioration, loss of red color
How has your betta fish's behavior changed? Constantly at the bottom of the tank on his side, "breathing" heavy, rarely swims to top for oxygen, crash lands on the bottom of the tank after
When did you start noticing the symptoms? Two weeks ago
Have you started treating your fish? If so, how? Tried Fungus Guard with no result. Contacted aquarium store purchased from and advised to continue. Thought fish would die a week ago, but still hasn't passed.
Does your fish have any history of being ill? Extensive. Sick when purchased. Multiple bouts with fungus, fin rot, and SBD. Basically not what I signed up for when I bought my first betta. Never returning to the store.
How old is your fish (approximately)? Approximately around 8 months, retrospectively believe already much older at purchase.
Basically, I've had Max for eight months. I believe he was already old when I purchased him from the aquarium store, which I will not return to. He's been sick so many times, but nursed back most times. He has not eaten food in week. I clean the tank after putting in flakes and every other day I do a 30% water change. I use distilled water and add some Amquel just in case. Have not done water testing due to budget (Last time he got sick, I tried so hard and spent over budget on Max). At this point, I just sit at my desk working and get distracted by his behavior. Attached is a photo. I've considered using clover oil for the past few days, but I just can't bring myself to do it. I know I've messed up somehow, but I cannot figure out what to do for him. My first Betta has not gone well...
Please help Max. It's driving me crazy.
What size is your tank? 2.5 gallon
What temperature is your tank? Around 75
Does your tank have a filter? Yes, unsure type (Basic, cheaper filter)
Does your tank have an air stone or other type of aeration? No
Is your tank heated? Yes
What tank mates does your betta fish live with? None
Food
What type of food do you feed your betta fish? Betta Buffet Flakes (Normally eats just fine)
How often do you feed your betta fish? Once daily, but hasn't eaten in a week
Maintenance
How often do you perform a water change? Every other day
What percentage of the water do you change when you perform a water change? 30%
What type of additives do you add to the water when you perform a water change? One drop Amquel, Fungus Guard as of late
Water Parameters:
Have you tested your water? If so, what are the following parameters?
Ammonia: n/a
Nitrite: n/a
Nitrate: n/a
pH: n/a
Hardness: N/A
Alkalinity: N/A
Symptoms and Treatment
How has your betta fish's appearance changed? Complete fin deterioration, loss of red color
How has your betta fish's behavior changed? Constantly at the bottom of the tank on his side, "breathing" heavy, rarely swims to top for oxygen, crash lands on the bottom of the tank after
When did you start noticing the symptoms? Two weeks ago
Have you started treating your fish? If so, how? Tried Fungus Guard with no result. Contacted aquarium store purchased from and advised to continue. Thought fish would die a week ago, but still hasn't passed.
Does your fish have any history of being ill? Extensive. Sick when purchased. Multiple bouts with fungus, fin rot, and SBD. Basically not what I signed up for when I bought my first betta. Never returning to the store.
How old is your fish (approximately)? Approximately around 8 months, retrospectively believe already much older at purchase.
Basically, I've had Max for eight months. I believe he was already old when I purchased him from the aquarium store, which I will not return to. He's been sick so many times, but nursed back most times. He has not eaten food in week. I clean the tank after putting in flakes and every other day I do a 30% water change. I use distilled water and add some Amquel just in case. Have not done water testing due to budget (Last time he got sick, I tried so hard and spent over budget on Max). At this point, I just sit at my desk working and get distracted by his behavior. Attached is a photo. I've considered using clover oil for the past few days, but I just can't bring myself to do it. I know I've messed up somehow, but I cannot figure out what to do for him. My first Betta has not gone well...
Please help Max. It's driving me crazy.
