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About Lynda
Expertise
I can help you with cichlids, african cichlids, betta fish. I have bred most of them, including the Discus, and Angel Fish, and Rams. I have also bred many african cichlids. I have bred bettas too...well I am a fish nut! I can help you with most diseases, and have experience in setting up a tank. I can tell you tricks on keeping your water alkaline without products. I also speak and write french. I have experience with salt water fish, but would rather not get into that field. Please when writing to me, give me detailed information. The size of your tank, your water chemistry, etc. The more I know, the more I can help you. I cannot guess at what you have, so please give me information and I will do my outmost to help you with any question you ask me. Please do not ask me questions on Goldfish, mollies, platies, and guppies. Lynda

Experience
I have worked in Petshops in the fish department...was Manager in two...and alot of my experience came from my home where I had 26 aquariums from 20 gallons to 200 gallons.

Publications
I have a MSN group but it has nothing to do with fish

Education/Credentials
I have finished high school, and went to college, in accounting

Past/Present Clients
Too many to mention

You are here: Experts > Animals/Pets > Pet Fish > Fish > My Betta, BB

Fish - My Betta, BB

Expert: Lynda - 11/4/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hello, my betta, BB, is very sick. About 3 weeks ago I noticed that he was floating sideways in the tank. He tries to swim but just goes right to the top and leans on his side. I did some research and found out that he could be constipated, so I stopped feeding him, put him in a separate bowl and tried to get him to eat a pea or two, I think he might have got some in his tummy. I waited for the poo and still nothing. I work at a pet shop and the aquatics specialist told me to try Bettafix, so two days ago, I started the one week medication. Now BB's eye is popping out and he is loosing his color. He is now hunched over like a horseshoe. What can I do to make him better. Oh yeah, after feeding him the pea, I gave him a bath in epson salts. Is BB dying and if so, is he in pain, I don't want him to be in pain. Should I keep up with the Bettafix and hope for the best or is this the end of my poor BB? If this is the end for him, is there a quick and painless way to put him down so he doesn't suffer anymore?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated,
Thanks you,
Laura

ANSWER: Hi Laura,
Bettafix will not help him. "Kanamycin" is very good for Swim Bladder Disease, but sometimes hard to find. If you cannot find it, treat him with "Tetracycline" as soon as possible. Swim Bladder will lead to Dropsy if left untreated. Change all of his water, and try "Tetracyline" If you see that he is not getting better, then it would be better to take him out of his misery. Wait 2-3 days, and see if there is a change in his behavior. Three weeks is a long time to wait, to treat him. Bettafix will not cure Swim Bladder Disease.
To euthanize a fish so that he does not suffer you will find the answer on the web. Just put in search "How to euthanize a fish using clove oil" It will tell you step, by step what to do. It would be too long for me to write all of this down here.
I hope the little guy makes it.
Lynda

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Lynda, thank you for the advice, I can not find the Kanamycin, however I did find the Tetracycline in capsules of 250 mg. it says to use one capsule per 5 gallons of water, my tank that BB is in is 2 gallons, I can figure out the amount to give him but how often and for how long should I treat him? I am cleaning his tank completely today, rocks and all and tonight after work I will get him on his new meds.

Thanks again, you've been very helpful. Keep your fingers crossed for BB, hopefully I'm not to late.
Laura

Answer
Hi!
You are very welcome, and I will keep my fingers crossed, and say a prayer for him.
Treat him for three days, then change all of his water, and continue treating him for another 3 days, and change all of his water again. I hope the little man makes it. Do not add aquarium salt to his water at this time. Keep me posted on how he is doing.
Lynda

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