Aboutmichael mccorry Expertise I can answer questions concerning tanks, setup, display, maintence,filters, heaters, substrates, CO2 Systems, lighting, arrangements.
Also water quality, chemical makeup and altering water parameters.
I can advise on fish selection, how to arrange the tank to minimize aggression, water parameters for specific fish, breeding and raisning fry.
Feeding and nutrition.
Lighting both flourescent and metal halide and everything in between
Plants, selection, lighting and feeding requirements, CO2 Systems, and substrate selection as well as what plants will work with what fish.
Heating, and cooling the tank. Automating certain functions and what maintenence is necesssary to keep things looking good.
Fish diseases their diagnosis and treatment.
As well as other topics related to the hobby.
Experience I have been involved in Tropical Fish for over 30 years having bred or kept most everything that was out there at one time or annother.
I have worked in several shops and managed several more, I have owned my own shop for over 12 years and currently maintain more than 3000gals of fresh water and saltwater fish, plants and invertabrates.
I service tanks and respond to emergency calls.
I advise on design, placement and impact of displays and custom design and install whatever the client wishes.
I had a business within a business servicing systems for Dr;s,Offices, Restaurants, Hospitals, and private individuals.
Publications TFH
FAMA
American Cichlid Association
Education/Credentials I attended Clinton Comm. College and then went to work for the State of New York.
I also recieved training in the unrelated field of Law Enforcement.
I am a certified fish specialist both fresh and saltwater having attended seminars at the Backer Trade Shows in Atlantic City sanctioned by PPAC.
Awards and Honors I have won awards from the New York State Dept of Education and from the Govenors Office for Business of the Year in the Northern Tier.
I work as a consultant with the State assisting people who are starting a business.
Question My beta is at least 1 1/2 yrs old. I keep his tank clean and have never fed him live food. He began to become lethargic, often lying flat on a rock, not swimming. When aroused, he seemed disoriented, darting around. Then when he would come up to feed it seemed his back half was too heavy and it would pull him down and he would plummet to the rocks. Maybe he was just loosing the strength to swim, I don't know. Now he doesn't swim at all, lying on his side, barely alive it seems. He doesn't have bulging eyes, bloated gills, or any of the other obvious symptoms. He seems to have lost a lot of his color, and the fins maybe are a little ragged looking. Other than that, he looks normal - except he doesn't swim. I have now treated his water with salt and put in some blood worms for food, but he hasn't eaten (as far as I know) in a week. I don't want to see him suffer, but I don't know what to do.
Answer Tracie,
the beta could simply be old...in the wild their life span is no where near the time you have had this one.
Plus when you got it he was at least 9mos old then.
You could try a water change and elevated temp to around 86 or so.
At this point you don;t want to have the cure kill him so anything that you do has to be low key.
If you have more questions, just ask
