AboutDavid St Experience I have been in the hobby for over three years. I am currently setting up an online business to sell aquatic plants. I have raised and bred guppies, cichlids and goldfish. I currently keep over 200 differnt kinds of fish and over 100 different kinds of aquatic plants. I also have been part of a fish rescue group that take in fish people no longer want. I currently have 16 tanks at home plus two hosptital tanks, 1 snail tank, and a nursery for plants. I work in an aquarium so I have some experience in other areas that I do not feel I am an expert in. The most important piece of information that I would like to convey here is the fact that I love fish and have for many years been rewarded by keeping fish. I would like to be able to help people share the same kind of satisfaction that I have had from keeping fish.
Education/Credentials BS Business with emphasis in science.
Expert: David St Date: 7/18/2008 Subject: sick betta fish
Question I got a betta fish (Bob) at a wedding (he was a centerpiece in a bowl) I dont know why people use fish for decoration. Anyway, i bought him a gallon tank with a bubbler and light, and filled it with distilled water (per the petstore guy)It came with gravel and 2 little fake plants. I feed him freeze dried bloodworms. I have had him for 5 months and he is the first betta I have ever owned. He has been so ridiculously active and seemed very happy. He would swim up and around whenever anyone even goes in the room where the tank is. Last sunday i noticed he wasnt as interested in his food and was laying around. Everyday i thought i would come in to find him floating but he is hanging in there. He hasnt eaten in 6 days. If you make any sudden noises he darts around like mad for a few seconds, then lays on the bottom, sometimes on his side. He has no obvious signs of any diseases (i have been looking at A LOT of photos on the internet) I dont know what to do for him. I dont know anything about fish and am hesitant to run out a buy a bunch of crap from petco unless it could really help him. I dont know how much longer he has. What should i do?? Please help, Bob needs something but i dont know what......
Answer Betta fish can get bored... treat him with some live food... they love to hunt... especially brine shrimp. If that doesnt perk him up then I would try a dose of antibiotic... betta do better with antibiotics then with normal medication. You do not have to use distilled water with them but if you use tap water make sure you use a water conditioner to remove the chlorine. How often do you change his water??? In fact... since he is not eating I would try triple sulfate as a medication for him.... dave
