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About Richard Hight
Expertise
I own several freshwater aquariums from 10 to 125 gallon. When provided with the correct information and detail, I can answer most questions about freshwater aquariums. Set up, cycling, maintenance, likely and unlikely tank mates, feeding. Moving? I've moved fish both across town and across the country and can help you get your little aquatic friends to their new home safely. I know about most freshwater tropical fish and some Cichlids including Angels, Bettas, Blood Parrots, Brichardi Cichlids, Cory Cats, Danios, Farlowella Cat, Gouramis, Green Severum, Guppies, Kribensis Cichlids, Mollies, Oscars, Platys, Swordtails, Tetras, Tiger Barbs & Uaru Cichlid to name several I currently own. If I don't know the answer to your question, I will certainly do research and find the best answer for you. If I don't know the answer and unable to find it, I'll tell you. I will not give it my best shot or an educated guess as this could potentially put your pets in danger. I am NOT an expert with Goldfish, Koi, Cod, or Frogs etc. I also cannot answer any questions about saltwater fish or aquariums.

Experience
Many years of personal experience with fish and aquariums

Education/Credentials
High School Graduate

You are here: Experts > Animals/Pets > Pet Fish > Freshwater Aquarium > My betta has some problems

Freshwater Aquarium - My betta has some problems

Expert: Richard Hight - 11/4/2009

Question
My crowntail betta has been darting/flashing for over a week now without any signs of white spot or velvet. However he banged against the tank quite a bit at some point and now i think I can see a couple of very tiny line of grey on the side of his face, its not a spot however and I wondered if it was a result of injury/scratch from banging against the thermometer, waterplants and/or tank. One or two tiny scale looks missing/turned slightly grey too. You can hardly tell however (even after 2 weeks of this) and I wondered if I am imagining things due to concern, its that subtle. His appetite remains voracious and at one point he became constipated due to over-eating.

I let him fast for a day or two and then fed him some pea (which was devoured). His symptoms during constipation was such: The first day of his constipation resulted in him lying at the bottom of the tank, the second day (despite having no food) saw him recover a little (still no poop after 3 days), after the pea on the third day, he did a normal brown poop bloob immediately.

I allowed him to rest for another day before feeding him. He went crazy with joy when I fed him blood worms and almost jumped out of the water trying to get them. I gave him 3 before I realised because he was so enthusiastic and gulped everything down so quickly. Later in the evening however, he did a light or white transparent blob with a slight green tinge for a poo. He did eat a lot of pea but I am concerned. Is this normal? and his poop are always a blob. There was only one occassion that i can recall where he did a very large brown poop with a bit of white dusting on top (This was prior to his constipation and when he didn't go for days as well.)

His darting/flashing has not ceased and I worry that he might hurt himself soon, although he is very lively once more and has the appetite of a goldfish.

I've recently noticed that 2 of the edges of his tail fin became a little bent/about to break. This was after the constipation and I am concerned. His colors are still very dark and vibrant (except for several very miniscule spot on his scale previously mentioned that appears slightly grey - although I'm not sure if i am imagining this)He has a dark forest green body and the colors remained consistent and vibrant.

The water tested 0 for Ammonia, nitrates and nitrites. Temperature has been consistent at 78-80 F, although a week ago the heater broke. I change 25-35% of his water every 2-3 days and do a 50-70% water change every week. Poop was never allowed in the water for more than a few hours.

I would appreciate any help or advice that you can give. Thank you in advance for taking the time to read this.

Regards
Amy

Answer
Hi Amy

Darting around the tank is usually a sign of a parasite or bacterial infection. I would add 1 tsp of freshwater aquarium salt per gallon of water to his tank and try Pimafix. Follow the directions on the bottle carefully.

You didn't mention what type of tank he is in? He should be in a 5 gallon heated and filtered aquarium. Temperature should be around 78°. You also should not be changing more than 30% of his water weekly, unless he is in an unfiltered aquarium or bowl etc. In this case, 20-25% water changes every 2-3 days is recommended.

Hope this helps, good luck!

Richard

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