Just introducing myself

Hello,

Thank you for this forum! I'm a newbie to computers on forums, so I hope you'll help me out patiently here. Even had a hard time figuring out where to open this page :cry: .

Anyway, I have had a few bettas in the last five years or so. I'm trying to develop a planted 10-gallon tank for my one betta. It's harder than a bowl! But he's happier.

I have other questions to ask about him, because he had an accident and now can't stay afloat. He's very inquisitive, and made his way into the gravel vacuum. :22_yikes: :jaw-dropping: The vet says as long as he's eating not to euthanize him. I hand feed him with tweezers, and he takes it like a baby. When he's done, he turns his head away. He'll let me put my hand under his and move him from place to place. I have all kinds of props along the water edge so he can rest there. He's almost 2 years old.:dance2:

Anyway, that's my story. I don't know if I should now post this in illness/ailments or what. I'd like to know other people's feelings about keeping him alive. I really love him. And I think he trusts me, even though I was clumbsy and stupid with the vacuum. Do you think he's in pain? He's still eating.

Anyway, thanks for reading.
BettaBlue

Thanks for the welcome! I'm very nervous, because this is so new, and I'm in such need of so much help!

No, there's no fin damage as far as I can tell. I'm thinking he injured either that fin on the underside of his belly or along the top of his spine.

His color though has changed from bright blue in the belly to like a bruised red look.

Should I add anything like epsom salt or aquarium salt to his water? Would any of this make him bloat more or help get rid of fluids? I put him in an epsom bath last night after reading some of the posts on the other links and it did seem to help him feel comfortable. He didn't move all night, just laid on one of his props to sleep. Not jumpy like sometimes. Someone said that salt might help him float better? But I'm concerned about his skin?? Because I don't believe this is a true illness, but an injury, I'm not sure what to do. Or how much pain he's in. He definitely can't stay afloat in the water. His tail sinks and he works his tiny clear fins near his gills.