Strange sickness, Betta needs help!

[Lillyan]

Four days ago he was fin and swimming and flaring. The next day he is not eating and laying on his side and never moves from the surface. Two days ago, he is still not moving still from the top. No visible issues, he was more pale than normal. Today, he is slightly upright, still at the surface, slightly darker.
What the heck is wrong with him? How do I fix him?
He is not bloated, no fungus or ich or anything like that. I warmed up the water a bit, added salt and changed water.
I was sure he would of died overnight the way he was acting yesterday. Anyone know what I should try next to help him?



http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/139/l_18285d64061a424c89ffcb493bff5882.jpg

[platytudes]

How old is this betta? You may want to put your tank specs in your profile rather than "5 tanks around the house" so that people won't have to ask you "what are the tank specs?" because you know that's what we're going to ask next.

Did you spray any pesticides in the house or paint? Aerosol like air freshener anywhere? What you describe sounds like some sort of poisoning, and maybe it's just the pic but his gills and face area look red and irritated to me, like there are red raised lumps (like goosebumps almost)

[Lillyan]

His head is red, that's his normal coloring.
He is sectioned off in a 20gal, he has about 4 gal to himself. He is maybe 4-5 months old, tank is 5-6mo. No pesticides or anything like that, all Betta sharing the tank are fine. Tank is cycled and live planted. Water is Well Water, no contaminants in that. Nothing new added, etc. No bumps or any other outer issues.

[platytudes]

I can see that his head is different from his body coloring, but I am seeing what look like bumps - I circled it in the pic. It's ok if he always looks like that. It just looks off to me, but only you know how your betta usually looks.

Have you added CO2 for your plants? Sometimes that will cause pH to plummet, stressing out the fish.

[Lillyan]

No CO2 or anything, I don't even add liquid food for the plants since I ran out and stores are not selling the big bottle I always get.
As for the bumps, went up to take a close look, nothing is out of place, no bumps. No scales missing or bites or anything, all is smooth and normal.

[Lillyan]

No change, he still doesn't eat. He hasn't gotten any thinner either though. This is so weird...

[platytudes]

You could always try Indian almond leaves (or extract of, such as Atison's Betta Spa)...all your bettas would like it.

[Lillyan]

No idea where to get that as well as I do not have money to be using on this right now.

[platytudes]

It's really pretty cheap:
http://www.aquabid.com/cgi-bin/auction/auction.cgi?waterc&1273422330

If you keep multiple bettas, it's worth getting...especially if you are wanting to get them to breed.

[Lillyan]

He ate!!
I saw him eat a few tiny flakes tonight. I hope he continues to eat...
^.^

[Lillyan]

Last night was frozen blood worm day, so he didn't eat. But today was flake day and he ate some. Unfortunately, I over feed the tank just so he will get some food. I think they will be ok though. I'm keeping an eye on the levels and all.

[platytudes]

Aww, glad he ate! That's encouraging. A turkey baster works great for spot cleaning.

[Lillyan]

Yea, I just put some food in front of the filter spill way and some where he ends up going up to breathe or feed. Watch levels and sand to see if it needs a cleaning. I also have a blue/green crowntail female who is usually hiding at the bottom. She is still round because she eats, but I'm just hoping it doesn't turn into what the little boy has. Maybe more females would even the aggression. I have let him free in the tank with the girls, his divider was removed and he is doing well not getting eaten by them. They do not see him as a threat and totally ignore him. ^.^

[Lillyan]

Well, he managed to really screw himself over...
He got into the other males side and apparently, the other male chewed off his 'beard' and now he has a hard time eating. >.< Ugh, what was he thinking?!

[platytudes]

Yeah, this is why divided betta tanks make me antsy. They're such good jumpers! And not very smart about avoiding danger, as evidenced by bettas who have gotten stuck, gotten attacked, etc. in the past for me. Needless to say I don't combine them with cichlids anymore, not even "peaceful" ones like rams. And I keep decoration limited to plants and such, no caves or tight spots that can lead to drowning.

Well sorry about that, I hope he gets better!

[Lillyan]

Because he got sick, I haven't gone ahead and updated the tank yet. I put in permanent, Betta proof dividers in my other tanks.

[Lillyan]

He ate again! He is gonna be one ugly fish after all this is through...lol, poor guy.

[WinstonCourt]

He ate again! He is gonna be one ugly fish after all this is through...lol, poor guy.

I would make sure the water quality is good. I might even introduce some carbon in the filtering, just in case a toxin which you are not aware of is entering the water column. In can be anything, however, cover all the bases and make sure water quality is good. Sometimes even 'old timers' neglect ammonia, etc.

Good luck and keep us posted.

[Lillyan]

I test the levels every 2 days in tanks with sick fish. So far in this tank, all 0's. But yes, I should add a bit of carbon. Though I don't use carbon normally because the tanks are planted.

[Lillyan]

Well, he lost the battle.
Moderator, you can close this thread now.

[Juice]

Awwwwwwwwwww I'm so sorry to hear it.

:tombstone: lil man

[Lillyan]

Yea. Well now I can either get 2 females if they have any little, different colors than I have now. If not, I can get another male.

[H2Ogal]

Sorry for your loss.

[mel_20_20]

Sorry for your loss.

[Lillyan]

Thanks.