She hasn't eaten in 3 weeks?!?!

Rava

Rava

Betta Babe
Dec 26, 2002
223
0
16
CA
When I got home from vacation 3 weeks ago, Vitara wasn't feeling well. She was pretty lifeless, acting kinda wierd, and had no appetite. I kept an eye on her for a few days, noticed she had white, stringy poop, and decided to treat for an internal parasite. I gave my mom the name of the recommended medicine for internal parasites (starts with an M, can't think of it right now!) while she was out by Petsmart. She wasn't able to find that, so she picked up (something-clear?) fizzing tablets, for internal and external parasites. I followed the instructions- 1 dose, and 48 hours later a 25% water change and another dose. Nothing's changed. I occasionally put up to 3 pellets in right near her to see if she'll eat them, and she shows no interest in them at all. She actually backed away from them the last time I tried it. :rolleyes: It's been 3 weeks since I've been home from vacation, and I don't believe she's eaten once. Is that possible?

What do I do? I'm at loss...
 
i had a bout with the exaxt same problem last year with my angelfish. i move around a lot so they get stressed out a couple times a year. anyways same problem, stringy white poop and no appetite, couldn't find any malechite green, used parasite-clear instead, no noticable improvement. i don't have any miracle cure for you, but i just waited it out and tried some different kinds of foods. from what i read online, it is a problem with internal parasites and the white "poop" is actually not poop at all, but sloughing off off stomach and intestice cells in an effort to get rid of the parasites (gross, i know). my angelfish didn't eat a bite for a record 8 weeks. i didn't really do much after the parasite clear didn't work, just tried to make him as comfortable as possible and hope his own immune system got over it. i added a little salt to the water to promote slime coat and stress relief. eventually he started eating again and is still alive right now.
 
Thank you so much Biogirl!! That was extremely helpful! I just feel cruel knowing she's not eating and sitting around watching her, but I guess there's not much else I can do.

OreionGirl, I'll look into other foods for bettas and see about getting some! Thanks. :)

AFG- I thought of that, but seeing as she won't eat her food, I couldn't see her eating the junk around the tank. And she doesn't move much either. I go to bed with her in one spot, and wake up to her in the same. My sister keeps asking if I'm sure she's not dead, 'because she hasn't moved'. If it wasn't for occasionally seeing her open her mouth to the surface, I'd doubt that she lived too. :-s I just feel terrible for her...

Thanks again for your help. :)
 
Actually, if it is a bacterial infection (internally), it almost always takes longer than 48 hours to clear up. I think I had to do this once, with a fish I bought off of a friend, and it took like 5-7 days to clear up. When the problem is internal, you cannot usually “see” the problem. Certainly, white stringy poop for a week or two on end would be an indication that something is wrong. If the fish has any blood marks, especially on the tails and fins – this is also a sign of an internal bacterial infection.

If it turns out that this is what is wrong with your fish, I fear the problem is not yet resolved and could get worse pretty soon.
 
more tips

here are a few more helpful tips to try. first, raise the temp. in the tank up about 2-4 degrees higher, this will accelerate their immune system. second look for internal parasite gaurd and feed it pepso food. also as far as staying in one spot it could have what is called shimmy. check to see if it shakes, rock, or trmbles while in one spot. of so look for shimmy block or molly bright.

best of luck to you.
 
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