More Beta Questions + Discus Question

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raspberries

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Mar 15, 2008
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Hi Everyone! It's been quite awhile since I've browsed this site. I hope everyone is happy and healthy. :)

BETA EATING HABITS AND PERSONALITY CHANGE

One of my betas is acting... different. I have two, divided in a 10g. It's filtered and properly heated and treated, yet he's been acting a little funny lately. Not really sickly, besides the fact that he isn't eating like he used to. He looks the same, but he's lost some personality or something.

I don't know if I should quarantine him. He has no visible illness. I don't want him to take him out of the space he has now, but I don't want my other fish to get whatever he has, if he has it.

My major worry is his appetite. He used to go for his food with speed and determination, but now he just stares at it, and MAYBE he'll try for it, but if he misses he swims away.

He also doesn't show the enthusiasm he used to when I came near to the tank.

About two weeks ago, I switched which sides of the tank they would be on, and that's when I began noticing that he wasn't eating. I left him in the new side for about a week and a half, but thought maybe he preferred the current of the filter and returned him to his original side, but he continued this attitude, lol.

So I JUST threw a freeze dried bloodworm in there for him and he swam away from it and now he's hanging out in the corner.

It was my other fish that had all the problems before, when I bought him looking sick from the store. This one I bought healthy, and has always been healthy, so I don't know what's wrong.

Should I just not put any food in his side for a few days until he gets hungry enough? He's not eating them at all because I find the worms there still the next day.

Things I have tried:
1: 50% Water change.
2: Experimented with lighting changes.
3: Experimented with filter changes.
4: Switched foods between blood worms and flakes. (I can't find anywhere that I can buy live food.)

SHREDDED FINS

ALSO (Yes, I know I am writing a lot, sorry >.< );
His fins used to be really healthy, but now they are shredded. He's never had fin rot, I don't use a net to transfer my fish, he's never been sick, and the plants in his tank are quite smooth. I removed some, just in case, but I was wondering if this is normal? I notice a lot of people's betas have shredded fins. Is it normal for their fins to become shredded looking after time? I can't see any other reason.



I may just be completely over reacting. I had so much trouble with getting my first beta healthy, I may just be supersensitive to any changes. I do wish he would just eat like he used to. lol

Any other suggestions to what I can do? Basically, I am now at the "wait and see stage."


DISCUS QUESTION:

A friend of mine is giving me another tank. She hasn't told me what size it is, but I expect it is a 10 or 20g. Is it large enough for 3 discus? What are their limitations?



Thank you so much for reading. :)
 
SHREDDED FINS

ALSO (Yes, I know I am writing a lot, sorry >.< );
His fins used to be really healthy, but now they are shredded. He's never had fin rot, I don't use a net to transfer my fish, he's never been sick, and the plants in his tank are quite smooth. I removed some, just in case, but I was wondering if this is normal? I notice a lot of people's betas have shredded fins. Is it normal for their fins to become shredded looking after time? I can't see any other reason.
Click to expand...

Is he an older betta? My bettas all had this happen as the matured and the finnage grew very long and full. From what I found on the internet they "blow" their fins when they are too long and heavy for the fish to carry around. Basically it is like a snake shedding its skin or a bird molting. During these time I always made sure their water was very very clean and I added a little more stress coat/betta fix to help with the regrowth. I had one betta that would blow his fins, regrow them, and blow them again about every two/three months for a year until he passed from old age.

I can't help with the appatite problems but have you noticed that he is constipated? Maybe give him a little boiled shelled pea and fast him for a day or two and see if that helps.
 
I'm not sure his age. I've had him for about 6 months or so. He's not very old unless the store sold him to me old, lol.
How do know know when they are regrowing their fins? I do have some betta fix that I use. Thank you for your reply ^^

I don't think he's constipated. He's a very tiny fish, and it's easy to tell when he's a little bloated or whatnot, but I will keep a closer eye on this. But I will try what you said and see what changes happen.
<3
 
I wouldnt put 3 discus in anything smaller than a 55...
I would also reccommend keeping no less than 5 discus..

they can get up to about 8" (very large) but 6 inches is not uncommon.
they like Pristine water in the mid 80 Degree F range..
 
Last edited:
The Zigman said:
I wouldnt put 3 discus in anything smaller than a 55...
I would also reccommend keeping no less than 5 discus..

they can get up to about 8" (very large) but 6 inches is not uncommon.
they like Pristine water in the mid 80 Degree F range..
Click to expand...


Ah, I didn't realize they got so large. Thanks ^^
 
raspberries said:
I'm not sure his age. I've had him for about 6 months or so. He's not very old unless the store sold him to me old, lol.
How do know know when they are regrowing their fins? I do have some betta fix that I use. Thank you for your reply ^^

I don't think he's constipated. He's a very tiny fish, and it's easy to tell when he's a little bloated or whatnot, but I will keep a closer eye on this. But I will try what you said and see what changes happen.
<3
Click to expand...

Most of the time when mine would grow fins back it would be clear or very very pale and then gradually get more color. Also, once they start blowing fins they will never have "picture perfect" fins again. They may look a little ragged but as long as he is looking healty he should be fine.

Also I had one betta that would tear his own fins. When they were very long (and beautiful) if he was swimming and caught a glimps of them he would "chase his tail like a dog" and fight himself.
 
Yeah, I'm not concerned with "picture perfect". I think they have more of an edgy look with the shredded fins :P lol
He seems to be a little more active tonight, reacting to my movement and such. He's still not eating, but I gave them both a pea, and hopefully he keeps on this road to recovery. I kind of hoped that he would show signs of SOMETHING, so I could treat it.

To the complaints of others in my household, I opened the blinds to let some more natural light in the room where my tank is. I left the hoodlamp off today, and I think that may have been a factor to his mood swing, lol. It's awfully harsh, and I really don't need it on in the summer. Going to consider moving the tank into a more lighted area. Phew, hot in the house though. -_- lol

Thanks again for your input ^^


PS: "5g Mini Bow-Rowan(veil tailed betta) -->my first attempt at a semi-planted tank"
What plants do you have in there?

 
UPDATE:

I've put him in a smaller environment. He's been spending a lot of time on the bottom, so I took him out of the tank and put him in a large vase. He still won't eat. He tries at the food once, and then gives up and swims away from it.

In other news; My other betta absolutely loves the whole 10g to himself. lol Maybe I will use that extra tank for my second betta, so that they have more space to themselves. Maybe a few kuhli loaches in there with them.
 
UPDATE:

Still won't eat anything. Goes for the food, stares at it, might try and eat it, misses, gives up.
He also darted around wildly a couple times, and now he is just sitting there. Still no visible signs of any illness.

This is so frustrating because he was always the active healthy one. He looks perfect.
 
Also tried feeding him with a toothpick, using the water's tension to move the bloodworm to make it look like it was alive, lol. I spent 20 minutes dancing a worm in front of his face and all he did was stare at it. He followed it around a little bit, but it seemed like he's just decided that it takes too much effort to eat.
 
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