About two years ago, I was gifted a male betta by a student. The betta hadn't been very well cared for, but I got him into a 5-gal tank with a filter and heater. He has snail buddies, a plant, and some assorted decorations. He had been very active and playful, and seemed overall in good health.
About a month ago, my apartment flooded and we had to move to a temporary apartment while repairs were made. Since we've been in the new place, Astraeus has been doing nothing but lying in the bottom of his tank -- usually in a corner if he can. I thought maybe I overfed him, but after a two-day fast, I gave him a soaked betta pellet, and he refused to eat.
My partner suggested he might be bored in his new location (he's in the kitchen instead of in the living room here), but he ignores any new toys we put in the tank and he flees and hides instead of flaring if we offer him a mirror. (Previously, he always would flare for a few minutes before swimming away satisfied.)
After reading about swim bladder issues (and potentially dropsy?), I gave him a bath in Epsom salt tonight. (Bath with 1 tbsp Epsom salt for 15 minutes, then recovery tank for 5 minutes, then back into his normal tank.) He was doing a little better immediately after -- swimming a small amount, though he was still sinking pretty consistently, and he did poop a bit -- but now he's back to lying on the bottom and hiding in the corner.
Testing the water, it's at:
Temp: 80-82 degrees F
Ammonia: 0ppm
Nitrites: 0ppm
Nitrates: 30 ppm
pH: 7.8 (which is slightly high, but actually lower than it normally is)
I took some pictures after the Epsom bath -- it's kind of difficult for me to tell if he's actually pineconing and how bad the swelling/bloating is.
I'd really appreciate some advice on what steps to take next!
About a month ago, my apartment flooded and we had to move to a temporary apartment while repairs were made. Since we've been in the new place, Astraeus has been doing nothing but lying in the bottom of his tank -- usually in a corner if he can. I thought maybe I overfed him, but after a two-day fast, I gave him a soaked betta pellet, and he refused to eat.
My partner suggested he might be bored in his new location (he's in the kitchen instead of in the living room here), but he ignores any new toys we put in the tank and he flees and hides instead of flaring if we offer him a mirror. (Previously, he always would flare for a few minutes before swimming away satisfied.)
After reading about swim bladder issues (and potentially dropsy?), I gave him a bath in Epsom salt tonight. (Bath with 1 tbsp Epsom salt for 15 minutes, then recovery tank for 5 minutes, then back into his normal tank.) He was doing a little better immediately after -- swimming a small amount, though he was still sinking pretty consistently, and he did poop a bit -- but now he's back to lying on the bottom and hiding in the corner.
Testing the water, it's at:
Temp: 80-82 degrees F
Ammonia: 0ppm
Nitrites: 0ppm
Nitrates: 30 ppm
pH: 7.8 (which is slightly high, but actually lower than it normally is)
I took some pictures after the Epsom bath -- it's kind of difficult for me to tell if he's actually pineconing and how bad the swelling/bloating is.
I'd really appreciate some advice on what steps to take next!