betta sick or just getting old?

calimako

calimako

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May 19, 2003
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HI guys,
I've had my betta for almost 5 years now. I got it as a present so I really dont know how old this guy really is. anyways, he is housed in a 7 gallon vase and i feed him everyday and even have a little heater for him during the cold months making sure the water temp is 78. i also do water changes once every 2 weeks.

recently, he doesn't swim around anymore. he just lies on the bottom of the vase. he comes up to eat everyday, but he struggles to swim up and snatches some food, and sinks down below while he chews. then he swims back up.. snatches more and then sinks down again. he has a great appetite, but he has been acting this way for the last 3 months. is he just getting old?

how long do these guys live for anyway?

any feedback would be appreciated.
 
longlife

I agree though sorry to contradict the last post I'd put it at more like five years. Anabantids like bettas and gouramis are not relatively long llived. Try doing a WC every week he may hold on longer. His behaviour sounds more like age than illness. Raising the temp. a bit, say 80-82 may also make him more active.
 
I would sya the average lifespan for experienced fish keepers is probably 4-5 years but on whole, unfortunatley the "avergae" life span is probably way lower due to those stupid little cups.

Anyway little rant over, sounds like you have taken good care of this guy for the past few years. Once my bettas have gone to the stage yours is at it seems the start to loose the will to live. Mine would lie on the bottom, then dash to eat and sink back down. Eventually the will to eat even stopped. This seemed to take a few months. I would suggest doing some water changes, continue feeding but if it gets to the point where he stops eating for a few days then I would think about putting him down. There are lots of good threads in the forum started on how to do this with "hopefully" minimal impact on the fish.
 
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