Is 3 years THAT old for a betta? Please help!

V

Vern's Mom

AC Members
May 11, 2006
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My betta, Vern, looks like he's on his last fins -- he can't seem to hold himself upright, and he won't eat. (This is the first day he hasn't attacked his food with a vengeance.) He's just lying on his side in the tank -- I thought he was dead, but he flipped over when I tried to touch him.

There don't seem to be any other symptoms -- is he sick? Or just really old? He's just about 3 years old -- I got him 3 years ago this February, and from the length of his fins at the time he was definitely an adult.

I don't know what I should do. :help:

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Tank info -- 1 gallon tank, under-gravel filter, holding one sick? old? tired? betta.
 
The bettas sold in shops are generally almost a year old when they are sold, so Vern is pushing 4, probably, which is not a bad run for a betta. I have a betta in my office that is almost 5, and I have heard others say they have hit about 7 years. But 3-4 with average care is probably more the norm. Maybe check your parameters and do a water change, or maybe offer a different food treat to see if it perk's Vern up. Good luck!




P.S. I have a special interest in your betta Vern....because my name is Vern!
 
I just hate to think that he's suffering -- he's lived a happy life, aside from a brief ugly incident when some kid dumped half a can of food into his tank and he nearly gorged himself to death. Mostly all he's doing now is just lying on his side, and occasionally flailing around for a second trying to right himself. He's got himself propped up against the wall of his tank now -- it just breaks my heart to see him like this, because he's always been such a little trooper. :sad:
 
Aw, I'm sorry he's acting poorly. It certainly sounds age related, 3 years is a good life for a betta. As someone else mentioned, try lowering the water so it's easier for him to reach the surface to breath. More frequent water changes might help as well (just be sure not to temperature shock him). I had a trooper of a fish who pulled through a couple of spells where I thought I'd lose him. If his color remains bright there is hope - fish can go weeks without food.
 
I am sorry he is not doing very well, although 3 is a good age for a betta.
 
sounds like old age to me. im sorry to hear that but you did a good job in keeping him. i only hope my bettas will last that long, if not longer.
 
I too have a betta that is about 3 years old and he lays on the bottom of the tank almost all the time. He knows when I turn out the light, its feeding time and that is really the only time he bothers to swim. He has been this way for some time now, so don't worry too much. He may be on his last fin, but I'm sure he's had a good life and just wants to rest a bit.
 
Thanks everyone, for all of your kind and helpful words. Vern died a week ago today, a little after 5 PM.

I miss the little guy SO much ...

Vern's Mom
 
I'm sorry to hear that....but you did a fine job of caring for him....take care.
 
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