Crown Betta Problem

19 years ago

I have a 30 gal. community tank with a crown betta. Most of the other fish are various forms of tetras. About a month ago, the betta got pop-eye and it seemed to clear itself up over time. However, ever since then he just lays motionless on the bottom. I don't even see him come up to eat any more. For a while he would at least make an effort to do that. Every few hours I sometimes find him laying in a new spot so I know he occasionally moves. I did a water change today and it seems he has difficulty staying afloat. When poked or disturbed he will swim away, then abruptly sink to the bottom and just lay on his side. The temperature remains constant just below 80 degrees. He has a steady diet of tetra flake food and freeze dried bloodworms. Is he going to die? Can I transfer him to a hospital tank and medicate? Please advise.

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Comments (5)

jen789
19 years ago
Does he have internal parasites? I would treat him in a hospital tank with medication or something. Or maybe he's just old?
bettagurl
19 years ago
Your betta could be aging, but I think the tank is wearing him out. Bettas aren't bred to be in such deep water, and they are aggressive fish that don't do well in community settings. It might be best to set your betta up in a 1 gallon tank all to himself. Plus, I assume you have a filter in your tank. Bettas don't like water movement and the filter may have swished him around or gotten air bubbles in his gills. I've had it happen in my 10 gallons with my young betta fry and they died unfortunatly. I always use a 1 gal or smaller with a sponge filter if I use a filter at all for a betta. I've bred them for almost 9 years, so feel free to email me if you have any other questions.

Here is a link that might be useful: Bettagurl's Bubblenest
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petiolaris
19 years ago
Bettagurl: When I was a teen I used to have several fishtanks, mainly dedicated for propogating livebearers and bubblenestbuilders, including a pair of Bettas. I remember reading somewhere that at ~3 weeks of age the labyrinth breathing apparatus begins developing and that was when many of the fry die. There was also something about being susceptible to drafts and needing to be covered. Does that ring true?
sherryazure
19 years ago
I agree with Bettagirl. For what ever reason every time I tried to introduce my bettas (doing really well alone in their own habitat, 5 gallons, small filter (those little types that use suckers to attach to the wall, moved up to reduce air flow, with valve) and wood with anubias plants so on) they got stressed and sick and had to go back to their own habitat.

I didn't realize the height was a consideration as from my betta books, those in the wild are found in a variety of environments, but then again they do not have the long finnage these have. Thanks Bettagirl for that input.

Tetras might be too stressful for him as well, they tend to overwhelm some fish during feeding time. I would agree with hospital tank, plants filter and perhaps some additional salt added over time. I have found bettas can tolerate higher doses when I treated for columinaris (highly resistant strain which meds did not work against). Best Sherry
bettagurl
19 years ago
Yes, petiolaris, that is true. But if you cover the tank and keep drafts away from the tank your babies do not have to die.