Betta Fish - Sick / Unhealthy Or just lazy?

[Saltypuppy]

I have had this same Betta fish for 2 and a half years now. When I got him he was small and didn't seem very energetic. To this day he is still small, and doesn't seem very energetic and he looks scrawny compared to other bettas I have had / have. I don't really think anything is wrong with him... but maybe there is. He looks underweight but bloated at the same time (Though not very bloated)

1~Crowntail Betta? Has been lazy since day one - swims around slowly, never flares, fins are never fully spread but are not clamped, looks scrawny
2~parameters (0ppm, 0ppm, 20ppm (my bad - has been cleaned since), temp 80 degrees,)
3~ Cycled Divided Ten Gallon Tank with two filters and a heater - it has been running for around three and a half years
4~ Whisper 10i filters X2
5~ I have two bettas in the tank, One Large Half Moon Male, and the crowntail male that I am making this thread for.
6~ I remove about 30% of the water biweekly (should be weekly - will be now that I have more time), I always gravel vac with every change. I also just changed my tank today (5/3/2013)
7~ I have had the fish for 2 and half years.
8~ I have not changed anything in the tank - but I did just get some Indian Almond Leaves to see if it helped him perk up at all.
9~ Omega Betta Pellets, Freeze Dried Blood Worms, Frozen Brine Shrimp (Newish - just tried)

Any Ideas? I can get a photo if needed. Also I can't tell much on coloration as he is a black Crowntail (All black) he doesn't look pale...

 

[Berylla]

Yes, photos will help alot. If he just started bloating up, you can try feeding him some de-skinned and crushed peas, or a little bit of frozen brine shrimp. The fibrous food will help dislodge the blockage from your fish. It's actually a good idea to feed them peas or brine shrimp once a week to keep everything moving along.

Other than that, it looks like you are doing well. Starting off with a good stock (in fish) is the key to fishkeeping success.

 

[Saltypuppy]

Yes, photos will help alot. If he just started bloating up, you can try feeding him some de-skinned and crushed peas, or a little bit of frozen brine shrimp. The fibrous food will help dislodge the blockage from your fish. It's actually a good idea to feed them peas or brine shrimp once a week to keep everything moving along.

Other than that, it looks like you are doing well. Starting off with a good stock (in fish) is the key to fishkeeping success.

Nah I think the bloating has been a gradual thing. Maybe I am just making him fat. Ha ha. Its not new, I just decided to dig into the issue now that I have had the time to do so! The mistake may have been buying a fish from Petco rather then a breeder or specialty shop.

 

[Berylla]

OK! Let us know if anything changes.

 

[Desi]

If you've had him that long, it really probably isn't a health problem (I could always be wrong). Maybe he just came into the world that way, and that's how he is. Haha, I don't know. But it doesn't sound like a big problem to me. Good luck with the little fella!

 

[Karmachica]

I only have one beta, but since u said u have 2 betas in the same tank, do they each have their own territories? Maybe he doesn't feel safe enough to be super active and doesn't fan out? I have a Beta Exercise Ball to put in the tank only for 1 or 2 minutes at a time but it gets his attention and makes him fan out and exercise his whole beta bod lol I've had mine for about a year and a half. I also got him a beta hammock and he loves it. Have u tried using the exercise ball or adding in coverage in the tank?