Background: I have had a male betta fish (I don't remember what kind) for about 8 months in a 5 gallon, heated, tank with a couple ghost shrimp and 2 snails. He is usually pretty active and swims throughout the tank. I have struggled treating what appears to be an incredibly aggressive form of fin rot. Ever since I got him, his fins have been degrading. I have tried everything to stop this. I have sanded down all possible sharp edges of the ornaments, used small amounts of aquarium salt, have done salt dips, used Furan-2 in the tank, have done 100% water changes and extensively cleaned the tank...nothing ever fixed it. Having said all this, I am here for a different reason.
For the last week to week and a half, my betta fish has been acting very sickly and lethargic. He either lays around at the bottom of the tank or rests on the pump out-port near the top. I hardly see him swimming around anymore. I did a 50% water change last week and added some salt, but he continued to act the same way. Two days ago, I checked the water conditions and it was 0 ammo but .5 nitrite. I immedietly changed the water, and have not seen elevated readings since. Nevertheless, he is still acting the same.
I had a feeling that this might be swim bladder disorder, and fasted him for the past two days. Today I fed him part of a cooked pea, which he gobbled up, but continued to act lethargic on the bottom or top of the tank. Occasionally, I'll poke him to make sure he is alive, and he'll swim about for 30 or so seconds. Usually when he does swim around, he makes these very spastic movements, before going to the top or bottom of the tank again.
Do you think this is a bacterial infection? Or a parasite? Or just swim bladder disorder? I would appreciate all the help I can get! Thank you.
Attached is a picture of the main spot he likes to lay down at.
For the last week to week and a half, my betta fish has been acting very sickly and lethargic. He either lays around at the bottom of the tank or rests on the pump out-port near the top. I hardly see him swimming around anymore. I did a 50% water change last week and added some salt, but he continued to act the same way. Two days ago, I checked the water conditions and it was 0 ammo but .5 nitrite. I immedietly changed the water, and have not seen elevated readings since. Nevertheless, he is still acting the same.
I had a feeling that this might be swim bladder disorder, and fasted him for the past two days. Today I fed him part of a cooked pea, which he gobbled up, but continued to act lethargic on the bottom or top of the tank. Occasionally, I'll poke him to make sure he is alive, and he'll swim about for 30 or so seconds. Usually when he does swim around, he makes these very spastic movements, before going to the top or bottom of the tank again.
Do you think this is a bacterial infection? Or a parasite? Or just swim bladder disorder? I would appreciate all the help I can get! Thank you.
Attached is a picture of the main spot he likes to lay down at.
