Hello everyone!
I have this Betta for about 4 months from my LFS.
In the last couple of weeks he started losing appetite ( he barely eats 1-2 flakes per day) and most of the time he rests on plants or on the bottom of the tank.
In the past he was eating anything he could get, and was always active. Same 30 liters tank ( approx 8 gallons), same water conditions. Weekly water changes, and the water test strips I'm using show the same results as always ( everything on green)
I don't know if he's sick or just getting old, maybe.
Also, I have no idea how old he is. Should I start looking for medication? Thanks
https://www.reddit.com/gallery/1pcgxqb
Posted by zuperbman
4 Comments
His tail looks LONG, so he may just be tired. However, clamped fins can indicate poor water quality. Do your test strips cover nitrates, nitrites, and ammonia? Did you do any large or unusual cleanings lately?
Also, flakes are typically not as good as pellets for bettas. What are the ingredients in the flakes? See if varying his diet gives him more energy.
I’m not an expert at all, I’m still very new at Betta’s (or rusty, i haven’t had one in years until recently). But he doesn’t look like he’s doing very hot, his fins look clamped and I don’t think his head is supposed to have that grey look around the top? What are the results of your tests and what is your water temp at?
Flakes was a huge red flag for me. He needs protein. Upgrade his food first. Get some nice pellets from your LFS as well as some frozen blood worms and brime shrimp. If he doesn’t perk up and go after that food, then you have a red flag and need to look into medication like Fritz Maracyn or Fritz ParaCleanse. Start with his food first. Give him some good food. Just like you, they need a balanced diet. It may be a little more expensive at first but it’ll last longer and he’ll actually eat it.
I don’t think it’s age related. His face looks rough. I can’t tell if it’s his slime coat pealing off or something fungal though