Hello! I would really appreciate any advice.
We were at Petco last night to buy some 2.5 gallon tanks that were on sale for 12 dollars (not for fish lol. Buying them for an aquascape portfolio for a business we are building)
I’ve been wanting to get a Betta Imbellis and wasn’t planning on getting another domesticated betta but this guy looked kinda messed up and I already have an under stocked, jungle style 13.5 gallon with tank mates that I wouldn’t trust an Imbellis with.
Anyways, I thought he had a spinal deforminity but I wanted some second opinions. He doesn’t swim well and his back half just falls down. He’ll also sit kinda standing upright sometimes. He spends most of his time sitting on the ground.
I ended up moving him to one of the 2.5 gallons so that I can add tannins, keep an eye on him and change the water more frequently. My 13.5 gallon has two filters so I moved the sponge filter in there with some tank water and some rocks. There’s a stick that’s angled outside of the water so he can sit on it to get air if he needs. I also turned the water up to 80 F.
I’m worried that it’s a permanent deformity and that he won’t have a good quality of life. On the other hand, it also looks like it could be a swim bladder issue. In that case, do you think that I’m doing enough to help him recover and grow into a normal shaped fish?
Any advice is much appreciated. Thanks!
https://v.redd.it/edlzbovqy6xg1
Posted by Constant_Apple_3275
3 Comments
Tank size: 2.5 gallon hospital tank, will go into a 13.5 gallon shallow as soon as he’s healthier.
Heater: yes
Temp: 80
Parameters: ph 7ish, ammonia 0, nitrite 0. API master kit
How long: tank was set up this morning with filter and water from established tank along with rocks and stick
Tank mates: no hospital tank mates, 13.5 has strawberry rasboras and shrimp
Decor: hospital tank has rocks for caves and hiding and stick for place to rest and get air along with an Anubis plant
I’m thinking swim bladder. Epsom salt is the first thing that comes to mind, but I’m not sure if babies/younger fish will be ok with it
I would actually just give him some time and see if it resolves. I had a *very* similar looking baby betta (that the guy at petco gave me for free since they thought he was actively dying) with a similar looking spinal issue. Some time, food, and clean water later and he’s actually fully normal now. It’s been roughly two months and he’s developing his colors well and no longer exhibiting any sign of spinal deformity. It took me three weeks in a non medicated but tannin filled tank due to how weak and emaciated he was. He couldn’t handle more than a few inches of water. I think it was just long term effects from the lack of food and terrible water conditions plus deconditioning from not swimming much. He’s now in his permanent home in a fully planted ten gallon and doing great. So, definitely do not give up on this guy. He’s been through a lot but they are amazing little fish and have a serious will to live. I’d just keep a really close eye on him.