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Fred
Nov 14, 2008 15:04:15 GMT -5
Post by sammiesam on Nov 14, 2008 15:04:15 GMT -5
Hey Guys, So I'm just not really sure what to do about this, I don't know if there is anything to do for this, I think it's just an old age thing.
Fred, my first ever fish (betta) is going on 2 1/2 years oldand he's doing really well but he's have problems swimming.
The other thing is this tumor/growth on his face it's been starting since the summer and its getting bigger but it doesn't seem to bother him what so ever.
The other problem are his fins. They look like they are getting stiff, and that's why he's having problems swimming. He's always had really bad fins since they day I got him and they haven't really healed themselves. But either way, he like panics, when he tries to swim and ends up freaking out and hiding cause it's like he just can't do it. I have a floating/hanging plant on the side of the tank at the top of the water that he sits in, and he just sits in it, and will only eat if i can get the food right too him most of the time. Sometimes he gets excited like usual and tries to swim over but then panics again and dives back into his plant.
Is there anything I can do for this?
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Fred
Nov 14, 2008 15:49:17 GMT -5
Post by Suzie Q (Lori) on Nov 14, 2008 15:49:17 GMT -5
I would lower the water level for him so he does not have to work so hard at swimming. See if he improves.
Swim bladder and stiff fins are all signs of old age. Also..just like people..they start having trouble seeing. I'd continue to drop the food right in front of his face.
You are doing a great job so far with him.
I'd guess he is pushing 3 to 3 1/2 yrs now if you have had him 2 1/2 yrs.
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Fred
Nov 14, 2008 18:30:01 GMT -5
Post by sammiesam on Nov 14, 2008 18:30:01 GMT -5
yeah he's an old man he's doing okay I was just wondering if there was anything I could do about it.
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Fred
Nov 14, 2008 18:47:46 GMT -5
Post by goldenpuon on Nov 14, 2008 18:47:46 GMT -5
Well, my best suggestions are to keep his life as stress free as possible and give him the best food and environment possible for the rest of his life. Also, I'm not what size tank he's in but if it's a bigger one (say if you gave him a 5 gallon all to himself), that might help increase his lifespan by a bit. Also, if he's having swimming problems, consider keeping his tank/bowl only partially filled. that way, he can swim and acces the top for air easier. Hope that helps.
I hope Fred lives a long time to come. Who knows, he may live 5 years, though kind of rare, some bettas do live that long or even longer with excellent care.
Hope that helps!
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Fred
Nov 14, 2008 18:59:30 GMT -5
Post by Carl on Nov 14, 2008 18:59:30 GMT -5
You already got some good points so I will not repeat them, and just add that to continue to do the best you can in keeping up with electrolytes, as low of nitrates as possible and all other water parameters in check. Also gut loading live foods is a REAL benefit (Spirulina is my first choice), I have had client Bettas live close to 4 years(these clients often had larger tanks that I maintained along with a small betta tank/bowl on their desk). And/or FD or other foods can be soaked in vitamins (as Bill has suggested, human vitamins can be used for this for less cost). Carl
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