u/NotJoeRubbo

I’m looking for additional help with my betta, Bubba. He has become increasingly lethargic and his breathing now appears noticeably faster/heavier than normal.

Current symptoms:

• Very lethargic and spending a lot of time resting • Frequently stays at the surface with his nose/mouth near the air • Rapid/pronounced gill movement even while completely at rest • He will still swim when startled or encouraged to move, but he is much weaker/slower than normal • He recently let me almost pick him up, which is extremely abnormal behavior for him • He is still able to remain upright and maintain a normal horizontal orientation • Both gill covers appear to be moving; I haven’t noticed one side remaining stuck open • No obvious pineconing • No major abdominal swelling that I can see • Eyes appear clear • I don’t see obvious ich/white spots, fuzzy growth, or visible external parasites

Water parameters tested today with API Freshwater Master Test Kit:

• Ammonia: approximately 0–0.25 ppm, appearing very close to 0 • Nitrite: 0 ppm • Nitrate: approximately 0–5 ppm • pH: approximately 7.4–7.6 based on the high-range pH test • Temperature: 78°F

https://i.imgur.com/UtWGDUg.jpeg

I have added an air stone for additional oxygenation and am keeping the water calm enough that he doesn’t have to fight the current. Lights are being kept low/off to reduce stress. Tank has filter and heater.

I have several medications/treatments available, including methylene blue and Epsom salt, but I have deliberately not started throwing medications at him because I don’t want to stress an already weak fish or treat the wrong condition.

My biggest concern right now is his respiration. I have multiple videos showing persistent, fairly pronounced gill/operculum movement while he’s essentially stationary. Since ammonia and nitrite look good and additional aeration hasn’t resolved the behavior, I’m wondering whether this could be gill irritation/damage, gill flukes or another parasite, bacterial/gill disease, or some other systemic illness.

I can provide additional close-up photos/videos of his gills, breathing, swimming and body if needed.

For anyone experienced with sick bettas: based on these symptoms, what would you investigate or treat for next? I’m especially interested in whether his breathing/gill movement looks consistent with flukes or another gill problem, and I don’t want to medicate blindly.

Thanks for any help. I’m trying to give Bubba the best chance possible.

https://i.imgur.com/gZvIsS3.jpeg

https://i.imgur.com/TzxX3uS.jpeg

Videos:

https://imgur.com/a/VHF4w5Q

Got this little guy a week or so ago and he’s been hiding ever since. Today when I came out he flew up to the glass and let me directly feed him. He’s a fast little guy and seems to like his tank mates. Panda corys, shrimp and varying types of snails.

He lives in a heavily planted established tank and gets a rotation of different foods. I’ve caught him once eating with the corys and tried to get a pic but the phone scared him pretty bad and I didn’t see him for a few days. The name Shinobi is temporary until I figure out something that will align with his personality.

https://i.imgur.com/JkXRqH3.jpeg

Counting these 2 I am now up to 18. Does anyone sell birth control for corys? 😂

https://i.imgur.com/yJvhyi1.jpeg

I’ve only had Rocky for a couple weeks. He was a character. Fast as hell too. Would only eat live food and played well with all his tank mates. Corys, snails and may or may not of eaten a couple of his shrimp friends. Anyway, he somehow launched himself out of his tank through a small feeding window, approximately 2x3 inches. I keep the water a couple inches down from the lid and it’s heavily planted with most of the top covered in floaters. Still he managed to do it. Just a word of caution for everyone. No matter what bases you’ve covered there is always the chance this could happen. Going to 3D print a small door for the feeding window before my next betta.

https://i.imgur.com/0ct32Yd.jpeg

RIP Rocky!

Is this normal? Has anyone seen something like this? I’ve had these plugs for at least a year and got this notification today. Seems like something is out of the ordinary. In the meantime I’ve isolated it on the network.

https://i.imgur.com/LIlXG5w.jpeg