Sick Betta

[baflstang]

Discolored, seems pale and sluggish. Loss of appetite. What is wrong and is there treatment? Thank you Tank is a 3 gallon bowl with 2 gallons water. No filter. A gift to my daughter. New to betta's. Betta stays at bottom this AM. Betta has been in tand 1 year and water is periodically changed with distilled.
[ July 28, 2001: Message edited by: baflstang ]
[ July 28, 2001: Message edited by: baflstang ]

 

[beth]

You need to give us a bit more info. Like what type of tank you have, how long have you had it setup, water readings, how long have you had the fish, when did the problem start, any other fish in the tank and what kind, size of tank, filtration, etc.?

 

[jimi]

I think you are speaking of a freshwater betta seeing as how you said it is in a bowl. This is a saltwater site, sorry. Ther are frewshwater sites out there just do a search on lycos or yahoo.

 

[beth]

LOL! You're right jimi!
I've kept fresh water bettas. Due to the fact that they are "air-breathing" fish and have an elaborate labyrinth breathing organ, they can be susceptible to respiratory problems and infections in this organ. Their bowl should be changed out weekly with fresh distilled water. Its not unusual for a betta to hang around on the bottom of a bowl, especially if you haven't provided it with anywhere else to hang out.
You might try supplying it with some fake plants or better, real plants. These fish come from Thailand and their natural environment is warm, steamy, stagnate waters.
If the water in that bowl is anything under 80 degrees, then the betta will not be happy and will frequently stagnate and act lethargic Raise the temp to 80 degrees and keep it there.
Hope this helps you out!