Betta Problem

[Scott&Nikki]

Hey guys! Been a while....

Some of you might remember a couple months back I was on here asking for some help on a betta I was gonna get for my grandma. Well, everything was going well until a couple weeks back. If anyone can help with any of this, I would appreciate it.

First off, she changes the water weekly and treats it correctly, etc..

It started with the fish eating his food and then spitting it out and it would fall to the bottom. So I looked into that and saw sometimes they just do that when the pieces are too big. So she tried giving him the smaller ones and that seemed to do the trick. He used to always make the bubble nests, which I've heard is a good sign? But lately he hasn't, and now there is sort of like a film on the surface of the water. Anyone have any idea? Thanks

 

[techgirl]

It almost sounds like you have an old male. How active is he? Try feeding him some bloodworms or freeze dried shrimp. they love flightless fruit flies. See if that stimulates a feeding response and cut down on the spitting. Could always get the water tested. The longest I ever had a betta male was 2 years. Good luck. Let us know.

 

[Scott&Nikki]

Oh, that was the other thing I forgot to mention. He was very active until recently and now stays near the bottom most of the time. Should I get live bloodworms, or the freeze dried ones? The problem is, I doubt she would feel comfortable with the worms. Shes more into the furry animals if you know what I mean lol. She gets grossed out just hearing about mealworms I feed my leo...

 

[David Loftin]

What are the temperatures like? I have had some act like that when it has been to cold for them.. But as Jessica said.. It may be an old male. They act the same at time. The one way I got my Mom to feed her angelfish tubifex worms was to get a eye dropper. That way she never actually had to touch them.

 

[techgirl]

Live would be better, but it would be such a waste of food. they don't need much. If she's grossed out by the live stuff, she can try the stuff in the fridge section or even the freeze dried stuff. Good luck

 

[Scott&Nikki]

Alright, I will have to check with her on that. She does not use a heater, so the water is room temperature. How long do they usually live? I mean we bought it maybe 3 months ago?

 

[GECKOFREAK]

I know someone who bought their male betta about 7 years ago and it just died last week.....that is pretty rare but usually they live around 3-4 years. From what you are describing it sounds to me like he is too cold. See if she can move him to a warmer room maybe?

 

[Leopardbreeder]

You should invest in a water treatment kit. It sounds to me like to have some kind of chemical imbalance.

 

[TokayKeeper]

www.bettatalk.com

www.healthybetta.com

I found both the sites pretty simply, straight forward and informative.

.......my little frisky critter....

 

[Scott&Nikki]

Thanks everyone!