I have a problem with my Betta. I visited my cousins for four days, and my dad aparrantly 'forgot' that I had a fish. Azul, the name of the blue male Betta, had not been fed once, his tank was hideous, the water was extremely cold, his tail fins and side fins seemed a little frayed, he was letting off slime, and to top it all off, I found two pink spots on him, which I think are missing scales.
I first noticed something was wrong when I ran into my bedroom to feed him. I always, always pick up the can of betta food pellets and shake it around. He then always darts around in his bowl at the top, looking for food. I always feed him 3 pellets in the morning and two at night, and he always eats them all quickly.
Today, when I shook the can, I got no response. I became worried automatically and gently poked the bowl to make sure he was alive. He began swimming, so I decided to throw in four pellets, since he hadn't eaten in a while. Once again, no response.
I read once that cold water could make bettas lethargic and sluggish, so I dipped my finger in and found it freezing. I warmed up the water a little by placing the bowl in some hot water and leaving it, getting it about lukewarm. I then changed the water and warmed it some more. As I was waiting for the water to warm, I took a look at him. I noticed that he was shooting off strands of white slime while he swam and saw a missing scale on his left (back) and on his right (side). His tail was also less flowing and looked as though it was cut shorter with scissors. (But of course, it wasn't.)
I'm worried sick. I've just put his clean bowl back up on the shelf. He is no longer being motionless, but he is still shooting off slime. What's wrong?
ANY help is appriciated. I'm not an experienced Betta owner, Azul being my first. I've had him since February '06.
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