Emergency Help! (Gasping Betta)

[Lexi_Lover]

And I don't think he will pass on Gina! Don't worry! Many bettas can live til' they are 3 or 4 if they are happy where they are! And I can tell Drapples is happy!

[sandragonfly]

yeah, lexi - I saw it, I lowered his water then. I'm sorry I don't understand your last question? if you mean this, he breaths to hard and slowly... thank you for thinking positive but, lexi & jesse, I don't think he's going to make it. anytime will come soon. he got whiter again, thinner and his chest's swollen now.

he wouldn't eat at all. (anything) - I don't want to see him suffering...what do I do now?

*taking a deep sigh..*

[Lexi_Lover]

Oh Gina! I'm sorry! Did you try the peas? As well, check his eyes for me, and tell me what they look like. Kara, where are you! Gina, would you like me to post this on a betta forum to get emergency responses?

[sandragonfly]

oh yes please paula! that would really, really help! flamepony sent me her fish forum and couldn't register in to ask for emergency responses (my pager doesn't accept javascripts) - could you do it for me please?

I just noticed his breathing, he's not breathing as hard as before. just swims frantically when I come closer to his home. checked his eyes also, looks all normal. no difference changes.

yes, I tried peas, he wouldn't even bother to try it. on more note, he doesn't look like a pinecone either. I think he's really starving!

thanks so much, paula!! I've been hoping for luvgold & bccrazy's help too!

[flamepony12]

Have you tried the peas? That should help if it is a stomach/swimbladder problem... The airstone should help too. Try lowering his water so he doesn't have to struggle up for breath. Good luck!

By the way, I'm sorry you couldn't register.

[sandragonfly]

yeah, two peas. they're still floating.. I just looked at him again, just doing the same thing. and is really shrinking. -- where are you, paula?!?

I would try the bubblestone but I'm afraid it'd add more stress on my drapples after all he was trying to work on his breathings.

flamepony, I will register once I get to a computer then I'll be able to make new thread/respond like here and thanks!!

[flamepony12]

You shelled the peas and cut them up into little, tiny pieces, right?

[Lexi_Lover]

I'm sorry I couldn't get here sooner Gina! I have posted it and many people are on now, so it shouldn't be too long! I have 2 windows up, checking frequently!

[sandragonfly]

yeah! it's too big for him lol. I put the second pea in this morning in case the last night pea doesn't taste freshy.

sorry lexi, didn't mean to push you, just was wondering where you went! just do what you can!

I understand all of betta mothers are busy!

come on, little fellow!!

[Lexi_Lover]

Here is what I received back so far...

Turn the lights off, make sure he's in the dark as this will reduce the stress.
I am PRESUMING he is at the right tempertature and in a tank by himself.
Are there any other signs of problems? Fungus, abnormal poo, etc?
I'll read the full story now!

[Lexi_Lover]

Heres some more info Gina...

Next, dangle a blood worm on his mouth using tweezers to see if he will take it. If that doesn't work try another type of food that he loves normally.
Think positive!!
EDIT: After reading the full story I would not recommend an air pump with a bubble stone as he doesn't need the air in his water, especially if he has recently had a water change as this will add more oxygen to the water anyway, the noise would cause more stress I think.

[Lexi_Lover]

Sarah, our Betta helper, has been doing great, she has updated me with another task...

Possibly another water change might be an idea so the water is as perfect as possible but this is risky as it will stress him out!

[Lexi_Lover]

MORE INFO! Hope its not overwelming! But these people(especially this one that keeps posting) are doing great!

Just read my own post on the other forum (which is very wierd) and I've just had a thought! I am now clutching at straws but as he is losing weight and not eating then maybe it is a problem with his resparatory system, he's not eating as all his energy is going on trying to get enough air. Now then....... what to do about this..... I'll see what I can come up with!

[sandragonfly]

oh paula, please tell everyone a big thank you and THANK YOU too!

no this is not overwhelming - yes, I took him into a smaller tank with shallow water and put him in closet where no cats/lights would bother him two nights ago. I'm glad I did that!

yes, respiratory is the problem! he wouldn't be able to do anything. I wish I'd know how all of this started.. no food for pretty long so we rule his poo out.

I know it's stressful for drapples changing his water a couple of times now because I had to. the water gets murky with microwhite flakes.. does that rings a bell? or I assume they were from the peas?

[Lexi_Lover]

All done Gina! Hope its helped! Hoping for a good update!