My Betta fish isn't eating. What's wrong and how can I help?

The ideal water temperature for bettas is between 78 F and 80 F. Check water quality and perform a partial water change if necessary. Used aged or conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent shock or stress. If he won't eat pellets, try soaking them in a bit of garlic juice. This can serve as an appetite stimulant as well as an immune system booster. You can also offer freeze dried (or live) bloodworms, brine shrimp or tubifex worms. The "wiggling" when he swims may be normal for him but check his fins for signs of fin rot which can make swimming more difficult.

Check the water chemistry and water temperature. Aim for 0 ppm ammonia and nitrites with nitrates 30 ppm or below. Water temp should be between 78 F and 80 F. Add only plain aquarium salt (NOT table or Epsom salt). Add no more than 1 teaspoon per gallon and treat for 10-14 days. Lower the water level by half to make it easier for her to reach the surface. Bettas can breathe room air if necessary. Soak pellets in some garlic juice to stimulate her appetite.

Check the water quality. This can be done with a home test kit or you can submit a water sample for testing. Most pet stores or aquarists will do this for free or for a nominal fee. Correct any imbalances as indicated. Check the water temp as well. Aim for 78 F to 80 F. Use a tank heater to prevent temps below 74 F. Offer a good quality pellet such as Hikari BioGold. You can also feed blackworms or bloodworms. Live worms may get him eating. Freeze dried tubifex worms may also stimulate his appetite. If there are no outward signs of bacterial or fungal infection, consider parasites. You can use metronidazole for fish. It is sold in most pet stores in the aquarium section. Follow label directions and gauge his response after treatment. The raised scales are a concern because that can be a symptom of dropsy. Dropsy is common in bettas and usually fatal. It is typically accompanied by a swollen abdomen though. Fish tuberculosis is another serious concern. This is a slow, progressive illness that can kill fish and ruin tanks/bowls. Start with the basics as listed above. Try water changes with conditioned water and offer different foods to get Thorin eating. You can request a consultation to discuss his condition in greater detail and for additional resources.

Cold water can affect activity in fish. Bettas are tropical fish and do best between 78 F and 80 F. Check the water chemistry also. You can use a home test kit, such as the API Master Kit, or submit a water sample for testing. The local Petco may do this for free or for a small fee. Aim for an absence (0 ppm) of ammonia and nitrites with nitrates at 20ppm or less. Perform a partial water change if necessary to stabilize chemistry and/or to improve water quality. Use only conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent stress or shock. Diet can influence color, so it is possible this is partly to blame for the color change. There are diets that can be fed to enhance colors.

Check water chemistry, quality and temperature. Use a home test kit or submit a water sample for testing to confirm an absence (0ppm) of ammonia and nitrites with a nitrate level of 20ppm or less. High ammonia levels may cause "burns" which may present as black spots on the scales. Most pet stores will test water for free or for a small fee. Perform a partial water change, no more than 30 percent of the total volume, to stabilize chemistry and maintain or improve water quality. Use only aged or conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent further stress or shock. Check the water temperature as well. Bettas are tropical fish and do best between 78F and 80F. Low temps can affect digestion in fish causing constipation. Maintain water at 80F and fast for 3 days. Resume feed tiny bits of cooked and shelled green peas. Feed peas until defecation and swimming are normal. Feed a quality pelleted diet and fast him one day a week to promote regularity.

Check water chemistry first. Use a home test kit or submit a water sample for testing. Aim for an absence (0 ppm) of ammonia and nitrites with nitrates at 20 ppm or less. Perform a partial water change to stabilize water chemistry and/or to improve water quality. Use only conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent further stress or shock. Bettas do best between 78 F and 80 F. By your description, the issue may be swim bladder disease. This can be caused by infection (bacterial or parasites) or constipation. Maintain water quality as described above. Fast the fish for 3 days then resume feeding bits of cooked and shelled green peas. This will help with constipation. If this doesn't help. you can get a broad spectrum antibiotic from the local pet store. Look in the aquarium section. Follow label directions carefully and remove the carbon filter insert during treatment.

He may be dealing with some swim bladder issues. The swim bladder is what keeps a fish upright and controls buoyancy. Infection, poor water quality or constipation can affect the swim bladder. Perform a water change. Use aged or conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent further stress or shock. My choice for conditioners are AmQuel and NovAqua. You can purchase them in most pet stores or fish stores. Bettas are warm water fish and do best between 78 F and 80 F. Anything below 75 F will be stressful. A small tank heater may be necessary to maintain proper temperature. Dissolve 1 teaspoon of plain aquarium salt (NOT table salt) per gallon of water in a cup of tank water and gently pour it in. This will act as a general tonic reducing stress, improving gill function and treating minor infection. Change the water daily to maintain quality and dissolve just enough salt to treat the water being replaced. Fast him for 3 days, then offer small bits of cooked, shelled green peas until defecation and swimming are normal. You can soak the bits in some garlic juice to stimulate his appetite and boost the immune system. Transition to a quality pelleted diet and fast for one day each week to maintain GI health.