Is my betta showing signs of depression?

[florine]

Water changes are crucial now, not tomorrow. Your betta's popeye indicates an infection in his sinus, which needs immediate attention. I hope you've been doing regular 25-30% water changes weekly - this is far more important than testing the water. In a 5-gallon tank like yours, pollutants can build up quickly, and popeye is often a sign of a dirty water-related problem.

I've been doing water changes every other week, that's what I was told was necessary. I'm happy to switch to weekly if that's what's needed. If it's not something I can test for, what pollutants are usually the cause of popeye? I did do a water change yesterday, so that's taken care of. However, I'm still unsure about the treatment - a water change is a good start, but what else should I be doing to help my betta?

[graye]

Living in an area where access to antibiotics and effective fish medications is limited has made me more proactive in maintaining a healthy environment for my fish. Since switching to weekly partial water changes, I've been fortunate enough to avoid dealing with popeye for many years.

Given the urgency of the situation, I would recommend researching the use of salt as soon as possible, as infections don't wait. While I'm not entirely convinced of salt's effectiveness in treating internal infections, its potential to help with fluid buildup in the sinus is worth exploring. Epsom salt baths, in particular, may help the fish expel excess fluid.

In my experience, salt often serves as a skin irritant, prompting the fish to produce more slime coat, which can help combat skin parasites. However, its effectiveness in treating internal infections, such as those in the head, is less clear.

It's essential to remember that test kits, while useful, only provide a limited view of the nitrogen cycle. They're primarily designed to detect ammonia, a critical parameter, but they don't account for other chemical processes or solid waste that hasn't been broken down. In a 5-gallon tank like yours, pollutants can accumulate quickly, making regular water changes crucial.

[florine]

Water changes are crucial now, not tomorrow. Your betta's popeye indicates an infection in his sinus, which needs immediate attention. I hope you've been doing regular 25-30% water changes weekly - this is far more important than testing the water. In a 5-gallon tank like yours, pollutants can build up quickly, and popeye is often a sign of a dirty water-related problem.

I've been keeping fish for almost two years and I've never had any issues with my fish before, I've got a 25gal and 5gal. But my 5gal is my newer tank I set up specifically for this betta. Obviously I wasn't doing the partial changes enough so I'll start weekly changes immediately.

I see what you mean about the salt baths, I'll still do it just in case though it won't do any harm.

That's all very helpful information thank you!

[sSjey]

Hi, I'm after some advice - my betta's been looking pretty down in the dumps lately. I've been slack with the water testing, to be honest, since I've never had issues with nitrates, nitrites or ammonia. But I just tested the water and I'm pretty sure the KH and GH are too high for him.

I was thinking of trying Indkento4 almond leaves - would they help lower these levels? Could this be what's making him so lethargic?

My tank's at 26c and it's 5.5gal, if that helps.

Water changes are more about removing the unseen waste, rather than what we can test for. Fish secrete hormones too, which play a role in chemical communication, and these can also accumulate in the water. If you're not doing enough partial changes, it's likely these will build up.