Who Gives A Fish Forums

I've got a 10-gallon cycled tank, heated, with a HOB filter and seven species of live plants. My water parameters are spot on: pH 8, always steady, Ammonia 0 ppm, Nitrites 0 ppm, and Nitrates around 1 ppm (basically undetectable).

About a week ago, I thought my female betta, Cheesecake, was gaining some weight, but it's hard to tell since she's always been a bit on the heavier side. To be safe, I skipped feeding her for a day, then gave her a frozen pea (oops, forgot to boil it first), and skipped feeding her for three more days. After that, she seemed back to normal, and her energy levels were up, so I started feeding her again. This time, though, I made sure to soak her pellets in tank water to reduce the risk of bloat. I did this for three days, and she didn't gain any weight. Today would've been the fourth day, but I haven't fed her yet. Yesterday, she seemed fine, but when I came home from school today, I couldn't find her - she's usually active and swimming around. I finally found her sleeping under the heater, and when she came out to greet me, I was shocked to see how bloated she was. Her body was misaligned, and she had the start of pineconing on her belly and sides. I immediately did a water test, and everything looks normal.

I've had Cheesecake for over two years, and she's been a big girl since I got her from PetSmart. I'm guessing she's around 2.5 years old now. I know betta lifespans can vary from 2-5 years with proper care. What's been weird, though, is that over the past six months, her colors have faded, and she's not as energetic as she used to be. I checked her for any signs of illness when I first noticed these changes, and she seemed fine. But now I'm worried I might've missed something. I thought maybe she was just getting old, and I had another year or so with her. But this sudden case of Dropsy has me freaking out. I've never seen any signs of illness in her before this. Is there anything I can do? Anything I should've done differently? I'm really attached to this fish, and I'm devastated by this sudden turn of events.

I'm so sorry to hear about Cheesecake - losing a pet is never easy. Unfortunately, once a fish gets Dropsy, it's often a sign that their organs are shutting down, and recovery is unlikely.

It's not uncommon for the cause of a fish's decline to remain a mystery, and we're left attributing it to 'just one of those things.' If you're willing, posting photos of Cheesecake and her tank might help some of our members spot potential issues that could have contributed to her condition.

Bettas do thrive in certain environments - soft water, slow-moving water, and plenty of vegetation for hiding and resting. A high-protein diet rich in insects is also essential; BugBites or frozen/live mosquito larvae are great options. Of course, a clean, well-maintained tank with regular water changes is a must. If you've been providing all these things, then you've done an excellent job, and it's possible that nature has simply taken its course.

I'm so sorry to hear about Cheesecake's condition. It's completely understandable that you're questioning yourself and wondering if there's anything you could have done differently. Please don't be too hard on yourself - it's natural to feel that way when we're facing loss.

It's clear that you've given Cheesecake a wonderful life, and she's been incredibly fortunate to have you as her caregiver. You've provided her with a great environment, and you've been attentive to her needs. It's not uncommon for bettas to slow down as they age, and it sounds like you've been aware of the changes in her behavior and physical condition.

While it's true that mass-produced bettas may not be the healthiest stock, it's clear that you've done everything you can to give Cheesecake the best life possible. Even two years is a good lifespan for a pet store betta, sadly. Wild-type bettas may live longer, but they're not always available, and store-bought bettas often come with their own set of health issues.

Dropsy is a symptom of organ failure, and unfortunately, there's no way to reverse it. It's not something you could have prevented or caught earlier. As barnicle said, sometimes we just don't know what causes a fish to decline, and even a necropsy may not provide answers.

I want to encourage you to focus on keeping Cheesecake comfortable at this point. You can try lowering the water level to make it easier for her to swim and breathe, and offer her food if she's interested. However, it's possible that she may lose her appetite.

If you feel that Cheesecake is suffering, there is a humane way to euthanize her using clove oil. I know it's not something you want to think about, but it's better to have this information and be prepared. The method involves sedating the fish, then overdosing to stop the heart, allowing the fish to pass peacefully while asleep. I hope you don't need to use this method, but it's good to know it's available if you do.

Remember, you've done everything you can for Cheesecake, and you should be proud of the care you've provided. Please try not to blame yourself for what's happening - it's just the natural progression of life.