The Puffer Forum

Not that he's terribly young. He's about a year or two old. But after I did his water change today he started thrashing around, and he bloated. He can't stay down in the water, he keeps floating up. I've had bettas do this before and they died. I think it's got something to do with their swim bladder. What causes this, and can I help him?

Did you use the same temp water? Dechlorinator? How large is his tank? Bettas only live around 3 years, I believe.

I used decloraminator, and the water was similar in temp, but I'm not sure if it was exact. It's just a bowl, a little less that a gallon.

I would think that it's just old age, but the thrashing started emmediately after the water change. He's still doing it, and not looking so good. If he doesn't turn around, I'm pretty sure he'll be dead tomorrow.

You might want to consider a larger bowl (at least 2 gal) or even a small tank with a heater/filter, for your next betta. Ammonia & other toxins can build up in a small bowl, lowering pH (acid pH). If too much fresh water (neutral pH) is changed, the fish will go into shock.