Hi All-

My Betta Larry is having some sort of problem. He acts weak and doesn't seem to have the energy to swim to the top of his aquarium. I have had him 2 1/2 years and am not feeding him or changing his water differently. He seems to tilt toward his tail when swimming and is VERY lethargic. He cannot swim on a normal plane. His color is good and he is still eating. I am sure he is dying. Any ideas?

Thank you,

Jeanne

i could be wrong but don't bettas only live for around 2 yrs???

that must be cuz of age i guess... maybe SBD causes those things too.. hopefully someone else can help

*i'll just bump it to the top*

Thanks hamstamann-

What is SBD?

Jeanne

that does sound like it might be his age... can you make him a little platform so he can get air when he wants it? I saw a tank with a series of different size glasses turned upside down so the betta could make its way to the top..

Hi sixlittlefish-

That is a really good idea! He is still hanging in there today. I will go up and make him a platform to make it easier for him. Thank you so much.

Jeanne

Jeanne, I'm still new to this stuff so I don't have any advice I just wanted to wish you and your fish well. I hope he gets better soon.

Laurie

Hi Laurie and everyone else that tried to help. Larry II my betta passed away Tuesday morning. Turned out it was simply old age. Thank you for all of the suggestions and talking to me.

I received Larry III in the mail today. I bought him from a US breeder here in the US. He is a beautiful blue and red crown tail. The breeder also sent me a free female. I had to scramble and buy a set up for her as I was not expecting her! I would post a picture, but I am still a fry and can't

I will send it to Koko and see if she will post it for me.

Jeanne

"Larry III" made me smile.
I'm sorry to hear about Larry II. I'm sure he lived a wonderful life!

Hi Heather-

He lived a great life and was quite a character. You'll love why my bettas are all Larry. The first Larry was not named for weeks. Finally my boyfriend said we should name him Lawrence for Lawrence Welk. I said WHAT???? WHY???? He said he is always making bubble nests and Lawrence Welk was always making bubbles! Thus he became Larry!

Jeanne

Hi Jeanne, sorry to hear about your Larry... you were asking about SBD, I believe that would be swim bladder disease? at least I think so..

Noticed in another post that you received a betta from Bettatalk.. I have been to that site many times and wondered how the bettas are shipped.. she has such beautiful bettas.. could you please tell me how she shipped them? and how was it when it arrived? thanks

Hi Sixlittlefish-

I actually bought this betta from The Betta Place on an aquabid.com auction.

http://hometownaol.com/DragonsCave14/index.html

My betta could have been sent express or priority. I chose express as it has been hot here. I received him the day after I ordered him. He was packed in a double platic bag with a lot of air in it and the bag was inside of a styrafoam insulated box. She also shipped a free female. The best looking I have seen. Both were very healthy. She was also very helpful when I had questions.

Best regards,

Jeanne

Larry III !!! That reminds me of the movie Volunteers with Tom Hanks and John Candy. Tom Hanks plays Lawrence Bourne the Third, and he always introduces himself like that. The character that John Candy plays always calls him Larry.

Too funny Page! I will remember that as an "alternate" explanation!

Jeanne

Jeanne,

I am so sorry to hear about your betta Larry II - it does sound as if it was his age. I am glad that you now have a new betta ( if im not mistaken this) lol.. BUT anyways, good luck with him.!!

Thanks Janelle-

Now I actually have 3 new ones! I bought the crown tail male and was shipped a free female with hi. I had to get a bigger split tank for the two and then my boyfriend brought me another one for the empty tank!

Jeanne

Hi,

Oh i love the crowntail bettas - they are so pretty, its nice of your bf to buy ya a new betta for your empty tank. I only have one little guy of my own well 2 total bettas in my house as of right now, (one is mine - and the others is my sisters)

But i would love to get more of them little guys sometime soon!! Good luck with all 3 of your bettas! Enjoy em