Fish Illnesses

[Tam-Jam]

How can I tell if my Japanese Fighting Fish is ill?

[football]

Have the fins been nipped by other fish, is it swimming OK? Has it got a black eye or lost the will to fight?

[sft42]

I assume you're talking about the Siamese Fighting fish (betta splendens) which is also commonly called a fighter.....Although the male fish of this variety do have stunning finnage and colourings the female is a much more drab and dull fish (how like humans as well eh ;>) and can appear like an ill male at first glance.

You should also be aware that these fish are, although undemanding in chemistry of water and diet, awkward to please and can sometimes find the hurly burly of community tank life a bit much especially with the more boisterous fish like tiger barbs and such like. In these circumstances they can become very shy and hide to prevent their fins getting nipped and damaged as despite their name they are very quiet fish and will only fight with other males of their species. Also for the latter reason you should only keep one male to each tank.

If your fish has other more specific symptoms please repost and I will try to assist further.

[Tam-Jam]

No - he's alone, but now he's just not very excited and he's over a year old. I hope that I'm submitting this part right! Thank you for your help, we're going to flush him with my son.

[Phantaxus]

it could be worth getting an antibactial product for fish from your local pet shop also try changing some of the water but let it stand for 24hrs first and never change more than 20% at any one time(I normally change a lot less than this) long finned fishes are particularly prone to fish fungus it looks like cotton wool type growths on the ends of the fins. A different type of treatment can be got from the pet shop for this.

[Jennyelf]

put a mirror up so he can see himself. If he prepares for battle,,I think he is ok.

[pda]

ask him for a scrap and see what he says?