He seems sluggish today and I'm worried he's on his last leg (or fin in this case). He's such a fun and nice Betta and I'm sad to think he may not be around for much longer.

I am so sorry...I wish I could help more. It is sad and I will keep you all in my thoughts but I really do not know what else would help him. I do not think if he is active yet that he is suffering but he cannot keep going this way.

Rose

I'm sorry I know what it feels like to lose a betta fish

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Betta fish are like cookies you just can't have one!LOL

Well, he's a little more active this evening. I left the lights off for him most of the afternoon and he's going potty a little, swimming around, doing a smidgen of patrolling and actively trying to steal food. I'm not optimistic, not even cautiously optimistic, because then it will just hit me harder if I start thinking he's going to make it and he doesn't. We'll just take it one day at a time - or hour by hour. Thank you all for the support, it's very much appreciated.

How is he doing today?

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Betta fish are like cookies you just can't have one!LOL

About the same. I just checked on him and he was showing off to Comma, the Bamboo Shrimp, and going potty at the same time. No one can say Fred is not talented

Hahahahaha!! That's good!

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Betta fish are like cookies you just can't have one!LOL

He is a marvel for sure. I am so surprised that he is doing so well. The only answer I have gotten so far is that the probability of the internal parasites is not likely it is probably an obstruction or swim bladder in a high degree but everyone I have asked has said they have not seen anything like it before.

Give Fred our best and I am totally amazed by him and his resilience.

Rose

He's still being Fred. Always on the lookout for food. I'm leaving the bubbles off most of the time because having current does make it harder for him to maneuver. Otherwise it's business as usual. He's getting no better and no worse. I'm feeding him a small amount of regular Betta food daily and he's not getting rounder so it must be going through. Mostly I started him on it again because I figured if he was going to die anyway, I might as well let him have the food he prefers - but in small amounts so it wouldn't make him miserable. He's holding his own for now. Everytime I check on him, I expect to see him floating dead or near death but he seems to be the same most of the time. Sometimes perkier than others, but that's how it was before too depending on the time of day and his mood. I'm glad to know him, I rarely meet anyone whose stubborness rivals my own LOL!

Lol

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Betta fish are like cookies you just can't have one!LOL

It sounds like he is an example for all of us. Continuing on in adversity. I do admire nature's creatures sometimes. Thank you for keeping us informed.

Rose

I hope he gets better!!

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Betta fish are like cookies you just can't have one!LOL

Well, he's been really sluggish since yesterday and has barely moved. I'm really worried :(

I am so sorry I do wish there were more I could do for him. He is a great little guy and I feel we are sitting in a deathwatch for him and that is not true. It is hard to lose a fish that you love and we all know it. I feel Fred has been a courageous and great little guy and I do feel that you have done all you can to keep him comfortable and happy. You have gone to all lengths to help him and so if he goes, please do not feel that you could have done more. He was given a good home and love and that is a lot for a betta. I am sure that he feels loved as he has fought to stay with you. Be content that when he does go that you did the best that you could for him and he had a better life by far than he would have had in that cup at the store and lived far longer.

My thoughts are with you and I will think of Fred often today. Please do keep us updated.

Rose

Well, I just put him to sleep. It was so hard but he was getting worse and worse and was just bopping around the surface looking miserable and growing bigger and bigger. I keep thinking I could have done more but at some point I just had to say enough because I was keeping him alive for me at the expense of him. I never thought I'd be sobbing over a fish, but yet here I am crying like a baby. I hope he's already patrolling and doing his Betta dance in fishy heaven.

I am so sorry, and I do hope that you will be okay. It is strange as I never actually was there with Fred but I miss him too. We do invest a part of ourselves with the bettas and he was so valiant and brave carrying on and going on with his life through the adversity that life chose to send him, and yet not showing much change in his bettaness. I do sympathize, as I am sure do any of the owners who have lost bettas. I also recognize how hard this was for you, as I have had to do this in the interest of the fish that I have loved a couple of times and do know how hard it is to put their welfare ahead of my feelings. So I can feel for you. I am so sorry we were not able to help you get Fred better, that was not to be.

You were a wonderful betta parent and I hope that someday you will consider being one again. Thank you for being so kind and wonderful to Fred. I am sure that whereever he is at this time he is thanking you for it.

Please know that you are welcome here whether you have a betta or not and your thoughts and experiences are valuable to us. We would hate to lose you and while we can understand your grief now, please know you are always welcome.

Rose

I am sorry for your lose! I cried for hours after my betta fish Bubba died Fred is probally so very happy that you loved him enough to end his suffering! I hope your doing ok!


Kayla

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Betta fish are like cookies you just can't have one!LOL

Thank you for all your help and support. Fred got a burial worthy of a special guy like him, and I went straight to the store and got a new Betta. I know this may sound cruel like he meant nothing, but it was quite the contrary, as I just couldn't bear to look in the tank that I love so much because if the empty space this special guy left.
The store was all out of Bettas (it's a small store, not a chain store) except for one in the display tank and he was not for sale. The guy at the store apparently took pity on me though, and sold me the Betta, and didn't even charge extra for it being a display fish and all. I was very happy. Both to have a Betta but also because the new Betta was in a tank with other fish so I knew he would be fine in my tank also. I got him home and he settled in right away and has been absolutely perfect the whole time. I named him Red in memory of Fred (he's partially red but I would have named him Red no matter the color because it was so close to the name Fred). I didn't pick him for his looks at all, but he is actually quite handsome. I think his colors will pick up a bit more, like Fred's, if I make him happy enough and I can't wait to see him as he becomes more vibrant and shows his true colors.

I actually believe that the greatest compliment you can give to a departed betta is to buy a new one as it means that the one who is gone is truly missed and mourned enough that you want another to be there. Not to take its place so much as to help to fill the emptiness that they leave behind. It is not a slight to them at all but rather a tribute.

So do not feel that Fred is being slighted but rather that he meant enough to you that you did not want to do without the company of a betta. Red will occupy his own place in your heart of course but he will also help you to get over the absence of your friend, Fred.

Thank you for being such a great friend, Fred!

Rose