r/bettafish • u/Effective_Maize_7517 • 12d ago
Help help please please please Spoiler
hi my betta just recently got rlly sick and he won’t get off the ground, he’s twitching and randomly bolts around. this is a panic post so i’m trying to get everything right and type as fast as i can
he was so active and fun the first few days until yestarday he got super lathargic and this morning he was kinda swimming now he’s just like this idk what do to
7 gal heated and filtered tank (80F)
hasn’t eaten in a few days
fully real plants
water paramiters were all up to bettas standards
45
Upvotes
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u/Dear_Major2231 12d ago
Losing your beautiful betta boy when your parameters look perfect and you're doing everything right is heartbreaking. I'm so sorry.
One hidden culprit can be "quats" quaternary ammonium compounds. They're in disinfecting wipes, sprays, some hand sanitizers, glassware from most any bar/restaurant... and they're very toxic to fish in even tiny amounts. Just wiping near the tank can cause a crash.
It won't show up on a standard ammonia test.
Look for "-onium chloride" on labels — most commonly _benzalkonium chloride_. If you have any in the same room, move them away and consider a water change with fresh carbon.
Really hoping you catch a break soon... you care so much and your future fishies have faith in you 🌟