12 Common Betta Fish Behaviors Before Death

Betta fish are beautiful fish to keep in an aquarium as a pet, with a vibrant appearance that adds to the beauty and appeal of the aquarium. They are, however, vulnerable to a variety of health issues. As a result, it’s our responsibility to look after them so that they can live a long and healthy life. A Betta’s longevity is determined by a variety of factors, including water quality and chemistry, food, disease susception, and tank mates. Bettas in captivity as pets usually have a two- to five-year lifespan.

Betta fish can die suddenly from any ailment, trauma, toxicity, or infection. As they age, they exhibit a variety of indications and symptoms that indicate that they may die shortly. 

In this article, we’ll talk about common betta fish behaviors before death and what to do should you notice them. The following are a few of the products mentioned throughout this article that will help you maintain a healthy environment for your betta and help your betta fight off sickness.

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Betta Fish Behaviors Before Death: 12 Signs to Watch For

Sometimes, your betta fish may be exhibiting the following behaviors due to illness, water quality, or lack of oxygen. Other times, it means it’s on the verge of death. Depending on your betta’s age, you may be able to nurse the fish back to health before it dies; however, in older betta fish this usually means they have reached the end of their life and will pass away soon.

1. Appetite loss

When a betta fish reaches the end of its life, it lacks interest in food. When you give a betta fish some of its favorite treats, it’ll show no interest in the meal. This is a concerning sign for the betta fish’s survival. If your betta fish is young and exhibiting appetite loss, you should have it examined by a veterinarian because it could be infected with a fatal disease. If your betta fish is older, however, not eating is an indication of slowed metabolic activities in the body. The body’s energy requirements decrease as the betta fish grows older.

Another reason for a betta’s appetite loss is that its sense of smell begins to decline with age. As a result, when a betta fish is near death, it stops eating and displays no fondness for its favorite foods. You must investigate and determine the cause of its appetite loss. It could be caused by an underlying ailment, stress, or poor water quality.

2. Weakness

A dying betta fish becomes extremely weak due to a loss of appetite for many days. At this point, the body’s metabolic mechanisms malfunction, resulting in a negative energy balance. Betta fish, according to specialists, begin devouring fats, known as triglycerdies, found in the body’s muscle organs to meet their energy needs. When triglycerides are used as a source of energy, it causes significant weakness. This is especially true of betta fish when they get older. Weakness and lethargy in an old betta fish is a common sign that it has reached the end of its life.

Here’s a personal example: my betta fish was four years and seven months old at the time when it stopped devouring food the same way it used to when it was younger. With the passing of the days and weeks, things began to get worse. It was quite feeble by the time it reached four years and eleven months and finally died due to metabolic dysfunction and the shut down of life-sustaining systems in its body. I’m confident it was disease-free, and the water conditions were well monitored; however, at 4 years and 11 months, my betta lived a full, healthy life and its lack of appetite was a sign that it had reached the end of its life. 

3. Problems breathing

Betta fish have difficulty breathing when they are sick, old, or when the water quality is poor. The ability of a betta fish’s labyrinth (the organ which acts as its lung) to obtain a large volume of oxygen reduces as it ages. As a result, it begins to breathe rapidly. This rapid breathing is a symptom that a betta fish is dying if it is old. If it’s young, however, frequent breathing is related to disease or poor water quality. So, you should check the water parameters and seek medical advice from a veterinarian to treat the problem for a younger fish.

4. Lethargy

Lethargy is a common behavior in older betta fish. If your betta fish isn’t responding to environmental stimuli and is constantly resting, it’s a sign that it’s dying. Betta fish are usually energetic and responsive pets, which usually respond to noise or when you approach the tank as environmental stimuli. If your betta fish is exhibiting lethargy, it could be due to stress or poor water quality. As a result, change the water on a frequent basis to maintain water quality and nurse your betta back to health. 

5. Physical appearance and color fading

When Betta fish are healthy, they are more active and their color is brighter. Abnormal changes in the look of betta fish, such as white patches on the body can be caused by aging, stress, and illness. Betta fish have a brighter color, but their skin color decreases as they age. Their skin becomes transparent, and their internal organs may be seen. Genetic mutations can cause white spots and stripes and poor water quality and stress can cause color fading in young fish. If you notice a change in your betta’s appearance or its color fading, you should know that it may be on the verge of death. Examine the fish and water parameters to figure out what’s causing the color change first to determine your next course of action.

6. Depression and stress

Poor water quality contributes to stress and depression. Bad water parameters cause severe stress and despair in older bettas, which can lead to death due to a loss of senses. Stress is caused by an increase in nitrates and ammonia levels, which damages the neural system of betta fish. As a result, they lose their sense of hearing and smell, appearing non-responsive. For betta fish, stress is the root of their health problems because it impairs their immune systems, making them vulnerable to a variety of illnesses. Therefore, be sure to monitor your betta tank’s water quality, and keep ammonia and nitrate levels at zero.

7. Gulping air at the surface

Betta fish have gills that allow them to breathe and absorb oxygen from the water. Betta fish begin gasping for air at the water’s surface for one of two reasons: insufficient oxygen in the water or impaired gills. When their gills don’t absorb enough oxygen, old betta fish gasp for air. Your betta fish struggling for oxygen at an older age is a warning that it’s about to die. If it’s gasping for air at a young age, however, you need to check the water quality and change it to maintain the oxygen level.

8. Changes in behavior

When Betta fish are healthy, they do everything in a regular and graceful manner. When they get older, however, you’ll notice inconsistencies in their behavior. When compared to juvenile betta fish, the swimming pattern of older betta fish is radically different. Due to the damage to its organ systems, dying betta fish experience a great deal of pain. It’s our responsibility as pet parents to recognize aberrant behavioral changes and see a veterinarian to address the underlying problem.

9. Eye swelling

Betta fish are prone to skin infections and inflammation, which can sometimes contribute to eye problems. When a betta fish’s eye swells, it’s due to a serious bacterial or viral infection. because the betta fish has a monocular vision (its eyes are opposite each other). It’ll be tough to tell if the outer layer of its eyes is swollen, but will be seen if you examine it closely. The swelling in the eyes is an indication of a serious bacterial or viral infection that has been going on for a long time. Betta fish have a hard time recovering from such an illness and are on the verge of dying.

10. Hiding and living alone

When a betta fish gets old in the wild, it hides beneath rocks, stones, and plants. They have the same behavior in the aquarium as they have in the wild, preferring to hide under plants and avoiding interacting with tank mates. When you witness this behavior in your betta fish at an older age, it implies it has lived its life and is about to pass away.

11. Dropsy

Dropsy is defined as an accumulation of fluid in the bodily cavities, tissues, and interstitial spaces. Dropsy is a multifactorial symptom in betta fish that might signal bacterial or parasite infections. Hepatic impairment might also cause dropsy. Dropsy in older bettas suggests kidney and immune system failure. As a result, any change in the water’s conditions or hygiene can cause betta fish to die. It’s critical to contact a veterinarian as soon as you observe any signs of dropsy.

12. Fish Tuberculosis

Fish tuberculosis, sometimes known as fish TB, is caused by the mycobacterium. Healthy betta fishes are not susceptible to Fish TB. A betta fish with a suppressed immune system, on the other hand, is vulnerable to fish TB. Mycobacterium is always present in aquariums and infects old or weak betta fish. The bacterium is protected from being killed by its outer coverings. It’s nearly impossible for an old betta fish to recover from fish TB. Fish TB is infectious as well as zoonotic, which means it can be transmitted to other fish and to humans. As a result, you must separate the diseased bettas and wash your hands well after handling them.

Why is my betta fish dying?

The mortality of betta fish can be caused by a number of dangerous circumstances. If not treated promptly, bacteria, fungal, viral, and parasite illnesses can kill betta fish