cognizant

I recently noticed that Hughie has been laying down a lot more than I remember. Should I be worried? Should I be looking for signs of anything? I have attached a photo of him laying down on top of his cave.

According to the test strip the nitrite is 0 and the nitrate is between 0 and 20. I dont have an ammonia test kit, but I do 50% water changes every day.

I bought him a year ago and I know betta's life span is usually 1.5-4 years... so it it possible my baby is just becoming an old man?

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Martinismommy

Has Hughie been in the same tank for the past year since you brought him home?

cognizant

No, I switched him over to the new tank a few weeks ago. Thought the 2.5 with the filter would be better than the 1 gallon thing he had been in.

cognizant

He just got up, spun in a little circle, and laid back down, this time facing the back of the tank instead of the front.

Shawnie

you really need an API liquid master test kit to test for everything...the test strips sometimes give false readings.....just to rule everything out..I hope your handsome boy gets well...and when you change the water are you using a dechlorinator? prime works awesome because if you do have ammonia and nitrites, it will neutralize it for the next 24 hours until your next water change...goodluck !

cognizant

I have something called AquaSafe...

Martinismommy

Yes, as Shawnie said I hope you are using a water conditioner.....If you are doing a 50% water change daily the ammonia should be fine...It's important to know the readings beacuse once you are cycled you don't want to be disrupting the water every day...

What is his daily diet?

cognizant

I use Aquasafe. It says it is a water conditioner that neutralizes chemicals.

I alternate his food between freezedried bloodworms and flakes.

Martinismommy

I would offer him tiny pieces of thawed shelled baby peas....Flake food can cause constipation.....Thaw them out take the peel off and cut them up into 1/4s....

cognizant

Thanks!

Lucy

I'm sorry you're betta isn't feeling well. I wonder if the current from the filter is too strong for him since he's used to being without one?
I don't know if it's adjustable (the 5g mini bow is). If it's not adjustable, try blocking the current with some plants or shove some extra filter media in the out take.

Parasites could be in issue too.

Good luck. I hope he gets to feeling better.

pamd

Is he eating normally? Does he list to one side when he's resting, or does he pretty much stay balanced? Does he look bloated? Look at him as closely as you can and make sure there are no spots or other abnormalities on his body and fins. Do his fins seem to be in good shape? Is he clamping his fins a lot?

I strongly agree with the others that you should get an API (Aquarium Pharmaceuticals) master test kit. If he's only been in his new home for a few weeks, chances are his tank is not cycled. That could be your problem, even though you are doing the daily water changes. Cycling a tank is very hard on a fish.

On the other hand, if it is cycled, like Karen said, you don't want to disrupt him with more water changes than necessary. An API test kit is the only way that I know of to really find out what's happening. Even taking water to your local store is generally not reliable, as most of them use the strips.

Meanwhile, try offering him a couple tiny bits of frozen pea that's been thawed.

Good luck. I'll be thinking of him and you, and hope he feels better soon.

cognizant

He doesn't look like he is leaning to one side, but I will keep watching and let you know if I notice it happening.

I will try and get one of those test kits tomorrow or thursday on my lunch break.

jdhef

That's exactly what I was thinking. The poor guy's just out of shape and tired.

cognizant

I went to two stores and neither had the API Master Test Kit. I did buy a heater for 2-5g aquariums and a thermometer. I will most likely order the Test Kit online.

I learned so much since I joined the forum. It's amazing all the things about betta's that people get wrong!

I put the thermometer on the outside of the tank and he swam to check out it! So happy he moved!

Lucy

I didn't relalize you didn't have a heater, what temp was the tank?

I'm glad you got him one.

cognizant

78F. I keep my room warm since I have a bad back and the cold makes it worse.

Should I put it in now or wait until morning?

Lucy

lol, ok. Our air conditioner is always on, I'm freezing, my husband is comfortable.
I have to keep my tank heaters going in the summer.

cognizant

I have been asked numerous times why I never had a heater in the tank and I just say it's because it would most likely never turn on. I may just keep this near the tank and put it in if for some strange reason the temperature goes too low.

I hurt my back riding my horse (when I still had her), she stopped, I didn't. Flew over her head, flipped in the air, landed on my back and dislocated my tailbone. Doctor said I can't ride anymore, so I gave her to my friend who bought a farm in PA. Ever since then I get excruciating pain in my lower back if the temperature goes below 75F.

Lucy

Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry!

cognizant

It was a long time ago, I'm pretty used to it now... not a big fan of the winter though...

cognizant

I ordered the test kit online. It should be arriving in a few days.

MinxMermaid

why are you doing 50% water changes every day? that can be very stressful if they're not needed.

cognizant

I moved him from a 1 gallon bowl to a 2.5 gallon tank 2 weeks ago. I didn't have a test kit so I didn't want to take a chance with the ammonia. I will be able to judge better once the test kit arrives.

cognizant

I ordered the test kit online and it should be arriving in a few days. I will continue doing 50% water changes until then. Once it is here and I test the water I will have a better idea of what is going on.

If anything is off I may be back to ask how to fix it. Other than laying down a lot he looks completely fine.

Lucy

Did you trying putting the filter on low or blocking the outtake with plants or extra filter media?

cognizant

The filter is as low as it goes and there is a plant right in front of the filter. I'm debating adding another plant since I don't have filter floss.

cognizant

I can't believe I was such an idiot!

The whisper 3i is an air powered filter. All I had to do was switch to a less powerful air pump. Man do I feel like an idiot!

jdhef

Or you probably could just put a one of those airflow valves in the line to cut back on the airflow.

Lucy

Has it helped him?