PrettyPink08

I have a Pink Male Betta That i got in may of 07

I recently moved him to a 10 gallon tank from a 3 gallon tank after noticing him not swimming around anymore and looking bored so i thought "ok, maybe he wants more room"

well he just sits @ the top of the tank and floats then swims to the other side and sits and floats

he very rarely swims around @ the bottom

My tank has a heater, a hood w/ two lights, 2 fish houses, 5 plants and a filter that come w/ my 10 gallon tank

i'm very worried about my bambam *his name*
even when i turn the filter off he still sit there
i thought the current could be too strong but idk!!

any suggestions?


This is my betta in about november of 07 in his 3 gallon tank when he was happy and active

PrettyPink08

could my poor bambam be on his death bed?
im so worried about him!

≈ D ≈

PrettyPink08

Cycle?
Like let everything set up? I let everything run for 48 hours
and i started off w/ distilled bottled water
but he did the same thing in his other tank before this one
just sits and floats!

≈ D ≈

Um, that didn't cycle it.

Basicly, bambam is stressed.

Fistly, you should read this

PrettyPink08

Dangit!!
Ok well he's already and his old aquarium is already gone
so now what?

PrettyPink08

I do have an ammonia test kit in a drawer i got awhile back
should i check the water?

PrettyPink08

ok the ammonia test is done
it is @ 0 ppm

valentine

go to the fish store/petstore tomorrow and get "cycle" it will help speed things up and if you know anyone with an aquarium diry filters from a cycled aquarium or dirty gravel can help you can put it in a nylon sock and hang it in the aquarium

stay up with water changes it's really important at this point

EDIT* i've used the cycle for a long time noe and never had a problem and the tanks fully cycled about 1-2 weeks faster than with out

Blub

capekate

I agree with Hatchethaven, that the cycle product does nothing good for your tank.
Your guy is in a new tank, and its possible that he is just acclimating to his new and larger surroundings. I have never cycled a tank before adding any of my Bettas and a few Ive had are just shy of a year and they are still doing great.
Betta's in my opinion are one of the few fish that can get away with starting a home in an uncycled tank, and I am sure there are a lot of folks out there who will disagree with that statement. But if my guys are any indication of success, I can say that the Betta is very hardy. The betta tanks are now all cycled from time and in the beginning I made sure that I did partial water changes and tested the water readings so that there never was any danger of problems for my guys.
Just make sure to do partial water changes and do add a water conditioner such as Prime with every water change. BAMBAM sounds like he has a wonderful home there and hoping that he does well soon.
~ kate

capekate

I forgot to ask.. how is he eating? does he swim right up for his meals and get active at that time? Could be he is just an older betta, now that you have had him for a year, and is not as active as a youngster.
One of my guys, Glory loves to just lounge around on his sword plant taking 'cat naps'... and watching the world around him from there. But he comes alive when its time to eat. My other guy Phoenix is about a year old ( march) and he also swims around... checking things out, then takes naps. My girls who are much younger love to swim all over the place and enjoy following each other behind the divider.
All bettas have their own personalities... some are more active than others, some are shy... some could care less.. just gimme the food, and others love to interact with us.
If your guy's coloring looks good.. no fin rot.. no breathing heavily ... and is eating.. your ammonia is at 0, Id say he is just getting used to his new digs!

~ kate

PrettyPink08

I live in a very small town so just running to the pet store involves a 2 1/2 hr one way drive!!
I've never cycled any of his other tanks because they were all so small I usually did a full water change, which i know is debatable so say full change is bad in small some say its ok, well he's still alive!

Bambam never runs to the top when i feed him and hasn't for months, if i watch him he wont do anything, but when he know i quit watching he will swim and be active and i hope eat
i was going to try getting him to eat a pea later because i read that is helpful sometimes?

Also I've seen a little food ring so the food stays in one spot, do those work/week the tank a little cleaner? I was thinking maybe if its always in the same spot he will get use to it?

PrettyPink08

I took 2 pictures
one of the tank
and one of him
the one of him in the tank is a little blurry sorry he's camera shy!


Also I read that putting something on the glass makes him see his reflection less
would dark fabric work? Because i cant get a aquarium thingy (sorry not sure what it is called) in my town!

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Barbrella

Don't use distilled water for water changes. It's totally lacking in the minerals, salts etc that fish need.

Use regular tap water of the correct temperature and add the Prime as capekate mentioned.

PrettyPink08

Should I do a 25% water change today?
I use Betta water conditioner and some Tettra brand safe water stuff

Also i was thinking about getting some ghost shrimp like 2? to go in the tank maybe that would keep him interested in moving around?

Richard

In addition to everything mentioned in the previous posts, don't forget the lifespan of a Betta is pretty short (2-3 years).. and the older they get is the less they seem to move around.

PrettyPink08

yup! sad but a fact of life
I did a 2 gallon water change
and i tried feeding him some blood worms
he's not interested
he doesnt even look @ them!