Fishstick

I just changed my fishes water. They are still in one gallon tanks so I change their water once a week with half water changes in between. Well I saved the little cup things that petco sells them in and i put the fish in their until I am done because I take them out for the full changes. Well I always let the cups float on top of the water for a while for the temps to get the same and not shock the fish than I put them back in their tanks. Well Fish Filet always swims around and explores his tank because I move the plants and things around. Now when I put him in his tank he started to swim sideways and upside down. His gills were going really fast and he just seemed weird in a bad way. So I caught him and put him back in his cup because I was worried that the water must have shocked him but he seemed okay in the cup (that was filled with the same water as in the tank). I up him back in the tank after a little while and the same strange off ballance swimming happned. Than he swam in his cave and wouldn't come out even when I came over to the tank and he never does that.

I am so scared. I didn't do anything different than I normally do....

Please help

MaddieLynn

Did you remember to dechlorinate the water? If so, I think it's shock from temperature changes. betta cups don't change water temperature well because the plastic is so thick.

Fishstick

Yes I put dechlorinate and I tested the water with my finger to make sure it was the same as the tank

Fishstick

I am so worried...I dont want anything bad to happen to him

So I just checked on him and he seems fine now. He is swimming around like normal and coming over to see me. I think the water temp did shocked him. I am so upset. I really want to take good care of this fish. I really didn't mean to hurt him

Beth1965

Poor Fishstick and for fishy. Im glad to hear that your fish is better now.
Beth

ara

Bettas don't like water changes. They are very sensitive. My Betta boy gets really upset when I do weekly water changes. I am glad Fish Filet is fine now.

Fishstick

I know me too! Bettas can be stressful lol

Elise,k

So what's the best thing to do with water changes then? I just did a change and now my boy is acting a little strange too. Floating near the surface and maybe swimming around, not very much though. Also not seeming to interested in his food, do you think the water change upset him?

Glad to hear your fish are doing better

Elise

ara

To Elise,k : When you do water changes you have to make sure the water temperature stays the same. For example: if you kept your Betta at 78F you can't put him in 70F water. ALWAYS use a good water conditioner. I think boys are more sensitive to water changes. When I do weekly water changes my girls don't react at all. But my boy Light hates water changes and always gets really upset. I have to calm him down with a couple of freeze dried worms.

COBettaCouple

I'd recommend doing changes of maybe 30-50% daily while they're in the 1g tanks rather than full changes. Then you can let them stay in the tanks and that's a lot less stressful for a betta.

Fishstick

thanks everyone for your advice on water changes!

pamd

It's not just temperature, but also water chemistry that could shock a fish.

I hope Fish Filet as well as your other betta, Murphy, are still doing fine.

In general, the smaller the tank, the less stable it is in temperature and water parameters. A one-gallon bowl needs many more frequent and smaller changes than a large tank.

I know you're doing the best you can for Fish Filet, and he is after all a cup betta. He very possibly could have been sick before you got him. I hope he is doing much better.

If at all possible, get bigger tanks for him and Murphy, at least 2.5 gallons for each. If you can't do that, at least don't put Fish Filet in a cup unless there is some emergency reason besides routine water changes. Just leave him in the bowl, clean out any debris with a turkey baster, and very gradually add the new water.

Fishstick

pamd- actually I am getting a ten gallon tank for them from a friend for free! Which I am going to divide. Which I am really happy about. I am just waiting to pick up the ten gallon tank from my friend, and get to work on setting it up. Fish Filet and Murphy are doing well Thanks for worrying about them. It is nice to find support on this site, especially why you are a newbie like me. Thank so much for your help!