Betta fish not eating for 10 days after being transferred to bigger tank!

Tank
What is the water volume of the tank? 5 gal
How long has the tank been running? Set tank 10 days ago but changed filters a couple days in; new filter has been running for 4-5 days
Does it have a filter? Yes
Does it have a heater? Yes
What is the water temperature? About 78 F
What is the entire stocking of this tank? (Please list all fish and inverts.) Female betta + Nerite snail

Maintenance
How often do you change the water? I changed it twice in the 10 day period. I plan I changing it more often now
How much of the water do you change? 30-40%, maybe
What do you use to treat your water? API Betta Water Conditioner + API Stress Coat, sometimes a little AQ salt, and Bacteria Supplement
Do you vacuum the substrate or just the water? Both

*Parameters - Very Important
Did you cycle your tank before adding fish? No... I let the new tank sit for a few days before adding her.
What do you use to test the water? API Test Strips: 5-in-1 and Ammonia
What are your parameters? We need to know the exact numbers, not just “fine” or “safe”.
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0
pH: 8.0

Feeding
How often do you feed your fish? Daily, before I put her in this new tank (fasting once a week, too)
How much do you feed your fish? 3-6 pellets
What brand of food do you feed your fish? Aqueon
Do you feed frozen? Rarely, as a treat
Do you feed freeze-dried foods? No

Illness & Symptoms
How long have you had this fish? 2 years!!
How long ago did you first notice these symptoms? About a week ago
In a few words, can you explain the symptoms? Stays pretty still, won't eat or swim to tank when I come (unusual)
Have you started any treatment for the illness? No
Was your fish physically ill or injured upon purchase? No
How has its behavior and appearance changed, if at all? She barely swims around, stays at top or bottom all day, gets scared and swims away often (unusual), is slightly discolored, and won't eat anything

Explain your emergency situation in detail.
(Please give a clear explanation of what is going on, include details from the beginning of the illness leading up to now)

My female betta is named Melita. I have owned her for 2 years. She was in a 2 gallon tank up until 10 days ago. I bought a 5 gallon tank and cleaned and set it up. I don't think I fully cycled it before adding her--I was not aware I needed to do that, or maybe just didn't understand, even after searching the web so much for info about transferring a fish. The tank sat for about 3 days before I added her. The first filter I had was WAY too powerful and the current pushed her around. The first couple days she was in there, I thought she liked the current because she would intentionally swim to/through it. I realized it was way too powerful, though, and removed it. The temp dropped a bit during those first couple days, too. That's when she first started acting unusual. She wouldn't move much at all and didn't acknowledge me when I got close to the tank (she used to always swim to the side of the tank when I turned the light on or came to feed her). I thought it was bc of the temp drop, so I made the tank warmer and moved it to a diff place. The water was very murky because I had 3 pieces of driftwood WHICH I have now removed bc they were leaking so much color into the water--they weren't clean. She either spends most of the day floating at the top of the water or sitting at the bottom doing nothing. She won't eat anything and gets spooked when I get close to her. We also just added a nerite snail to the tank a couple days ago (they barely interact, so they seem to be doing fine).

She seems very fatigued, has light "stress stripes" in her color, and hasn't eaten for 10 days. We're coming up on the 2 week mark, and I'm very stressed...I think I didn't properly cycle the tank--but NOW what do I do? I read the article on this website about "cycling your tank with a fish," but it doesn't tell me much of water to do, other than things I'm kind of already doing. How can I get her to eat? Should I do a quarantine tank? Will that be TOO much stress on top of what she's already feeling??




(Melita when I first moved her to the tank and she was happy and swimming around)

 

Welcome to Fishlore

Do you still have her original home? Some fish don't handle changes well. That seems to be the case here. If you do can you move her back to it.

If not, did you move everything from her original home over to this one. Had you come to us first I would have recommended you move everything from her original tank over to this one including the water. By doing so it wouldn't have been such a drastic change for her and you would have moved the cycle from the small tank over to the bigger one. .

Is the light much brighter in this tank than it was in the original tank? If it is turn it down or turn it off. Give her some quiet time to hopefully get used to her new home. Is it possible to feed her some kind of live food? Maybe her hunter instincts will kick into gear if she has food to hunt for.

 

Welcome to Fishlore

Do you still have her original home? Some fish don't handle changes well. That seems to be the case here. If you do can you move her back to it.

If not, did you move everything from her original home over to this one. Had you come to us first I would have recommended you move everything from her original tank over to this one including the water. By doing so it wouldn't have been such a drastic change for her and you would have moved the cycle from the small tank over to the bigger one. .

Is the light much brighter in this tank than it was in the original tank? If it is turn it down or turn it off. Give her some quiet time to hopefully get used to her new home. Is it possible to feed her some kind of live food? Maybe her hunter instincts will kick into gear if she has food to hunt for.

I still have her old, 2 gal. tank with everything inside of it. There's rocks at the bottom, 2 plants, 2 rocks, and a filter that I think is attached to the base of the tank.

The light is about the same. I rarely turned it on in her old tank bc she didn't seem to like it. I don't have it turned on much in this one either, and since the water is still kinda brown from the wood, I feel like the light doesn't get to her as much.

 

I would normally say just leave her in the new tank and give her time to get used to it but it concerns me that she isn't eating. I do have to wonder what would happen if you go ahead and put her back in her original home. I would have to try it before too much longer. If she starts eating shortly after moving her back you will know it was the move that caused her too much stress.

I have a thought but I need to see a full picture of both tanks.

 

I would normally say just leave her in the new tank and give her time to get used to it but it concerns me that she isn't eating. I do have to wonder what would happen if you go ahead and put her back in her original home. I would have to try it before too much longer. If she starts eating shortly after moving her back you will know it was the move that caused her too much stress.

I have a thought but I need to see a full picture of both tanks.

Hmm okay. I'm nervous to move her back because I don't want THAT move to be so stressful that she dies. I've read a lot of forums lately and some people have mentioned transferring their fish to a QT and "being too late," so I'm scared I feel like the new tank needs to cycle, though!! And she's in the midst of it.

Here are pictures of both tanks. What recommendations do you have?




(first: her old 2 gal tank--I took the plants out to put them in the new one... second: her current 5 gal tank--it's murky from the wood, but I'm doing daily water changes now to help it clear out)

 

Hmm okay. I'm nervous to move her back because I don't want THAT move to be so stressful that she dies. I've read a lot of forums lately and some people have mentioned transferring their fish to a QT and "being too late," so I'm scared

I do understand being afraid to do it but if she doesn't start eating I fear it isn't going to end well. I can't guarantee the move won't stress her but is it going to stress her more than she is already? That is the situation she is in now. I also can't guarantee moving her back will calm her enough to get her eating again.

Some fish are lost when moved to quarantine but often they may not have made it either way because they were too far gone already. We can only hope by moving her back where she was before will calm her down enough to get her to eating again. You just have to do what you think is best. I can only suggest options.

I feel like the new tank needs to cycle, though!! And she's in the midst of it.

Since she is the only fish in this tank I wouldn't be overly concerned about the cycle. The water changes you are doing now are doing what the cycle would do. You are removing the ammonia. Basically that is the reason we cycle a tank. We grow bacteria to remove the ammonia.

Just a thought and may be a far fetched idea and one that can't possibly work but if you don't want to move her back to her original tank maybe we can do it half way. The main thing is, we have to get her interested in eating again.

Since this little girl was comfortable and thriving in her tiny tank I was wondering if you could set it inside the 5 gallon tank. Put her plants and anything else she was used to back in the 2 gallon tank. To start out just fill the 5 gallon up to just below the top of the 2 gallon. If she starts eating gradually fill the 5 gallon until the water line is above the top of the 2 gallon. Give her the opportunity to come out of the 2 gallon by herself. I am hoping she will start eating again once she is comfortable.

The transition to the 5 gallon will be slower but by doing it slowly she may handle it better. This may not be possible though if the filter is somehow attached to the bottom of the 2 gallon tank. You may not be able to submerse it. Doing so may ruin the motor.

 

Feed some live worms.
Also cover your aquarium old news paper for few days.

 

Feed some live worms.
Also cover your aquarium old news paper for few days.

This is actually a good idea. If at least 3 sides of the tank are covered she wouldn't feel so exposed. I should have thought about this so thank you for bringing it up. It could very well help her calm down. Feeding live food may trigger her hunting instincts so is also a great idea.

 

I do understand being afraid to do it but if she doesn't start eating I fear it isn't going to end well. I can't guarantee the move won't stress her but is it going to stress her more than she is already? That is the situation she is in now. I also can't guarantee moving her back will calm her enough to get her eating again.

Do you think I should do anything special before moving her back? Just make sure the water temp in the old tank is the same temp as the new tank and transition her? Or should I put her in a small bowl with water from both tanks before moving her back into the 2 gal?

Feed some live worms.
Also cover your aquarium old news paper for few days.

Hmm smart. Okay! I can try this.. I've tried the frozen bloodworms, which she used to get excited about eating, but she won't budge now. Maybe the live food will alert her!

 

OK her fins look like they are in rough shape. Not quite nitrate melted. If nitrates are not melting them, what happened to them? When I nitrate melted a betta, it was still eating.
A betta that is not eating has a problem. A betta that is on fire will stop rolling around on the ground if given the opportunity to eat.
The betta has had 2 years to learn you bring the food, so I can't see her being shy around you. Is there a lot of activity in the room?
I have never had a betta go shy on ending up in a bigger tank and I have pitched them into 60s.


What does your tap water test at? You used the same water source for the old and new tank correct? City or well water?
PH of 8 is a bit high. I'd like to see closer to 7.
What is the temp? A betta likes ~82F.
Are your tank params still the same as in your original post? Test before water change.

Did you boil the new wood that is leeching tannins?

I don't know those water conditioners, are they the same as Prime/Safe? If they are they should knock out chlorine and IIRC chloramine incase the city changed your water.

 

Do you think I should do anything special before moving her back? Just make sure the water temp in the old tank is the same temp as the new tank and transition her? Or should I put her in a small bowl with water from both tanks before moving her back into the 2 gal?

I would try leaving her in the 5 gallon and blocking off at least 3 sides of the tank first. Just leave the front of the tank open. By doing so she may calm down and start eating again.

Hmm smart. Okay! I can try this.. I've tried the frozen bloodworms, which she used to get excited about eating, but she won't budge now. Maybe the live food will alert her!

hopefully you will be able to offer her live food and if so we can hope she will get excited enough to actually catch and eat.

 

I would try leaving her in the 5 gallon and blocking off at least 3 sides of the tank first. Just leave the front of the tank open. By doing so she may calm down and start eating again.

This morning's update: Water parameters are still checking out at 0 Nitrates/Nitrites/Ammonia, pH around 8. (I feel like I should add something to try to lessen the pH.. that could be causing something.) I have a towel around the back and sides of the tank, so she has more privacy. I think she needs more hiding places--right now she can only hide in the plants--so I'm going to get her something. Also, I got her to swim up to the top today, after I did my water change, and I tried feeding her multiple things, but she didn't want to eat any. I haven't gotten the live food yet, but I'm worried and kinda doubtful she will eat it :/

HOWEVER.... I swear I saw her nibble off 2 bites of a plant. Do bettas do that?? Maybe she's been snacking on the plants when I'm not looking. If so, that could be good!

Also, I've noticed her movement is kind of jerky *sometimes,* like she's rushing to swim somewhere fast or 'tweeking out' or something (see video at the link below). Any thoughts about that?? Have any of you noticed a betta do that?

For lack of better way of sharing, here's a Drive link to a video of her movement. It's slow, and near the end you see a little 'jerk' movement: Melita.mp4

 

Leave the pH alone. Stable is much better than a specific number.

She could very well be nibbling on bio-film. There is actually microscopic food in our tanks growing on all the surfaces. Fish will nibble on it so she may be getting some nutrition.

By all means yes, add more plants if you can. Keep the towel covering the tank until you are sure she has settled in. Once she has the speed swimming may stop. Don't just all of a sudden remove the towel in the daylight. After a few days maybe remove it after lights out. This way it will gradually get lighter as the sun comes up.

As long as you are seeing zero's on all tests hold off on doing another water change. I know you want to dilute the brown water but let's give this little girl some quiet time.

 

As long as you are seeing zero's on all tests hold off on doing another water change. I know you want to dilute the brown water but let's give this little girl some quiet time.

Okay!! I can do that.. I'll keep testing, maybe just in the evening, so it's dark for her. Today I got some more plants/a rock to be a hiding spot for her.

Do you think I should still worry about her not eating? Is it fair to keep trying every day or give her space and see if she'll eat in a couple days? Since it's been so long, I'm worried to just "keeping waiting and hoping she'll eat."

 

Okay!! I can do that.. I'll keep testing, maybe just in the evening, so it's dark for her. Today I got some more plants/a rock to be a hiding spot for her.

Do you think I should still worry about her not eating? Is it fair to keep trying every day or give her space and see if she'll eat in a couple days? Since it's been so long, I'm worried to just "keeping waiting and hoping she'll eat."

I would probably keep offering food at least once a day. Hopefully once she settles down she will feel more like eating. I know live food isn't always easy to get but I have to ask. Do you by any chance have any standing water outside that will possibly have mosquito larva in it? If so she may eat something like that.

 

Do you by any chance have any standing water outside that will possibly have mosquito larva in it? If so she may eat something like that.

Hmm. I'm not too sure. There is a small lake and pond near my house, but I'm not too sure where to find mosquito larva there. Would it be in a place like that? Any tips on finding it?

 

Hmm. I'm not too sure. There is a small lake and pond near my house, but I'm not too sure where to find mosquito larva there. Would it be in a place like that? Any tips on finding it?

If it is still warm where you are and you normally have mosquitos hanging around just set some water out and they will find it. I have to make sure I empty the trays under my outside potted plants to slow the swarms of mosquitoes down.

They lay their eggs in still water so if there are any puddles of water around the lake or pond you may find then in there. Watch closely and you will see them in the water. When you touch the water they will all drop to the bottom. Take your turkey baster along with you if you go looking for them. This type of food is natural food for your little girl.

 

UPDATE: My fishy girl seems to be behaving more normally. She comes up to glass more often! I also put a new rock hiding spot in there, and I think she likes it. Also, the tank looks a lot clearer now that the wood is out and I've been doing more water changes!! Unfortunately, her tank has an ammonia level of 1.0, as of yesterday AND she is still not eating but seems curious about food. When I tried feeding her a couple days ago, she watched the food closely and even went up to it but didn't actually eat.

I changed 30-40% of the water today, to help with the ammonia. I'm nervous to keep trying to feed her because I don't want to increase the ammonia but want her to eat.

Any recommendations on this update?

 

UPDATE: My fishy girl seems to be behaving more normally. She comes up to glass more often! I also put a new rock hiding spot in there, and I think she likes it. Also, the tank looks a lot clearer now that the wood is out and I've been doing more water changes!! Unfortunately, her tank has an ammonia level of 1.0, as of yesterday AND she is still not eating but seems curious about food. When I tried feeding her a couple days ago, she watched the food closely and even went up to it but didn't actually eat.

I changed 30-40% of the water today, to help with the ammonia. I'm nervous to keep trying to feed her because I don't want to increase the ammonia but want her to eat.

Any recommendations on this update?

I am very happy to hear that she seems more comfortable in her new home now. I would keep up with the water changes to get and keep the ammonia down to no more than .25 I would also continue offering her food. If she doesn't eat it just use your turkey baster to pull it back out of there. As long as you do that it won't have time to decompose and produce ammonia.

 

I am very happy to hear that she seems more comfortable in her new home now. I would keep up with the water changes to get and keep the ammonia down to no more than .25 I would also continue offering her food. If she doesn't eat it just use your turkey baster to pull it back out of there. As long as you do that it won't have time to decompose and produce ammonia.

Okay!! That's very helpful. Thank you

 

I am very happy to hear that she seems more comfortable in her new home now. I would keep up with the water changes to get and keep the ammonia down to no more than .25 I would also continue offering her food. If she doesn't eat it just use your turkey baster to pull it back out of there. As long as you do that it won't have time to decompose and produce ammonia.

Hi! I have a new update... LUCKILY, her ammonia has been at 0 for a couple days, and she is way more active and colorful and is eating daily (and wants to eat all day, might I add )! However, since her tank has been cycling, it now has about 40ppm Nitrates and 3-4ppm Nitrites -- as of yesterday, when I measured these.

She still seems active (maybe even overly active? like she will swim really fast consistently) and is eating, but I feel like her color might be starting to fade again. Should I just go back to consistent water changes? Any recommendations?

(Thanks again for being so dedicated to helping me and my girly.)

 

Hi! I have a new update... LUCKILY, her ammonia has been at 0 for a couple days, and she is way more active and colorful and is eating daily (and wants to eat all day, might I add )! However, since her tank has been cycling, it now has about 40ppm Nitrates and 3-4ppm Nitrites -- as of yesterday, when I measured these.

She still seems active (maybe even overly active? like she will swim really fast consistently) and is eating, but I feel like her color might be starting to fade again. Should I just go back to consistent water changes? Any recommendations?

(Thanks again for being so dedicated to helping me and my girly.)

You want to keep those nitrites down as much as possible. I would get some Seachem Prime to make sure it's not toxic to your betta. And I would do water changes anytime the ammonia combined with the nitrites is above 0.5 and when nirates get above about 25-40ppm (though the nitrates aren't as big of a problem).

 

Hi! I have a new update... LUCKILY, her ammonia has been at 0 for a couple days, and she is way more active and colorful and is eating daily (and wants to eat all day, might I add )! However, since her tank has been cycling, it now has about 40ppm Nitrates and 3-4ppm Nitrites -- as of yesterday, when I measured these.

She still seems active (maybe even overly active? like she will swim really fast consistently) and is eating, but I feel like her color might be starting to fade again. Should I just go back to consistent water changes? Any recommendations?
I
(Thanks again for being so dedicated to helping me and my girly.)

I am happy to hear that she is now more comfortable and is finally eating. Although she is now wanting to eat all the time you have to resist feeding her every time she asks for food. The more food = more ammonia = more nitrites and nitrates.

I would be changing out half the water daily and adding Prime with each water change until the nitrites drop to zero. Since you are noticing some color fade she is telling you she is uncomfortable. That is coming from the high nitrites. You really need to get and try to keep them down as low as you can until they go down and stay at zero. .

You are so very welcome

 

Hello again. I have sad news.. My fishy, Melita, just passed away this morning.

She was healthy and strong again. It was from old age. She was between 2.5-3 years old.

Unfortunately now I must ask.. Do I need to move my snail to a new tank? We removed the fish's body, but I don't know if it's still safe for the snail (or other fish in the future..?) to be in the same tank.

 

I am sorry to hear this but she lived a long life for a Betta. Since she died of old age I have to think the tank is safe for the snail or even for future fish.