Betta just laying on thermometer?

So we bought Samson the only 25 watt heater at petsmart that would fit in his tank, hooked it up, and slowly got the water up to 80. I would think he'd be happy to be in the correct water, but now he's just laying on top of the thermometer in his tank. Sometimes he'll swim around to prove he's not dead, but he just lays there. I have no idea why he's being this way. I'm not sure if he's sick, other than the ich which I'm treating, or if there is nothing wrong and he's just taken to laying up there on the water surface. I thought the otto's would be the ones that had problems since they're so delicate in acclimating and what not, but they're loving life! I hope he's not just doing this to worry me, cause its working!

 

So we bought Samson the only 25 watt heater at petsmart that would fit in his tank, hooked it up, and slowly got the water up to 80. I would think he'd be happy to be in the correct water, but now he's just laying on top of the thermometer in his tank. Sometimes he'll swim around to prove he's not dead, but he just lays there. I have no idea why he's being this way. I'm not sure if he's sick, other than the ich which I'm treating, or if there is nothing wrong and he's just taken to laying up there on the water surface. I thought the otto's would be the ones that had problems since they're so delicate in acclimating and what not, but they're loving life! I hope he's not just doing this to worry me, cause its working!

Just a theory but - It could be that Samson is trying to be close to the heat and/or using the heater as a resting spot because it's closer to the surface and Bettas do like to lie on things close to the surface at times.. fighting off the ich might have him more tired so he's just enjoying having a warm spot to rest and take it easy.

Has he shown any signs of having anything else? His appetite & breathing seem about the same?

 

Well he was eating ok yesterday, although last night he only ate about half his food. He gets about 5 or 6 worms. Its kind of hard to see how he's breathing since the thermometer is right in front of the tank, and he's up where part of the hood covers him. I think its still ok though.

 

Well he was eating ok yesterday, although last night he only ate about half his food. He gets about 5 or 6 worms. Its kind of hard to see how he's breathing since the thermometer is right in front of the tank, and he's up where part of the hood covers him. I think its still ok though.

Hmm.. Do his scales look normal? Does he look bloated any to you? When's the last time he had a pea dinner? What do you feed him other than blood worms & how often? He might be constipated.

 

If it's not constipation, it's probably a symptom of the ich. Are you using medication to treat it or just the increased temperature? Medications can affect bettas' moods negatively too. Hopefully he'll perk up soon, especially once the ich's gone.

Whitney

 

If he had ICH you need to increase his temp to 85 degrees. The warmer temp will kill the parasite. It needs to stay at 86 degrees for 2 weeks, even if it looks like it cleared up. The parasite could still be there and it could re-attach itself to him if it's not kept at the temp for the whole 2 weeks. That is probably why he is acting this way. See if that helps and let us know if any changes occur. Natalie

 

as antisen asked... what kind of medication is he on? How long has he been on it?

 

I had a betta, Polaris, who would always lay on top of his heater just because it was closer to the surface. If he wasn't there, he was on top of the filter which was also submerged. So it could just be that he likes his perch there. But definitely keep an eye on him and make sure he's not catching anything.

 

Our female Betta has just gotten in the habit of lying on top of her column after I cleaned her tank yesterday and move the column a little so she basically has a little wedge where the column rests on the tank wall.. It's the highest spot in her tank.

 

Sorry, long weekend... Samson's ich is clearing up. I increased the temp to about 84 and used formaline. He looks much better, and was a bit more active today, but still seems to spend the vast majority of his time just laying either on top of the thermometer, heater or in his plants. I hope he perks up soon, my otto's both died from the increase in water temp. It caused too much stress. I had asked the guy at my lfs what the best treatment for all three was, he suggested the formaline and as everyone said, to raise the water temp. I just hope I don't loose Samson too. I feel so bad for the ottos!

 

Sorry, long weekend... Samson's ich is clearing up. I increased the temp to about 84 and used formaline. He looks much better, and was a bit more active today, but still seems to spend the vast majority of his time just laying either on top of the thermometer, heater or in his plants. I hope he perks up soon, my otto's both died from the increase in water temp. It caused too much stress. I had asked the guy at my lfs what the best treatment for all three was, he suggested the formaline and as everyone said, to raise the water temp. I just hope I don't loose Samson too. I feel so bad for the ottos!

I'm really sorry to hear about the ottos and I hope Samson perks up soon. Sounds like he probably will as soon as the ich is gone.

 

That's too bad about the otos. I lost 4 ottos in Bambi's tank when I treated her for ich. I thought it was the meds that killed them, but now that you mention it, it very well could have been the increase in temperature.

I'm sure Samson will be fine. Ich usually clears up quickly once you begin treatment.

CherryRose