Betta laying on gravel

Hi guys, my male betta is in a 10 gallon planted tank with
1x assassin snail
2x young guppy (he gets along fine don’t worry)
?x pest snails

over the past 3 days i’ve seen him resting at the bottom which is unusual because he’s never done this. in the past, he has just sat in a leaf, moss ball or just hovered (fins barely touching the gravel). However, he’s now putting his fins on the gravel and i’m worried because he’s not one to do so. i can’t get a good photo as whenever i go near him he gets up and flares at the camera! So he’s eating well, great water parameters, he’s able to get up and he’s happily swimming around but every now and then i see him resting like this. I’ve had him for 5 months and he was around 6month-1year old when i got him.

 

Did you put anything new in the tank? Did you cycle your tank? What are your exact water parameters?

 

Did you put anything new in the tank? Did you cycle your tank? What are your exact water parameters?

nothing new to the tank.
the tank has been running since december so yes, i did.
parameters aren’t exact as i’m stuck with test strips but:
ph: 7.1
ammonia: 0ppm
nitrate: 6ppm
nitrite: ??

can’t be too sure as the strips aren’t the best

 

nothing new to the tank.
the tank has been running since december so yes, i did.
parameters aren’t exact as i’m stuck with test strips but:
ph: 7.1
ammonia: 0ppm
nitrate: 6ppm
nitrite: ??

can’t be too sure as the strips aren’t the best

Hmm... My betta used to lay down like that too when there was something wrong with the water quality. Maybe there's something wrong with his swim bladder? He doesn't seem bloated though. What do you feed him, how much, and how often? Does he ever steal some food away from the guppies?

 

Hmm... My betta used to lay down like that too when there was something wrong with the water quality. Maybe there's something wrong with his swim bladder? He doesn't seem bloated though. What do you feed him, how much, and how often? Does he ever steal some food away from the guppies?

he mainly eats bug bites once a day (just a sprinkle really) and if anything, he steals from the guppies! 2-4 times a week he’ll get some sort of frozen food like bloodworms and broken shrimp etc

 

he mainly eats bug bites once a day (just a sprinkle really) and if anything, he steals from the guppies! 2-4 times a week he’ll get some sort of frozen food like bloodworms and broken shrimp etc

I just realized you haven’t checked the nitrite. I would suggest getting a different water kit, so that you’ll know your exact parameters. Nitrite is toxic for your fish. Are all your other fish acting fine? Also do you soak the pellets before you feed them to him?

 

Do a large water change asap. He's definitely not feeling ok.