Betta Not Eating After Water Change!! Help!!

So I’ve had my baby Betta for about 2 weeks now. I keep him in a 1.8 gallon tank with a filter. (I know it’s not ideal I plan on upsizing when he gets bigger). So anyway, I just did pretty much a full water change, not thinking clearly before doing so. I looked into it after the fact and found out that I’m only supposed to change a percentage of the water. The temperature is fine, at 78 degrees Fahrenheit. I put him into the cup I bought him in during the water change and let the water conditioner sit for about 40 minutes before putting him back into the tank. He’s been swimming normal and acting a bit active, but he won’t eat. When I put food in the tank he sucks it up and then spits it back out. I’m worried because I’ve heard of a few people who performed a large water change and their fish have died. Is there anything I could do for him to make it better? And how long do I have to wait until I know I’m in the clear and he’ll be okay? I’ve been watching him constantly and I’m just so stressed. I’m so attached to him, if he dies I’m going to cry. Someone help

 

How long before the water change did you feed him?

 

How long before the water change did you feed him?

A couple of hours before. I usually feed him twice a day and he eats fine, he always seems hungry. He never spits his food out like this. It’s now been about 5 hours since I finished his water change and put him back and he still won’t eat

 

I wouldn't be so worry just yet.

Fast him for a day or two, and then try feeding then

 

I would just play the waiting game and watch what happens. He might be a bit stressed. Did you acclimate him to the temperature and water parameters of the new water?

 

I would just play the waiting game and watch what happens. He might be a bit stressed. Did you acclimate him to the temperature and water parameters of the new water?

No I just kinda let the water sit for 40 minutes or so with the filter running and then I put him in there. The new water was the same temp as the water he was in though, maybe 2 degrees warmer at most.
Also, sort of off topic: I don’t leave my filter running all the time. He doesn’t like how it moves the water so much so I run it for about half the day and turn it off about half the day. Is it bad to do so? Will it affect the nitrogen cycle at all?

 

No I just kinda let the water sit for 40 minutes or so with the filter running and then I put him in there. The new water was the same temp as the water he was in though, maybe 2 degrees warmer at most.
Also, sort of off topic: I don’t leave my filter running all the time. He doesn’t like how it moves the water so much so I run it for about half the day and turn it off about half the day. Is it bad to do so? Will it affect the nitrogen cycle at all?

The beneficial bacteria need thevwater running through it to get the nutrients they need. So yes the filter needs to run 24/7. If it’s too strong for that small a tank, buy a small sponge filter and air pump. Keep us posted ok?

 

No I just kinda let the water sit for 40 minutes or so with the filter running and then I put him in there. The new water was the same temp as the water he was in though, maybe 2 degrees warmer at most.
Also, sort of off topic: I don’t leave my filter running all the time. He doesn’t like how it moves the water so much so I run it for about half the day and turn it off about half the day. Is it bad to do so? Will it affect the nitrogen cycle at all?

You should acclimate him to the temperature because the temperature can shock a betta. Especially a baby betta because they're more sensitive. Same thing for water parameters. Float the cup in the tank to match the temperatures and then slowly add the new tank water into the cup. Then you can release him into the tank. You can only wait and see for now.

 

Also, water conditioners work almost immediately so there’s no need to wait 40 minutes before adding it to the tank.

 

Also, water conditioners work almost immediately so there’s no need to wait 40 minutes before adding it to the tank.

I only waited 40 minutes because I wanted the tank to cycle and the temperature to get to the same temperature as my room before putting him on there.

 

The beneficial bacteria need thevwater running through it to get the nutrients they need. So yes the filter needs to run 24/7. If it’s too strong for that small a tank, buy a small sponge filter and air pump. Keep us posted ok?

So it’s a new day today it’s been about 24 hours since I last posted. He’s not being very active and he’s still not eating.

 

So it’s a new day today it’s been about 24 hours since I last posted. He’s not being very active and he’s still not eating.

Question. Have you got a liquid test kit?
You can try feeding him something live. Daphnia would be good.
You can also put an aquarium safe sponge on your filters outflow to slow it down some.

 

What is the temperature of your tank? Usually room temperature water is far too low for a betta fish. It should be between 78-80 degrees, betta fish require a heater. That may be why he’s not eating, they become lethargic in low temperatures. And cycling the tank can take upwards of a month+, not 40 minutes. I would get a liquid test kit as mentioned above so you can see what your parameters are and properly cycle the tank.

 

What is the temperature of your tank? Usually room temperature water is far too low for a betta fish. It should be between 78-80 degrees, betta fish require a heater. That may be why he’s not eating, they become lethargic in low temperatures. And cycling the tank can take upwards of a month+, not 40 minutes. I would get a liquid test kit as mentioned above so you can see what your parameters are and properly cycle the tank.

I have a heater and a thermometer in his tank, the heater makes it too hot and keeps it at 85-86 degrees so I don’t use it right now. His tank stays at 78 degrees Fahrenheit, give or take a couple degrees. It never goes below 77 or above 80 so I know that’s not the issue. He was doing great until I did the water change so I know it has something to do with that. I don’t have a water testing kit but I’m going to buy one when I get off work tomorrow. Also, I didn’t meant cycle in that context lol, I meant it in the sense that I was letting the water filter and move around for a while and acclimate to my room temp before dumping him directly into there. I know about the nitrogen cycle (somewhat) and I know it’s a process lol. And I know water conditioners are instant but he’s small and I like to play it safe because I’m scared I’ll make a mistake and kill him

 

Update: It’s been a couple of days since the water change and he’s doing much better. He’s eating like he was a few days ago and he’s a happy little fishy again. Yay! He was hungry today and he ate a few little pebbles but I was sure not to over feed him. Just for future references, how often should I do water changes, and how much water should I change each time? Just so this doesn’t happen again and I don’t put him through too much stress again.

 

From a first guess, it's probably stress. You should never fully change the water unless the tank is diseased. I would wait to be concerned. If the issue persists after a day or two, then you may have a real issue. Did you wash the ornaments? If so did you use soap?

 

Update: It’s been a couple of days since the water change and he’s doing much better. He’s eating like he was a few days ago and he’s a happy little fishy again. Yay! He was hungry today and he ate a few little pebbles but I was sure not to over feed him. Just for future references, how often should I do water changes, and how much water should I change each time? Just so this doesn’t happen again and I don’t put him through too much stress again.

If the tank is cycled you can usually get away with once weekly. Did you get the test kit? Change 25-30% water. Make sure you use prime or another water conditioner. Prime is good. Most important to keep ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate under 20. Temp 78-80. Clean water.

 

I got the test strips, this is the results. Looks like the ph is high and the nitrites are as well. How do I fix this? And what is alkalinity and water hardness and how does it affect my fish?

 

I got the test strips, this is the results. Looks like the ph is high and the nitrites are as well. How do I fix this? And what is alkalinity and water hardness and how does it affect my fish?

The test strips aren’t reliable. And you need to test for ammonia too. You’ll need to do continue doing daily water changes until you know what your water parameter numbers are. Did you get prime? If not which water conditioner do you have?

 

The test strips aren’t reliable. And you need to test for ammonia too. You’ll need to do continue doing daily water changes until you know what your water parameter numbers are. Did you get prime? If not which water conditioner do you have?

I have tetra betta water conditioner. Where can I find a test kit that is more accurate?

 

I have tetra betta water conditioner. Where can I find a test kit that is more accurate?

A liquid test kit like the API master test kit. I know amazon has them. You could call you local LFS to see if they carry one.