Depressed Betta? or injured?

the kids thought it would be nice to get Leroy a wife in doing so all was great for about 20 min they did circles around each other and it looked like they were getting along great till Zoey the girl attacked him several times before I could get her out of the tank. now he won't do anything but sit on the bottom lethargic a few times he has gotten stuck to the filter and I had to move him off it....is he mad or sad that I took her out? should I put her back in . she is now swimming happy go lucky in a 40 gal all to herself he has been like this for a day and a half now
this is my first bettas so I'm unsure what to do

 

You should never put any bettas together. Not even a male and female unless you are going to breed them, and then there is a very careful process. Either take the female back or get her her own tank. He will probably be fine, just keep his water clean and watch for any signs of infection.

 

Bettas are territorial solitary fish, it's doubtful that he misses her.

He is at the very least stressed out, if not injured, which can lead to illness. I'm not sure exactly what to suggest in this situation so I'll leave the advice to other fishlore folk, however you might want to look into immune system boosting. Some sites suggest adding FRESHWATER aquarium salt to the tank, Indian Almond Leaves or the liquid extract is good for improving betta health.

Check out fishlore's profile on bettas, and the site bettacare101.com as well.

 

Also read these articles: they will help you better understand how to take care of your betta.
https://www.fishlore.com/aquariummagazine/mar08/betta-tank-setup.htm
https://www.fishlore.com/Articles/betta-fish-care-guide.htm
https://www.fishlore.com/Articles/BreedingBettas.htm
For his health it is very important that he is in a filtered and heated aquarium... I don't know your set up, but these articles will cover the basics.

 

thanks for the advise I guess I have more reading to do *sighs* my hubby said he is just pouting cause he got beat up by a girl and he will be fine when he gets over it...oh and I'm not taking her back we got her from walmart where she was in less than an inch of water not even enough to swim upright

 

thanks for the advise I guess I have more reading to do *sighs* my hubby said he is just pouting cause he got beat up by a girl and he will be fine when he gets over it...oh and I'm not taking her back we got her from walmart where she was in less than an inch of water not even enough to swim upright

It looks like you have plenty of space for her if you have three tanks, I wouldn't worry about taking her back if she has somewhere else safe to go. Your 5 gallon isn't listed on your profile, is there a 3rd betta in the 55 on your profile or was he moved?

 

I will read those thanks and yes he is in a filtered heated 5 gal but she is in a 40 gal its filterd but the heater has not came in the mail yet hopefully tomorrow but lights help with the water temp she looks very happy and content unlike him who is pouting miserably

 

In all reality, he is probably going to be just fine. You didn't mention any visible wounds so I assume he is just a little sore and tired. You need to keep his water warm and very clean. I keep my bettas at 80 degrees. They are resilient little fish with lots of personality.... just not very sociable. Each of my boys (I have 3) have heated, filtered 5 gallons of water. If you do need to medicate him at some point make sure to NEVER use Melafix, Pimafix or even Bettafix. Those meds are deadly to a betta. Feel free to ask all of your questions here... there are lots of betta parents who have many betta babies.

 

It looks like you have plenty of space for her if you have three tanks, I wouldn't worry about taking her back if she has somewhere else safe to go. Your 5 gallon isn't listed on your profile, is there a 3rd betta in the 55 on your profile or was he moved?

no not a 3rd betta just the 2 I was going to put him in my 55 but my DG is a bully so I didnt think it would work out I need to update my profile I think cause in total I have 4 tanks

my water temp on the 5 gal is 78 that's all that heater goes to its got a built in thermostat that stays at 78 all the time is that okay?

 

78 should be fine, the lowest I would go is 76

 

he does have 3 small holes in his fins will they heal up

 

there are lots of betta parents who have many betta babies.

Hey, that's me! lol

no not a 3rd betta just the 2 I was going to put him in my 55 but my DG is a bully so I didnt think it would work out I need to update my profile I think cause in total I have 4 tanks

Just as a side note, you won't want to put a betta in the same tank as a gourami. They are pretty closely related, and will very likely end up fighting/hurting each other.

my water temp on the 5 gal is 78 that's all that heater goes to its got a built in thermostat that stays at 78 all the time is that okay?

Ideally, a betta tank should be around 80F, but 78 should be fine

Edit: ripped fins should heal with clean water

 

Yeah ripped fins should heal on their own with clean water. If he develops fin rot I have had great success treating that with Jungle Labs Fungus Clear... but water changes every other day will probably keep things clean enough that you won't have to medicate. If he gets stuck to the filter again, get a pre-filter sponge to put over the intake. That will slow the flow some and give him the break he needs to just rest.

 

thanks you guys I will sleep better now knowing he will probley be okay with the right care. as for her I have to get her a 5 gal tank cause I had other plans for the tank she is in and one single fish wasn't it lol

 

thanks you guys I will sleep better now knowing he will probley be okay with the right care. as for her I have to get her a 5 gal tank cause I had other plans for the tank she is in and one single fish wasn't it lol

I'm sure she's loving it though! Haha

 

yes look at all the room she better not get used to it lol

 

Spoiled little fish!

Now that I look at the picture in your first post again- I've never seen a female that was that colorful before. Are you sure it's not a male plakat?

 

I know nothing but what ive read on here but it does say on the cup I got her in female betta (splendens veiltail)

wow I just googled that maybe there was a mistake

 

It could be, but I don't think so. It looks more female than plakat to me, but its hard to tell sometimes. I have had extremely colorful females in the past. One of my prettiest and also most aggressive bettas was a crowntail female. Look on the bottom of the fish for the "egg spot" it will look like a small dot on the underside of the betta.

 

I don't think its a male either all those had a point on there bottem fin and she don't shes just a pretty pearly purplish pink ..update on leroy he is looking a lil better today still wants to hide and not himself I just took this picture of him

 

He is really beautiful, hope he makes a full recovery soon!

 

UPDATE LeRoy is doing much better now eating and playing again had fun experamenting with his tank tonight lol

 

oh, nice!

 

Pretty neat, glad they are both doing okay!

 

well he was doing ok but I got up this morning and found him stuck to the floor he jumped to his fate from the tank and onto the floor sometime during the night

 

Okay so yesterday I finally have a 10gal tank for two of my male betta and yes I put a divider in. They only flared once or twice at each other. King loves it since it’s his first tank to move around in. Shadow on the other hand had a 5gal all to himself and when I put him in he seemed okay but he never really seemed himself when we fed him yesterday.... didn’t even eat his treats. Right now he’s just laying next to his plant.




That’s him...

 

Did you check that the parameters between tanks were the same? Perhaps he's experiencing some shock from the transition.

 

Did you check that the parameters between tanks were the same? Perhaps he's experiencing some shock from the transition.

I’d need to get a kit and I’m trying but I’m waiting until I get paid. I’m hoping to get the API master kit. It’s weird cause the first day I put him in he was perfect and happy. I hope it’s nothing serious.

 

Do you know about the nitrogen cycle? Did you move his old filter or the media over to the new one with the fish?

 

Do you know about the nitrogen cycle? Did you move his old filter or the media over to the new one with the fish?

All new filter. :c is that bad?

 

Probably experiencing Ammonia poisoning as we speak.

And if the fish can see each other through the divider it defeats the purpose of it. Get one that they won't be able to. I bet Shadow is the betta male (no pun intended) of the two so he's really stressed and trying to stay out of sight of King.

 

All new filter. :c is that bad?

Yes, it means that your tank is cycling which means that you're going to have to take steps to protect your fish from the ammonia and nitrites until the bacteria have grown sufficiently to process them.

 

Agree with the others. Another possibility that occurred with my betta is some other form of infection caused by stress. While ammonia poisoning could certainly be what's causing this issue, there are a few other possibilities.

When bettas are stressed (which can happen if they can see another betta), they are more susceptible to other kinds of infections. When I initially moved my betta from a 2.5 gallon temporary to an 8.5 gallon, he became extremely stressed and got velvet (displayed the same symptoms your betta is displaying, which is why I mention it -- sitting in one spot, not moving, etc.). Be sure to look for signs of other kinds of infections in addition to potential ammonia/nitrite/nitrate poisoning.

 

Yes, it means that your tank is cycling which means that you're going to have to take steps to protect your fish from the ammonia and nitrites until the bacteria have grown sufficiently to process them.

Oh well then.... it’s weird cause one is fine but shadow is acting weird. Also, what is filter media? And does the fish that’s used to said filter stuff ?

 

The one that's not doing well may have gotten used to clean water while the new guy probably was living in worse conditions so isn't reacting as badly. Hard to say.

How long have you had Shadow?

 

Oh well then.... it’s weird cause one is fine but shadow is acting weird. Also, what is filter media? And does the fish that’s used to said filter stuff ?

The one that's fine is probably on the cycled end of the tank with the cycled filter, while Shadow has a new filter, so he doesn't have the beneficial bacteria sitting in his filter (not entirely sure of your build -- I assume you have one filter on each side of the divider?).

The filter media is what is inside the filter to hold the good bacteria that helps eliminate harmful chemicals like nitrates, nitrites, and ammonia. It can look different based on different filters, but it often looks like a sponge or a bag of biomass (mine are white and chalky-looking).

Without that beneficial bacteria in the filter, your fish are susceptible to chemicals that can stress them out or kill them. When you divided the tank and gave Shadow a new filter, it likely reset the cycle, re-exposing him to those chemicals.

 

Agree with the others. Another possibility that occurred with my betta is some other form of infection caused by stress. While ammonia poisoning could certainly be what's causing this issue, there are a few other possibilities.

When bettas are stressed (which can happen if they can see another betta), they are more susceptible to other kinds of infections. When I initially moved my betta from a 2.5 gallon temporary to an 8.5 gallon, he became extremely stressed and got velvet (displayed the same symptoms your betta is displaying, which is why I mention it -- sitting in one spot, not moving, etc.). Be sure to look for signs of other kinds of infections in addition to potential ammonia/nitrite/nitrate poisoning.

How can I fix this? I still have 2 bubbles which they came in but only 2 10 gallon tanks and one has my other fish such platy and mollies. We can’t get another tank either so I would appreciate it if someone could help me and tell me what I could do to fix the situation of the tank.

 

Do you have something like Prime on hand to detoxify the ammonia and other nasties?

 

The one that's fine is probably on the cycled end of the tank with the cycled filter, while Shadow has a new filter, so he doesn't have the beneficial bacteria sitting in his filter (not entirely sure of your build -- I assume you have one filter on each side of the divider?).

The filter media is what is inside the filter to hold the good bacteria that helps eliminate harmful chemicals like nitrates, nitrites, and ammonia. It can look different based on different filters, but it often looks like a sponge or a bag of biomass (mine are white and chalky-looking).

Without that beneficial bacteria in the filter, your fish are susceptible to chemicals that can stress them out or kill them. When you divided the tank and gave Shadow a new filter, it likely reset the cycle, re-exposing him to those chemicals.

No I don’t... I only have one filter on one side. I was told that it cycles the whole fish tank and stuff and there’s no need for 2 filters on each side. I have a feeling I do but then I have no idea how the good would close... unless I get one online that is spongey like and sticks to the side or something. I feel so stupid.

 

How can I fix this? I still have 2 bubbles which they came in but only 2 10 gallon tanks and one has my other fish such platy and mollies. We can’t get another tank either so I would appreciate it if someone could help me and tell me what I could do to fix the situation of the tank.

Here's what I recommend:

1) block their view. Don't let the bettas see each other. You can't use a transparent divider with bettas, they'll still get angry at each other through the glass and get stressed. Use a black divider, or any divider that you can't see through.

2) Cycle Shadow's side of the tank immediately. Add beneficial bacteria supplements (I use Nutrafin Cycle, but there's plenty of other options as well). If he's suffering from ammonia poisoning and you don't have a hospital tank, he needs his end of the tank to be cycled as soon as possible.

3) Check for other signs of illness. Shine a light on him -- if you see a golden dust covering him, he has velvet (which is what my betta had). If you notice any weird growths, treat those.

But start with fixing the divider and cycling his tank.

No I don’t... I only have one filter on one side. I was told that it cycles the whole fish tank and stuff and there’s no need for 2 filters on each side. I have a feeling I do but then I have no idea how the good would close... unless I get one online that is spongey like and sticks to the side or something. I feel so stupid.

I'm no expert on dividers (so anyone with experience please feel free to correct me), but if there's no free flow between the two sections of the tank, then it would be extremely difficult for the side that doesn't have the filter to be filtered properly. At the least, one side will be much more filtered than the other. But I could be wrong.

Getting a sponge filter might be a good idea -- I can't picture your tank so I'm not entirely sure what the best setup for you would be, but you most likely need a filter of some sort on both sides, especially if one betta seems to be sick.