I'm New And Have A Concern About Betta Fish Sleeping.

So I've had Ziggy for almost a week and he's my first fish ever to take care of on my own. He's in a 5 gallon tank with a filtration system, a heater, sand substrate, all live plants, decor, thermometer and a betta hammock. I feed him his pellets in the morning around the same times and I've got him on a sleeping schedule. He eats at every feeding (5 pellets) and swims around the tank in the day time. He has even brightened up his coloring since being in the tank. And he made a bubble nest which I took as a good sign. Now that all that information is out of the way, on to my concern: at night most of the time he does rest on his hammock, but sometimes I find him (in the swimming position) up against the filter slits near the surface. My parents, who don't have experience with Betta's, have me concerned that it could mean he's dying. Is that kind of behavior considered normal for him? Also, ever since I got him his dorsal fin kind of lays over like the killer whales in captivatity. He is a Dumbo Halfmoon Betta to give you an idea of his fins. He rarely flares out the dorsal, I might have seen it once...is that normal? It's not right down on his body, just drooped over.

 

Can you post a picture of your betta and the filter please. And my dumbo halfmoon sleeps in the oddest places sometimes so I wouldn't worry about his sleeping choices. I am worried about the fins though. What are your water parameters i.e. ammonia nitrites and nitrates.

 

Can you post a picture of your betta and the filter please. And my dumbo halfmoon sleeps in the oddest places sometimes so I wouldn't worry about his sleeping choices. I am worried about the fins though. What are your water parameters i.e. ammonia nitrites and nitrates.

I actually don't have a water testing kit I guess I should get one asap. So the filter came made in the tank, I'm not sure if I can remove it to replace with something else. Probably can, I haven't tried though.

 

I saw one acting like that at petco it would rest in a cave somtimes and also get stuck on the filter but he got off of it.

 

Hey there, how big are the pellets? You should only feed them a meal about the size of their eye twice a day.
How often do you change the water, and how much? And what water conditioner do you use?
It's not the worst sign ever, bettas sometimes sleep really weird.

 

if you don't have a test kit, I would suggest doing 30-50% water changes daily, until you can test.

 

Hey there, how big are the pellets? You should only feed them a meal about the size of their eye twice a day.
How often do you change the water, and how much? And what water conditioner do you use?
It's not the worst sign ever, bettas sometimes sleep really weird.

The pellets are tiny. And the girl at PetSmart that helped me (I did do a lot of my own research before going) has 8 Betta fish of her own so I trusted her knowledge about water changes. She said for the first month, once a week take out about a cup of water, replace that cup with fresh water and condition it. Because you're still trying to establish the tank. Then after that month you can do water changes less often.

 

a cup of water out of 5 Gallons is negligible.

if there is ammonia in the water, one cup is no where near enough.

 

I would get the API Freshwater Master Test Kit asap and test your water to see where you are at. (The cheaper strips are crappy and a waste of money).

 

The pellets are tiny. And the girl at PetSmart that helped me (I did do a lot of my own research before going) has 8 Betta fish of her own so I trusted her knowledge about water changes. She said for the first month, once a week take out about a cup of water, replace that cup with fresh water and condition it. Because you're still trying to establish the tank. Then after that month you can do water changes less often.View attachment 530919

Definitely would be changing 50% every other day. And he should be just fine.p.s. you have Felixs twin

 

The pellets are tiny. And the girl at PetSmart that helped me (I did do a lot of my own research before going) has 8 Betta fish of her own so I trusted her knowledge about water changes. She said for the first month, once a week take out about a cup of water, replace that cup with fresh water and condition it. Because you're still trying to establish the tank. Then after that month you can do water changes less often.View attachment 530919

I'm really glad you did your own research, it shows by the size of the tank and the fact that you have a filter and a heater, something most bettas don't have
Since it's likely that the nitrates are very high in the tank, try a 15% water change today, avoid a larger one to prevent nitrate shock, and a 25% tomorrow. After that, I would shoot for a 25% every other day for around a week and see if that improves how he acts. I don't think a 50% is necessary, but it does come down to personal opinion.
Also, if you're not familiar with it, try refreshing yourself on the nitrogen cycle (those words should highlight in blue and you can click on them).
Overall he looks healthy, but if there is excess ammonia, nitrite, or nitrates, it's possible those are messing with him internally. And good on you getting an appropriately sized tank, we really don't see that enough.

 

I'm really glad you did your own research, it shows by the size of the tank and the fact that you have a filter and a heater, something most bettas don't have
Since it's likely that the nitrates are very high in the tank, try a 15% water change today, avoid a larger one to prevent nitrate shock, and a 25% tomorrow. After that, I would shoot for a 25% every other day for around a week and see if that improves how he acts. I don't think a 50% is necessary, but it does come down to personal opinion.
Also, if you're not familiar with it, try refreshing yourself on the nitrogen cycle (those words should highlight in blue and you can click on them).
Overall he looks healthy, but if there is excess ammonia, nitrite, or nitrates, it's possible those are messing with him internally. And good on you getting an appropriately sized tank, we really don't see that enough.

Thank you! I'm actually going yo go have his water tested today also, because I'm paranoid about it.

a cup of water out of 5 Gallons is negligible.

if there is ammonia in the water, one cup is no where near enough.

Good to know, thank you.

View attachment 530926 View attachment 530926
Definitely would be changing 50% every other day. And he should be just fine.p.s. you have Felixs twin

Omg they do look a lot alike! So you don't think Ziggy is sick or something because of his fin? I'm gonna go to PetSmart right now and take some of his tank water to get it tested and I'm gonna buy my own kit while I'm there. Thank you for the help!

 

What type of filter/tank/ or kit is this? The filter looks like you could easily add some better media to it. I wouldn't mess with it much until you get this sorted out but you should eventually be able to get media in it that won't have you buying new cartridges for it.

 

Is he actually beeing sucked up against the filter slits? Or is he just hanging out near them?
I'm not familiar with that type filter, if it has a strong current or not, but perhaps a strip of the filter foam available from pet stores could be put in front of the slits if he is getting sucked up against them. Edit: The open cell foam (not the silly auto link to Amazon for spray foam)

 

Thank you! I'm actually going yo go have his water tested today also, because I'm paranoid about it.

If you're going to a store to get it tested, they'll probably just say "fine" or give it like "NO4 is a lil high" and you need to make sure you get exact numbers, like "0.5ppm".
Also, just to mention, during the first month of cycling a tank, you want to change more water than normal, not less.

 

If you're going to a store to get it tested, they'll probably just say "fine" or give it like "NO4 is a lil high" and you need to make sure you get exact numbers, like "0.5ppm".
Also, just to mention, during the first month of cycling a tank, you want to change more water than normal, not less.

I'm gonna buy my own testing kit while I'm there too. Any recommendations on what kind?

 

API Freshwater Master Test Kit

 

I'm gonna buy my own testing kit while I'm there too. Any recommendations on what kind?

API® Freshwater Aquarium Master Test Kit If you are going to PetSmart is should be around $22 there. It will last you a very long time and a lot more accurate. They use strips in the stores, so I never trust their tests much.

 

API Freshwater Aquarium Master Test Kit If you are going to PetSmart is should be around $22 there. It will last you a very long time and a lot more accurate. They use strips in the stores, so I never trust their tests much.

Thank you all so much, I feel better, I was freaking out a bit.

 

I have an API master test kit that I have been using for several months, it was recommended to me by others on the forum, it seems to work good and wasn't too crazy expensive.
Sometimes you can get a 5% or 10% off by purchasing online and choosing to pick it up in the store, at places like Petco and pet smart.

 

Omg they do look a lot alike! So you don't think Ziggy is sick or something because of his fin? I'm gonna go to PetSmart right now and take some of his tank water to get it tested and I'm gonna buy my own kit while I'm there. Thank you for the help!

No I think he will be fine. Just do your water changes as suggested here and cut his food to about 3 pellets 2x a day and I think he will be great.

 

No I think he will be fine. Just do your water changes as suggested here and cut his food to about 3 pellets 2x a day and I think he will be great.

Okay thank you so much!

No I think he will be fine. Just do your water changes as suggested here and cut his food to about 3 pellets 2x a day and I think he will be great.

Also have you heard of putting seashells behind the filter cartridge to promote better calcium and ph levels? They recommended that to me at PetSmart today but I know sometimes they don't know what they're talking about

 

Also have you heard of putting seashells behind the filter cartridge to promote better calcium and ph levels? They recommended that to me at PetSmart today but I know sometimes they don't know what they're talking about

They probably shouldn't be recommending that if neither of you knows what your water parameters actually are Best to start with a baseline for all your water parameters, make sure the tank is cycled, and go from there.

 

Also have you heard of putting seashells behind the filter cartridge to promote better calcium and ph levels? They recommended that to me at PetSmart today but I know sometimes they don't know what they're talking about

You can, but it takes ages to change the pH and honestly bettas don't like harder water or water with high calcium content. Most species of wild bettas live in really low pH soft water with no calcium content, and the seashells do the opposite of all that

 

They probably shouldn't be recommending that if neither of you knows what your water parameters actually are Best to start with a baseline for all your water parameters, make sure the tank is cycled, and go from there.

I mean they did their basic little test at PetSmart and that was what the guy suggested. But I'm bought the test kit everyone suggested and I'm gonna do that when I get home.

You can, but it takes ages to change the pH and honestly bettas don't like harder water or water with high calcium content. Most species of wild bettas live in really low pH soft water with no calcium content, and the seashells do the opposite of all that

Thank you, I will just test my water when I get home and do a water change.

 

Ziggy is a handsome boy!
That should make a nice home for him, I like the refuge too - well done you!

Altho no-one has said I think the consensus is that if his fin's not obviously deseased and the water is good then he'll be fine. It doesn't look deformed, just a bit 'swoopy'

 

Keep in mind that those gorgeous fins can get heavy to lug around all day. He may just be taking a load off

 

Thank you all so much, I feel better, I was freaking out a bit.

If u can afford the test kit at petsmart get it for sure cuz like all have said, u need it. But just so u know in the future get it online at amazon cuz it's half the price then in store, u can ask them if they'll price match it but they may only price match petco/petsmart online but it's worth a shot! Ur betta is beautiful by the way! And looks like he has a great home, if u keep up on water changes til ur cycle finishes he'll b one happy healthy betta!

 

Ziggy is a handsome boy!
That should make a nice home for him, I like the refuge too - well done you!

Thank you

Altho no-one has said I think the consensus is that if his fin's not obviously deseased and the water is good then he'll be fine. It doesn't look deformed, just a bit 'swoopy'

Thanks!

Keep in mind that those gorgeous fins can get heavy to lug around all day. He may just be taking a load off

Didn't think of that lol

If u can afford the test kit at petsmart get it for sure cuz like all have said, u need it. But just so u know in the future get it online at amazon cuz it's half the price then in store, u can ask them if they'll price match it but they may only price match petco/petsmart online but it's worth a shot! Ur betta is beautiful by the way! And looks like he has a great home, if u keep up on water changes til ur cycle finishes he'll b one happy healthy betta!

Thanks for the advice! I will look into getting it online next time, but I was a little panicked and wanted one asap. About to test now! And thank you, I adore him

 

Also have you heard of putting seashells behind the filter cartridge to promote better calcium and ph levels? They recommended that to me at PetSmart today but I know sometimes they don't know what they're talking about

One thing I have learned about pH. Don't try to fight it. Stable pH is much more important than a specific value in most cases. If you are after some specific conditions for a reason that might be one thing, but in general fish we get from pet stores locally are acclimated to close to the same values we have from our tap if they are coming from the same water supply. After you test your water and find all your values whatever your pH is, should hopefully not change at all going forward.

 

One thing I have learned about pH. Don't try to fight it. Stable pH is much more important than a specific value in most cases. If you are after some specific conditions for a reason that might be one thing, but in general fish we get from pet stores locally are acclimated to close to the same values we have from our tap if they are coming from the same water supply. After you test your water and find all your values whatever your pH is, should hopefully not change at all going forward.

Thank you!

 

Both of our bettas like to lean up against the filter intake (or the skimmer for our boy in the bigger tank)

They're "getting their suck on" as we say.

The suction isn't too strong, and they use it as a resting spot. The suction just holds them there and they don't have to put in any effort for a rest. If your water parameters are good and there's no other signs of distress, it's probably nothing to worry about... he's just 'gettin' his suck on'

 

Both of our bettas like to lean up against the filter intake (or the skimmer for our boy in the bigger tank)

They're "getting their suck on" as we say.

The suction isn't too strong, and they use it as a resting spot. The suction just holds them there and they don't have to put in any effort for a rest. If your water parameters are good and there's no other signs of distress, it's probably nothing to worry about... he's just 'gettin' his suck on'

That's hilarious! I never thought of that either! Thank you!

So y'all, I did my water testing and everything came out perfect except for the Ph...it was around a 6.6 I'm relieved! Thank you all again for the help, advice, and kind words

 

6.6 is fine as long as it is steady. Betta like slightly acidic water anyway. They can adapt to a pretty bug range. I don't know many people with water at 7.0. Mine is 7.8 and all my fish are just fine.

 

Awesome! Thank you!

 

My healthy Betta Spectre hangs at the intakes to… sort of like zero g for him. I worried for a bit until I noticed him heading for the intake at feeding time- he likes to let the flake float too him, lol.
He sleeps in odd spots as the mood takes him.