Lethargic Betta


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I read something about that, and wasn't sure. I ordered this too (HikarI Betta Revive):



I am not quite sure what to treat the water with. There's something called BettaZing too, but it's not on amazon. Would you try the Betta Revive by Hikari, or the Almond leaf Extract first?

Thanks

I also got Mardel Maracyn , but I don't think he has this, from what I can tell:
 

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I really don't know! If you think he's actually sick with something then I would go with either the Revive or the Maracyn. The fact that he's still eating makes me wonder if Betta Spa would be enough to help support him so he doesn't get sicker.
 
Thanks. I have no clue either. I know something is wrong. I just don't see any visible signs of anything, other than the clamped fins. Thanks for your help
 
Good luck!

One other thought. Since Spa is just a leaf extract I wonder if you could safely add both it and one of the medications together? The Spa could help with the stress while the meds do the work.
 
Thx. I ordered them both amazon prime. Not coming until Tuesday. Betta not looking good at all. I want him to pull through -- I've become attached
 

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Thanks Aquaphobia, I don't know if I can take waiting 2 more days! He seem so much worse today...
 
Do you have any clean, dried leaves? Either Indian Almond/Catappa from your LPS or maybe oak from your yard?
 
No, unfortunately. I may have to run to PetSmart tomorrow and see what they have. I don't know what I'm treating him for, which makes it difficult.
 

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Okay, great. I'll look for that. Thanks! Would you recommend anything else in conjunction? I wish I knew what was wrong. He looks awful; still on bottom. I fear he's dead...this morning, he livened up enough to swim up to the top for air, and then right back down. He doesn't look bloated. If he has a fish illness, I can't see what it could be (none of the visible signs, that I can tell).

I looked at Petsmart Online, and found these:

-BettaFix
-API General Cure
-National Geographic Herbal Relief for Bacterial and Fungal Infections
 
I would say no on the first 2 and maybe on the third. I hate to recommend using any medication unless you know what you're trying to fight. That's why I was leaning more towards additives to support his health and general well-being. I can't get them here at my Petsmart any more (twits) but they used to sell Catappa leaves for hermit crabs. Maybe you can get a package? They're really cheap! You can either add them directly to the tank or make your own "betta spa", directions here:

 
After reviewing all of the betta diseases again, with photos, I looked at him again with a flashlight. The only thing I can see is some darker coloration almost like bruising on his torso, close to gill area. But he's red, so it's really hard to see. And, I'm not sure???
 
What about adding aquarium salt? Any thoughts?
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None whatsoever. I know it's been helpful, or seems to have been helpful, in other cases, and it's probably not going to kill him, unless it stresses him out a lot, so...
 
Since Petsmart doesn't seem to have anything "natural" I'm just going to wait until tomorrow and hope my betta can hang in there....
 
Any update

Sent from my SM-G360V using Fish Lore Aquarium Fish Forum mobile app
 
HI everyone. We have a male Betta fish that lives alone in a (unfiltered) 10 gallon tank. The tank gets regular water changes. He's always been a "sluggish" fish, never moving around too much. But over the last week he has just been floating on his side at the top of the tank. We blamed the water for being too cool and purchased a new heater. The water now stays around 78 F. He has also stopped eating. When we open the tank, he'll get startled and try to swim away, but he'll just float back up. We got him about 6 1/2 months ago.
I don't know if it's a swim bladder issue, or some other disease. Ammonia levels seem fine (use API test kit). Everything else is normal. Somebody suggested aquarium salt for goldfish and tropical fish, but I don't know if it will really help. Any thoughts or advice would be very much appreciated!!
 
Without a filter, your tank can't be cycled and you won't see nitrite or nitrates. You will get ammonia though.

I'd add a filter and cycle your tank. I think you'll see much improvement. When the tank is cycled, a 50% weekly change should be fine.
 

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Hi, and thanks for the reply.
Do you think filtering it would help? It originally was filtered, but he kept getting sucked onto the outside of the filter and ripped his tail fin. The filter was an appropriate size for the tank, and was a tetra whisper..
 
I could try and put the filter back in, but since he's so "weak" I'm afraid it would harm him even more. :/
 
I'll look into buying one of those. In the meantime, is there anything we could use that we have at home to buffer the intake? Like a sock or something?
 
A clean, never worn or washed pair of pantyhose would work! Just cut the foot off and rubberband or tie it with fishing line to the intake.
 
Can someone help me with my fish? I have only had him since April of 2016. He is in a 1 gallon heated tank (77 degrees) and I drip transitioned him over from Poland Springs to the elive betta water. He eats Betta Bio-Gold pellets. I give a freeze dried blood worm, mysis, or daphnia 1-2x a week in place of a meal. Water parameters are always good and the tank has been cycled. For the last three weeks he has been lethargic (still eats like a champ) but he is very vertical if he's not actively swimming. His tail points toward the gravel and head up. He spends all his time on the bottom or on a plant leaf at surface. When he rests he lists to whatever side the dorsal fin goes to. He is not bloated. I thought swim bladder, but he doesn't have any other symptoms - sinking like a rock, popping up like a cork, swimming sideways, etc. I tried fasting him. Bettafix for a week, API aquarium salt, 1 drop (dose 1x) Paraguard in the water for a week. No improvement. He is not the same fish. IDK what's left to try. Someone mention a course of Tetracycline, vitamins, or adding a female in a separate tank so they can see each other. I did not do the pea treatment. If anyone could help me I would be so grateful. Thanks!
Flowingfins you seem to be a betta offionado, have you seen this before?
 
It doesn't sound like he has swim bladder to me, so I wouldn't do the pea treatment. Honestly, I would move him to a bigger tank. Bettas will get bored believe it or not. I have seen it in one of my Bettas. I switch things up every couple of months just to give a new environment for them to explore. One gallon isn't much for a fish, and I always feel that 5 gallons is the least amount of space a Betta should have. Even a 2.5 would be an improvement. You can get 5 gallon kits from walmart at around 28$ and it's a good deal. Also, do you have a filter? if so is there a lot of current? That can stress them out as they do not cope well with it. Also, 77 degrees is a little low for a Betta. By getting a larger tank, and a new heater that can get around 79-80 degrees would be best. This could be adding to him being lethargic. I would try all of these methods before going to the medications. If he is at the bottom I would add an air stone, but only if you upgrade the tank. It would cause too much current in the one gallon. I would really consider all of these options, and you may see your Betta go back to normal. Also add some decor and some live plants, as they help with filtration and add oxygen to the water. A great filter for a 5 gallon that does not have a lot of current is the Tetra whisper filter. I believe this is the one that comes with the kit from walmart. Anyways, I hope this helps, and I hope your Betta goes back to normal soon.

Also, what TexasDomer asked is important. The smaller the tank size the worse it will be if something goes wrong and the less time you have to combat or fix the problem. This can create a real danger for your fish. If you only have one gallon of water it should be changed very often, at least every other day if you do not have a filter.
 
Betta's being these superhero fish that prosper in small tanks with no heat and poor water conditions is a myth. I would put him in a 5 gallon, they like a heated aquarium, 78 degrees and make sure you have a subtle filter.

I've had bettas in 2.5 gal tanks (two of them). Down the years I ended up buying a 12 gallon and a 6 gallon fluval edge that I have each of them separated in. They're much much more active and so much happier now.
 

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In addition to what the others have said, I would stop with all the medications. Its very risky to treat when you're unsure of what you're treating.
Also answering TexasDomer s questions would be very helpful
 
I took the filter off because the current was too strong for him. I will have retest the water, 3 different pet stores tested it, but I don't remember the exact parameters. My other Betta is very happy in 2.5 gallon tank. I had this guy at work and couldn't fit a tank that big on my desk.
 
How long has the filter been off?
Have you tried baffling it? Without a running filter, you can't have a cycled tank.. that's probably what's wrong with him
 
Peas are not just for swim bladder. They're great for constipation too. You can give him a pea if you think he's constipated.

And agree, if the filter has been off, I would think it's a water quality issue. Pet stores can say your water is fine when it's really not. Half the time they don't know what the numbers mean.
 
The filter has been off for months. It has been impossible to get information about proper care for these fish. Everyone I ask tells me something different. The people in the pet stores don't know anything. I couldn't find a way to baffle the flow and there is no valve to adjust it. I was originally doing 100% water changes every other week and a 50% change on the other weeks. I just did a 50% water change on Saturday 7/30 and I have stopped all medications. It's like when he swims his tail is too heavy and he is vertical in the tank. He darts to the top for air and then rests on a leaf or back to the bottom. He is less social than he used to be unless food is involved. Then he's like Jaws. I am so glad I found this group. I appreciate the advice and look forward to learning more. These are my 1st Bettas. I had a goldfish that lived to be 15!
 
Well we are glad you're here!
I would jump on Amazon real super quick and get a sponge filter. Super cheap and super easy to set up. All you need is an air pump
Also on your list should be a liquid test kit (API Liquid Master Test Kit is highly recommended) and some bottled bacteria (TSS+ or Seachem Stability are also highly recommended here)

I personally suggest reading the Nitrogen cycle asap if you haven't already. It is hands down the most important thing to know in this hobby
 
Sorry I didn't see this sooner!
I don't have anything to add to the advice already given. I strongly encourage you to get a bigger tank though.
 
HI everyone. I upgraded my Betta to a 2.5 gallon tank with a filter. I bought a live banana plant and some water sprite. I put his water from his 1 gallon tank and unwashed gravel in the new tank. Added some more gravel and water and ran the filter 24 hrs before adding him. I floated him in a bag for 10 mins and then added some water from the tank to his bag. I waited 5 more minutes and added more. I waited another 5 mins and released him into the tank. He is still doing all the behaviors he was doing in the one gallon....vertical in tank unless actively swimming (head up, tail down) resting on heater, other plants, or bottom of tank. He will swim actively at front of tank and can drop his head toward gravel and tail toward surface. However when he rests and just tries to look at you he can't stay horizontal and the tail drops. He's eating well. I am out of ideas. He's a totally different fish than he was a month ago and even after a week in the new tank, stopped all meds 2 weeks ago, water changes, nothing has helped. I wish I could post a video of him so you could see him swim.
 
I'm a bit worried about one of my male Bettas, Tango. He seems to be slightly lethargic and rests on the bottom of his 3 gallon heated tank for most of the day. If I go near his tank, he perks up and swims around for a minute or two before settling on the gravel or on his rock again. He eats normally, has vibrant colour, breathes normally, and has no signs of external problems that I am aware of. I don't think it's a water quality issue as water changes don't seem to make a difference and his tank is kept very clean. Could this be an internal problem or is he just bored or could it be something else?
Any input would be appreciated
 

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What type of betta is he? Sometimes bettas with heavy finnage find it hard to swim constantly so they opt to just stay in one place. Is he pooping normally?
 
He sounds pretty healthy to me, some bettas are just kind of chill. Has he always acted like this? Agree with Lchi, it could be his fins as well.
 
What type of betta is he? Sometimes bettas with heavy finnage find it hard to swim constantly so they opt to just stay in one place. Is he pooping normally?
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image.jpeg
He's a veil tail with quite a lot of finnage (the photo above was taken when he had mild finrot) I did wonder if his finnage was the issue because when he's starting to drift back down to the bottom it almost looks like his tail is pulling him down. I haven't really seen him poop in a while, but I'll keep an eye on him to check when he does.
 
He sounds pretty healthy to me, some bettas are just kind of chill. Has he always acted like this? Agree with Lchi, it could be his fins as well.
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I'm probably just being a paranoid fish mom lol, but I just wanted to make sure. He's generally pretty chill, but he would usually swim around but now every time I look at his tank he's sitting on the bottom.
 
You're right, he looks healthy and vibrant. Good weight, it might just be a mellow personality or his tail weighing him down. Has he always been like this? If so, I wouldn't worry.
If this is a big change in behaviour, I'd check in his gills, check the temperature/pH and check his poop.
I hope your boy is alright! He's gorgeous.
 
You have a beautiful boy, hopefully he's all good!
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Thank you, I'll keep an eye on him and update this thread if anything changes. He was my first betta and I love him to bits
 
Agreed, he looks fine to me! Reminds me of my very first betta, he was red veil tail also. The reason I asked about his poop is because internal parasites can cause white stringy poop. He just sounds like a laidback guy to me. To keep current my betta engaged, I leave something that floats and is fish safe for him to bat around on the surface like a ping pong ball or leave a magazine propped up by his tank so he can enjoy the pictures LOL. Good luck with him and be careful, they're addicting! I had MBS (Multiple Betta Syndrome) for awhile!
 

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