Lethargic Betta

[Lucy]

I try to get my tap water as close to the tank temp as possible by feel or you can use your thermometer.
If you dumped cold water on him, he can go into shock with that much of a change.
It's best just to rinse the filter media in used tank water and not scrub out the filter with a tooth brush as you could lose a lot of beneficial bacteria that way.
If it's that bad, you can take it out of the tank and run some dechlorinated water through it to get it rinsed out.
You really should get as much gunk out of the gravel as possible. Daily vacuuming might be a good idea until it's cleaned up.
There really shouldn't be that much if you're not over feeding and doing weekly maintenance.

 

[Jonny_Maelstrom]

Thanks Lucy, Most of the gunk is gone to be honest. It came from the algae stuff I had, I think, though that in itself may have been caused by overfeeding. I didn't know that about putting cold water in, so thanks for telling me.
He's swimming a bit, then stopping in the corner again so not sure what's going on. The lady at the lfs said they can get a bit slower in the colder weather (I live in Australia, but it's really not that cold yet) so maybe that's it. I bought some Bettafix wondering if that might help. Is that something you'd recommend in a case like this?

 

[Jonny_Maelstrom]

I've just noticed the temperature had crept up above 30C. Is this possibly a cause of the problem? I live in a very hot climate and sometimes the water gets hotter than I've set the heater at just because of the weather. It's never caused him any grief before, so I doubt that's it, but just a thought...

 

[COBettaCouple]

It could be a factor. Floating a sealed plastic bag with ice cubes in it can help with water temps in warmer climates. Also, if you don't have a fluorescent light on the tank, you may want to consider upgrading as the incandescent lights can really affect water temps on smaller tanks.

 

[Jonny_Maelstrom]

Thanks. I do have a light on the tank, but as I had the algae outbreak and the thing I read on this sight said to kill the lights to help get rid of it, I've been leaving it off a bit more lately.

 

[Mikey Doodle]

HI all. Wondered if anyone could give my some advice about my betta? I've only had him 6 weeks or so, and he's usually very active indeed!

He's in a 7.5g with an air driven sponge filter, and the heater is on to keep the temp at a steady 26.5*c. Water stats are: ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate 10, pH 8.2. He gets a 15% weekly water change, has plants and hiding places, and gets a mixed diet of flakes, brine shrimp, daphnia. He won't touch peas or veggies so also have some veggie flakes as well as the mixed ones.

Yesterday he was great, really active, and wiggled excitedly at the front of the tank whenever he saw one of us. This morning I came in to feed everyone, but he just stayed where he was until I lifted his lid. He looked at his food for a long time before he ate it, but he did eat. He had 1 or 2 flakes this morning, then some live daphnia this evening.

Other than that, that's the only real movement I've seen out of him all day. He swam to the bottom then back up a couple of times, but mostly he has just stayed in the top corner at the back.

He looks a little dull, too (pics attached) compared to normal. His body is usually a really vibrant purple colour and his fins crimson.

Any more info needed please let me know. I hope someone can help

x

 

[maxima423]

how long has this lasted? my previous betta went through this weird phase as well, lasted about 4-5 days than he was all good, no clue why though

your feeding schedule is fine, everything seems good but the PH!!!! 8.2, that's pretty high, what's causing it to rise that much??

just give him time, that's why I did for my betta

 

[Lucy]

Is he in with the frogs? Is it possible they are stressing him?
Even though adf's are low key, they might make lunges at his tail if they think it's food.

 

[Mikey Doodle]

how long has this lasted? my previous betta went through this weird phase as well, lasted about 4-5 days than he was all good, no clue why though

your feeding schedule is fine, everything seems good but the PH!!!! 8.2, that's pretty high, what's causing it to rise that much??

just give him time, that's why I did for my betta

The pH is that right out of the tap too I didn't want to go messing with it if I could help it really. He's only been like it today, so maybe he's just sulking or something?

Is he in with the frogs? Is it possible they are stressing him?
Even though adf's are low key, they might make lunges at his tail if they think it's food.

Nope, I thought about putting them together at first, but then thought better of it. I used the same gravel for both tanks as I got rather a large bag lol

 

[Lucy]

He could be sulking. I had a female who would get stress stripes for no apparent reason.
I didn't make any changes and couldn't figure it out.
After a day or so, she would be fine.

 

[maxima423]

I see that your betta is in with schooling fish, I read on websites that if there are multiple schooling fish in with the betta, it could give them some stress, how long has he been with them?

 

[bassbonediva]

I see that your betta is in with schooling fish, I read on websites that if there are multiple schooling fish in with the betta, it could give them some stress, how long has he been with them?

*psssst* His betta is by himself in a 7.5gal tank.

 

[Mikey Doodle]

Cheers Lucy, will just keep an eye on him and see how things develop

HI Maxima There isn't room to add his tank on to the list. I have 5 and there's only room for 3 lol. (Thanks bassbonediva lol)

 

[maxima423]

*psssst* His betta is by himself in a 7.5gal tank.

omg woops I just went straight for his info =[

 

[Mikey Doodle]

LOL, tis ok, am sure we can forgive you

Well, small development, he has now gone and hidden in his pot log, so I assume he's felling either less grumpy or doesn't want to be seen? He's such a drama queen! (Pretty much gets that from me I guess)

 

[Deeps]

parameters look fine except for the pH... anyways... may be he is wants to be pampered a lot like mine....

 

[Mikey Doodle]

lol, how do you pamper yours?

Still not very much movement this morning. He came out for food but then went back in. Should I maybe try fasting him? He doesn't look bloated, though...

 

[John Hutch]

HI Mikey Doodle,

Your betta is absolutely beautiful. I love his color and can only imagine what he looks like when his color is in its most vibrant state.

I also have to applaude where he lives. Most people keep their betta in a 1 gallon or fish bowl but you have given him a tremendous flat...;D

My only thought is that you can prepare the water days ahead of time and use some kind of PH additive to get it down to at least 7.2 or such.

Good Luck
John

 

[Mikey Doodle]

Thank you John ;D I don't like to see them kept in little tiny bowls! I know people who keep goldfish in bowls, and say it will be ok because they only have a 3 second memory. If only they knew how wrong they were and how much joy their fish could bring if they were allowed to thrive!

 

[Deeps]

And also, when coming to pH, I read that the pH should be brought down very slowly, may be .2 to .3 per day.. so be extra cautious when dealing with it.... may be partial and small water change can bring his mood up.. and try for dried Indian almond leaves and add 1 full leaf for ur tank and see the magic... that always works for my bettas... and as u can see.. I stay in India, and get them in lots.. all along the footpath..

and when coming to pampering... I literally beg my boys to eat one more and one more.... and then only do they eat.. and I sit for almost an hour to feed them, one blood worm per 5 mins... and got to beg them for another 10 minutes... lolzz .... now one of them is old and isn't eating even a bit ... the other boy is being pampered more than the gals...

 

[Mikey Doodle]

Thanks for the tip on the almond leaves! I will have to have a look around and see if they have them anywhere near me. I know there are a couple of specialist shops in the area that stock all sorts of things for some wonderful world cuisine! Will maybe give them a try!

There has been, however, no movement from him today. I do wonder if he was quite old already when I bought him. There is a lot of fading around his face, so it's possible I guess. I wish there was someone near me who breeds them!

 

[Lucy]

I'm sorry he's not doing well
Have any changes been made near or around his tank?
Is he losing weight?
How long have you had him?

 

[Mikey Doodle]

Not any changes that he would be able to see... or I don't think he would. There is my community tank, then he is next door to that (about 2ft away) and to his right is the frogger tank. I have set up my nursery tank recently, but that's at the other side of the frog tank.

He doesn't look to be losing weight, but isn't bloated either, just looks quite normal (apart from his colours).

I've only had him around 6 weeks (give or take a few days). I had a betta once before, and before I knew anything about them (he was in a community tank, soon had to rehome him, but that's a different story!) and he has always seemed bigger than I ever saw my first one get.

 

[uprightandlocked]

Has your schedule changed at all? It sounds funny but bettas have personality like people (and maybe even dogs, too LOL). If he's used to getting a lot of attention from you and you've been distracted from him ... he could be upset. Otherwise, I'd say give him a few more days to come out of this funk. We go through them, too, afterall!

As for the pH ... while it does read a little high ... my understanding is its better to keep him at a consistent pH than to keep him in water that fluctuates. If you are treating your water's pH and you aren't getting it to be uniform every time you could do more harm to him than the initial pH.

 

[Mikey Doodle]

Has your schedule changed at all? It sounds funny but bettas have personality like people (and maybe even dogs, too LOL). If he's used to getting a lot of attention from you and you've been distracted from him ... he could be upset. Otherwise, I'd say give him a few more days to come out of this funk. We go through them, too, afterall!

Nope No differences, I still sit near him on an evening when I'm on the PC and run my finger along the front of his tank for him to chase it etc. I feed all my fish twice a day, 9am and 9pm, and even the lights are on timers for the plants.

As for the pH ... while it does read a little high ... my understanding is its better to keep him at a consistent pH than to keep him in water that fluctuates. If you are treating your water's pH and you aren't getting it to be uniform every time you could do more harm to him than the initial pH.

That is as I understood it too, and it's quite a jump from where my water is naturally down to where it 'should' be, so I've never messed with it. He has been with me for around 6 weeks, though, so I would imagine if he wasn't happy in my water it would have shown by now? I'm totally lost, just hope he is maybe sulking and isn't in any pain.

 

[shih-tzu mom]

Hi: Mikey; Doe's he have a plant to rest on if he feels like it, and have you tried a little water change, to see if he will perk up a little-wishing your little 1-the very best -And so sorry that he is not himself maybe he's punishing you for some reason-garlic gard is excellant to perk them up a little and vita-cam-Wishing he gets feeling better-Bella

 

[Mikey Doodle]

Thanks Bella He seems to be swimming around a little this evening while his moonlight is on. Did a 10% pwc yesterday and another today. He looks as though his fins are stiff, though, like he's carrying little lead weights around with him. It's really odd.

Yep, there are plenty of plants and things that are at all levels so he can rest near the top or lower down if he wants to.

Mikey

 

[uprightandlocked]

He has been with me for around 6 weeks, though, so I would imagine if he wasn't happy in my water it would have shown by now? I'm totally lost, just hope he is maybe sulking and isn't in any pain.

I would assume he isn't in any pain. If his fins are all intact and not rotting away and he shows no other signs of impaired mobility, etc - I think he's just copping an attitude right now Also, your water is probably very similar to the water he lived in at the fish store so he is most likely not terribly affected by it.

 

[Mikey Doodle]

Quick update

Well, this morning he was out waiting for me, which is better that the last couple of days! His fins are still not flowing as they usually do, and still can't see any discolouration on them.

I'm a little less worried now as he does seem to be responding a little more to me, and he wolfed down his brine shrimp this morning! His fins are my only concern now, really, so will keep up with the daily PWC and see how we go from there.

Thanks for all your help and suggestions guys, I really appreciate it! I guess it's maybe me who is the drama queen and not my betta

Mikey

 

[Tigerfishy]

Best of luck getting him back to where he should be. If he hides again, just keep an eye out, my boys only hide when there's something wrong with them.

 

[hagmegsis]

So I got my boss hooked on keeping fish but of course I had to start her off easy. As a surprise I bought her a 5 gallon tank and everything she needed for it and allowed it to cycle. I used that liquid stuff if that makes any diffrence.
I checked the watrer perameters and every thing checked out so I went to petsmart and picked out a beautiful crowntail betta. We ended up dubbing him Sir. Francis aka frank
The first day he was a little ball of fire but now he just lays around the bottom of the tank and nothing on him moves. I swore he was dead multiple times but he is just coma like.
I'm taking my test kit tomorrow to check the water again I use the apI liquid test kit. I wanted to ask though if any one has any other ideas incase the water perameters check out.
He is still eating although he will only eat flakes he won't touch the betta bites,blood worms, or sinking shrimp pellets. ALso his colors are still just as bright and pretty.
I'm afraid he is dying and I know it would crush both mine and her hearts.
All sugestions are appreciated.

 

[Lucy]

I'm sorry your boss's betta isn't feeling well.
How long ago did you start the tank?
What liquid stuff did you use to cycle it?

 

[hagmegsis]

Well Between the 2 of us we have only had the betta for 4 days If I remeber correctly but I had the tank roughly 2 weeks before giving it to her. I used this to cycle it

 

[Lucy]

Sounds like he's feeling the effects of cycling tank.

Unfortunaly that's one of the products that won't really help cycle your tank.
While it might seem at first that it processes the ammonia, it doesn't allow the natural bacteria to develop.

You've got a couple of choices.
1) Start with 50% water changes with Prime to try and help him get through the cycling process

2) Many members have had luck using Tetra SafeStart.
If you decide to go this route, please read this first:
https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfishforum/threads/q-a-with-tetra-about-tetra-safestart.58116/

3) IF your tank is cycled, you can do at least a 50% water change (depending on what the readings are), cut a peice of your filter media and add it to the betta tank.
That should help seed the new tank with bacteria.
This link should help:
https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfi...-cycling-with-established-filter-media.66727/

Let's see what others have to say.
Good luck

Edit:
Read the instructions for the link you provied.
Imo, this shows that the bacteria in the bottle dies off quickly.

"All regular maintenance activities (water changes, filter maintenance, etc.): 5 mL per 10 gallons
After adding new fish and/or medicating: 10 mL per 10 gallons
Weekly dose to maintain a strong beneficial biological colony: 5 mL per 10 gallons"

 

[andrearamirezo91]

Does he have a heater?? sometimes when bettas are cold they become very lethargic

 

[Lucy]

Finnegin'sMom's question has been moved here:

 

[Satyana Love Lotus]

Hi,

My daughter was given a Betta (Oliver Boliver Butt) for her birthday about 3 months ago. He lives in a heated, filtered 5 gallon tank. Lately, he has been hanging out exclusively at the bottom of his tank or perched in a plant. I tried putting him on a fast in hopes that it was constipation causing the issue, but it didn't help at all. He is able to swim and surface for air, but the I noticed yesterday his swimming has become very fast and erratic. Also, he has little whitish lines on his gills. I feel so bad for the poor little guy. His life stinks right now. No swimming, no bubble nests, no fun.

Oliver has had two homes before he came to us and was sick almost immediately after arriving. First he had Ich, which has been cleared for more than 2 months and then he had a fungal infection. I change his water once a week and gravel vac once or twice a month. He used to have a snail tank mate who helped clean his tank, but since he passed away his tank has developed green algae. I have told that the algae is good, but I am not sure if this is true?

I am unsure what is wrong with him and how to treat it, so if anyone can offer their expertise it would mean a lot! Thank you so much!

 

[Eienna]

Whitish lines on his gills makes me think excess mucus from some sort of irritation. This can be gill flukes, infection, or water quality problems. Do you have a liquid aquarium test kit? If so, what are the parameters (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate)? If you don't or only have the strips, get a liquid one (the API Master kit is good) and get back to us with the numbers.

 

[Satyana Love Lotus]

Thank you! I will pick up a test and get back to you about the results.

 

[Eienna]

In the interim, a water change can't hurt.

 

[Gordinian]

HI guys!

I'm not too sure what's going on with my betta Victor. He's been pretty lethargic the last couple days, and has pretty much stuck to one corner of his side of the divided tank. He also hasn't eaten for the past 2 days.

I'm hoping I'm just overreacting, but the last time this happened to one of my bettas, it was Gordon, and he didn't make it As a precaution, I've removed Victor from the 20 gallon long that's divided with two other bettas, and put him in his own 5 gallon. I'm going to keep an eye on him now, and see if he gets better/worse.

Water parameters for both the 20 gallon and the 5 gallon will be up momentarily

Edit:

Params for 5 gallon- 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, 5 nitrates

Testing the 20 gallon now...

 

[petlorilea]

It could be anything really..... its hard to know how old they are when we get them from a big box store, so maybe age??
I see that your betta tank is only 78; bettas thrive in 82-84 degree water. Maybe he's cold?
If your filter is on his side of the division, maybe it is batting him about too much and stressing him
Speaking of stress, perhaps his neighbor is more aggressive and he is intimidated.
Glad you have him separated, keep us posted

 

[Gordinian]

Thanks for your post!

I just finished testing the 20 gallon, and both tanks are testing at 0 ammonia/nitrite and 5-10 nitrate.

I should probably edit some of my aquarium info- the temperature in the tank is at 80

He was on the side with the filter, but he had been for months with no problem. The water level is pretty high (the dividers go right up to the top of the lid, so there's no chance of them jumping), so the filter wasn't pushing the water around too much.

As for aggressive neighbors, it would surprise me if that was going on- he's normally not too aggressive, and also happens to be neighbors with the least aggressive betta in the tank.

I'm racking my brain trying to figure out what might be going on, and I can't think of anything! I just did a water change a few days ago, and didn't do anything differently; nothing in the tank has been changed either. Any other guesses as to what might be going on would be greatly appreciated!

 

[petlorilea]

I would still raise the temperature but other than the possibility that he is older, I can't think of anything else really.

 

[Gordinian]

Ok, I'm HOPING, hoping, hoping that I found out what's going on.

Yesterday when I was looking him over to make sure there was nothing physically wrong, I noticed that the lower part of his mouth was slightly brown; I didn't think anything of it at that time, because bettas change colors quite often, and this might've been there before and I just hadn't noticed it.

Well today it looks a little more fungus-y (or I might just be seeing things). It's a little darker, and looks like it "grew."

I had a bottle of maracyn plus right next to the tank that said it treated for mouth fungus, so I'm currently treating with that. Based on these pictures (sorry, they're the best I could get), could it be mouth fungus? (the water's not really that green, he's just sitting under a light that's covered in algae)

 

[Gordinian]

He's still not doing too good He found himself a corner of the tank with a plant to sit on near the surface and has been sitting there all day.

Now that I look at him more, I'm starting to think that he doesn't have a fungus. I did notice, though, that his poop looks kind of weird. You can see it in the picture above, which I took this morning. Now, at 10pm, it's still there. I hate to say it, but I think he might have a prolapsed organ- does anybody have experience with this? I would like to be 100% certain before I do anything.

If this is what's going on, is there anything that can be done? I've heard of cases where it fixes itself, but I'm not going to get my hopes up; if it doesn't fix itself, would it be in his best interest to euthanize? This sucks.

Here are some pictures, sorry for the poor quality.

 

[petlorilea]

I haven't seen anything like that I am at a loss to help

 

[Gordinian]

Good news! The thing is gone today! I'm not sure if it was prolapse, or if he was just REALLY constipated (it was there for a few days).

He's still a bit lethargic, but I've been able to get him to eat, and he seems to be doing better! Hopefully with tomorrow's water change he'll perk up even more

 

[Smurphy90]

HI everyone,

So my boyfriend and I have had our betta, Gideon, for about one year. It's our first fish, but we've made it through one bout of swim bladder and fin rot (which he had when we purchased him) and then another bout of fin rot when we were away for three weeks and could not find anyone to change his water.

We recently went away for two weeks and again couldn't find anyone to change the water, so we did it the same day that we left and then a day after we got back. I didn't test the water parameters before changing it as I wanted him to have fresh water asap.

While we were away our house-sitter (who has never owned fish, and was only feeding him) was asking me if it was normal for him to "hang around the bottom", which it is, to a degree so I assumed he was alright and she just happen to always catch him down there. She said he was coming up for food and eating just fine.

But when I got home, I realized he is hang out on the bottom a LOT more than I would consider normal for him. We rearranged his plants and decor the night we left (we also had to remove a log-tunnel thing because the paint was flaking off). He's now on the bottom, hanging out in/near this one small silk plant that he never used to like or pay attention to.

I'm going to test the water parameters tonight but we just did a 50-60% water changed two days ago and his behavior hasn't changed at all.

I thought he might have swim bladder so I fed him a bit of pea yesterday and nothing today. Our sitter didn't actually count how many pellets she was giving him. I told her 6-10, depending on if she was feeding him everyday or every other but when I asked how much she gave him she said, "I don't know. A pinch?" And with betta pellets a "pinch" can amount to an awful lot if you're not careful. He IS still swimming up to receive food and he'll occasionally swim around for a very short while when we enter the room but he's still hanging out in his plant WAY more than I would consider normal for him.

Any ideas on what could be wrong? He's not laying on his side and he doesn't appear to struggle while swimming, when he does. He just isn't swimming much at all.
His color seems normal and his fins seem fine.

I can't decide if he's sick, if he just likes that plant now, if perhaps he's not used to the household activity after a relatively quiet (and dark) two week break....I just don't know.

Any suggestions or input would be greatly appreciated.
I'll update later with the water test results.

Thanks!

 

[Vasalissa]

HI there, first up, do you have any pictures?
Have you noticed any physical differences with your fish? Any marks on him, scratches etc? Is there anything sharp in the tank he could've scratched himself on.
You said he was eating fine? That's definitely a good sign.
Do you have a heater in your tank with him? How big is the tank that he is in.

I would definitely do another water change, maybe not 60% but 30% sounds good, just to make sure the water is as close to clean as it can possibly be. In my experience, bettas tend to get lethargic and lying on the ground etc if they are cold or (heaven forbid) sick.
If you have a thermometer in the tank, what temp is the water at? Is this constant or does it sharply fluctuate cause high fluctuations in temp can affect bettas negatively also.

If you have a heater raising the temp a bit (if there is no fin rot) is a good idea, as a warmer climate is good for their immune systems and can help him be a touch more active. Feeding him live or frozen foods (you can also soak them in garlic) also can be good for their immune systems as its high in protein and fibre.

When you get the water results We will be able to help you more!