Lethargic Betta

[MikeyDoodle]

Mamajin, I will have it fixed ASAP and will get a filter and probably a heater for the betta

Edmund, I will definetly make room for the 25 and hope I get it for Christmas!

Mikey, I am going to get some spring water with no chlorine but still minerals soon

Any particular reason for the spring water rather than dechlorinated tap water? As jileha said, unless it is extreme you would probably be better just to use that. As long as you are conditioning it every time you add it, it would also work out much cheaper for you.

There's definitely good cause for you to be using seachem prime here, too, as your conditioner. Although it can be pricier than other conditioners, it is super concentrated, so lasts virtually forever (especially in that size of a bowl) and it would keep the water safer with no filter. You may be aware that Prime detoxifies ammonia for around 24 hours, so if you're changing your water daily then you are keeping the levels safe, and protecting your betta from ammonia poisoning.

Mikey

 

[GuineaPigster]

I have no idea but I think it's less than one. i'm ashamed
Don't be! My goldfish are still in the 29 until christmas. We have all learned a lot.
But I appreciate your willing attitude to work with us on his care!
I'm still not old enough to get my own house but Mom said if I can make enough room for a 25 in my room she'll consider one. I will get a few live plants

Vallineria, duckweed, and java fern might make good plants for a bowl.

i'll have to check the temperature when I can but i'm on vacation right now. I don't think the water is toxic because I use distilled water to fill the empty part of the bowl. I will put in water conditioner as soon as I get home.

Distilled water is actually not recommended. Instead, take some water from your sink and at a couple drips of Prime.

 

[5thgradeguppyraiser]

I will try to get Prime today but I might have to wait until Monday. I'll get a java fern while I'm at it!

 

[jileha]

Slowly growing plants such as java fern will not help too much with the water quality. You should be able to find anacharis. This plant grows pretty fast and is one of the few plants that actually reduce ammonia. In your situation, that might be a better choice.

Don't throw it out if the leaves seem to melt. Plants need to get used to a new environment and will often grow back.

 

[GuineaPigster]

Thanks! I forgot duckweed.

 

[Mamajin]

I will try to get Prime today but I might have to wait until Monday. I'll get a java fern while I'm at it!

I wouldn't recommend any plants right now. They'll need to be quarantined for a few weeks before adding them to the tank. While plants, shrimp, and snails cannot get infected with nasty things like ICH, they can be carriers and infect your entire tank. I think you should wait until you get the issues with the tank resolved and then we can help you explore plants for your tank.

 

[5thgradeguppyraiser]

good idea because I already have an umbrella plant, wisteria, and a java fern in my filtered 5g

 

[Edmund]

I think no new plants ought to do fine, then.
If you get a chance to test your tapwater's quality come Monday, that would be good for you to know too! And us too, I guess. I'm curious now. XD

 

[Faber1790]

I bought my new male halfmoon betta six days ago. He was doing fantastic until Monday evening when I came home to him lying on his side on the bottom of the tank. He immediately got up and swam away so I wasn't too worried. I know sometimes bettas do weird things. He continued to eat normally and be fairly active just taking breaks laying on the bottom. However, today he did not swim up from the bottom to eat. I tried an hour later and he swam up, ate two pieces and swam back down. I was at work most of the day and when I got home he was still laying on the bottom. This time he refused to swim up. I checked my water params and they were 0 ppm ammonia, 0 ppm nitrite, 5 ppm nitrate and 7.4 pH. I did a water change and dosed with prime just in case and because a water change usually can't hurt. He is still laying on the floor. He has no symptoms of illness (poops are good, no bumps, lumps, or labored breathing etc.) other than the laying on the bottom. Any ideas/ advice?

 

[atb224155]

I noticed that with mine before I got Michonne. Do you have plants in your tank?

 

[Faber1790]

Only silk plants

 

[April R]

he could be bored. Try holding up a mirror to his tank and see if he perks up

 

[fishnewbie33]

What is the tank temp? It should be 78-80.

You might also try fasting 1 day/week and feeding a pea, in case he's a little constipated.

 

[_Fried_Bettas_]

Other than being sick, some bettas will do this if there is too much current, they will find a place in the tank to avoid it and just sit. To some bettas this is any current at all.

Beyond that, I recommend treating him like he is constipated/bloated even if he isn't showing any other signs since this is so common a problem. Fast him for a few days only offering him a bit a skinned pea. Meanwhile keep an eye out for any signs that it is a more serious illness.

 

[Faber1790]

Thanks for the advice guys! I don't know why I didn't think of bloat. I starve my fish once or twice a week a feed a small amount of skinned pea once a week. I will starve him for a day or two and then feed him some pea. I will also try and do something about the current. There's a lot of plants to cut it down but I'll try baffling it and see if it helps. I'll keep you guys posted on his condition.
P. S. The tank is at 81. I've found bettas prefer water on the warmer side. I've been told it can reduce their life span, but considering my last one lived to be almost 6 and her tank was at 84 for several years thanks to a preset heater, I think he'll be fine at 81

 

[Faber1790]

I unplugged the filter until I can make a baffle. One betta in 10 gallon aquarium can't produce too much ammonia in a couple of hours. So far he's not doing much better. He sprinted around the tank like a maniac for a few minutes and went back to laying on the bottom. I did see that he has some finrot though. It has devolped in the last 24 hours as it wasn't there the last time I saw him swim, which was yesterday morning. It's not too bad, and my water chemistry is perfect so I'm not quite sure how he got it. I'm going to make a baffle for the filter and get it turned back on. I ordered so fish protector and vitachem and thanks to Amazon prime they will be here Saturday. Until then, I am going to do a 30% water change twice a day and dose with stresscoat. I've found it works better than prime for sick fishies as long as your water chemistry is good. Anything I'm missing?

 

[swenster]

Hi,

I've noticed my betta hanging out at the bottom of his tank recently. He's not quite his normal self. I tested the water, and everything looks good. He has no signs of any of the fish sicknesses described. I cannot see anything unusual about the way he looks. Also, he's still eating. The only thing I can think is that maybe he's constipated. If he is sick with something else, he's not exhibiting any symptoms on his body, eyes, or fins.

Any advice?

Thank you

 

[BornThisWayBettas]

What did you use to test with? Also, what is the temp of the tank and how old is he?

 

[swenster]

I've had him for about 5 months. Temperature of tank is 80. Tested water parameters with API Master test kit. The water has not changed, and the temperature has been the same since the tank has been set up. He's in a 5 gallon tank.

 

[Aquaphobia]

What are the parameters exactly? And double check those nitrates. Really bash that bottle #2 to be sure of an accurate reading.

 

[swenster]

Ammonia zero
Nitrite zero
Nitrates around 20-30 (same levels as normal)...

I'm going to try to attach pics







He will come over and greet and swim when I come to the tank., but otherwise, he's hovering at the bottom. Could this be a stomach issue? Constipation?

 

[Aquaphobia]

He doesn't look bad, his fins aren't clamped and he's clearly taking an interest in what you're doing. Are lighting schedules the same? Have you added or removed anything? Any changes around him?

 

[swenster]

Nothing has changed at all. But he's not his perky self. He's at the bottom, when normally he swims around during the day. It's enough of a change that I'm concerned. I just don't know what could be wrong.

 

[Aquaphobia]

Maybe just try fasting him for a day or two to see if maybe tummy upset is the issue? If he perks up at the next feeding then maybe that's all it is. I know your worry though. It's never nice to see our pets upset and not be able to help.

 

[BornThisWayBettas]

How long has this been going on, exactly?

 

[swenster]

I've probably noticed the change within the past 3-5 days.

I'll try fasting. I think I also read something about giving a pea for constipation?

 

[BornThisWayBettas]

Have you seen him pooping within that time?

 

[swenster]

He seems to just want to lie around. His swimming seems slightly not fluid. Like maybe something is twisted up in his abdomen.

I brought my son's school betta home for the weekend, and the difference between the 2 fish is noticeable. The school betta is happily swimming here and there, and my betta is just resting, until I come over to look.

http://velvetdragon.com/bettas/sbd.html

maybe this.....

 

[Aquaphobia]

I think your idea to fast him and try peas is the best to start with. What's the temperature of the water?

 

[swenster]

Water temp is 80.

I never see him poop. I just don't see it happen....

 

[BornThisWayBettas]

Like Aqua said, I'd fast him.

 

[swenster]

Okay, I'm going to fast him. Thx everyone.

 

[Aquaphobia]

Water temp is 80.

I never see him poop. I just don't see it happen....

That's ok, I seldom see my bettas pooping, even when they're feeling fine

 

[swenster]

Aquaphobia, I've not seen it happen EVER.

 

[fishguy122]

This is just a hit in the dark but could it be pH related? Tbh it sounds like a stomach thing but you never know

 

[swenster]

I did a partial water change. He's still the same.... hoping he feels better soon. He's definitely not his normal self.

 

[Aquaphobia]

Aquaphobia, I've not seen it happen EVER.

The more bettas you have, the better your chances of seeing them poop

 

[swenster]

Update: He's still the same. We're almost to day 3 of fasting. After day 3, I"m going t try a blanched pea.

He'll move around when I come over to the tank. But mostly he lies at the bottom, or hangs out on leaves. His side seems kinked a little (if I'm not imagining this), as if he can't undulate like he normally does. I emptied some of the water from the tank to make it easier for him to get to the surface....

I'm still hoping he makes a recovery. I see no external signs of anything wrong....

 

[Aquaphobia]

Hm, that sounds suspiciously like symptoms of nitrate poisoning.

 

[swenster]

I just tested water again today, and was good.

Ammonia 0
Nitrites 0
Nitrates between 10-20

Mmmmm.

 

[Aquaphobia]

How old is your nitrate test?

I dunno. My next step would be to do a massive water change, or maybe 2 changes back to back and see if he perks up at all.

 

[swenster]

Thanks aquaphobia. I got this API master test probably this past June.

I did a smallish water change yesterday, and a smallish one today. Has not made a difference.

Maybe he's constipated? I'm really hoping that is what it is.....I feel so helpless....

 

[Aquaphobia]

Aren't Epsom salts supposed to be helpful in these cases? I don't know, I just seem to recall reading that...

 

[swenster]

I just tried an Epsom salt bath. A 15 minute soak. He looks just as pathetic as before.., and of course I'm afraid of stressing him more. But I looked up Epsom baths (bc I don't want to add it to the aquarium, that says it requires daily water changes)., and the suggestion is to soak your betta 10-15 minutes in Epsom. (per dose suggested)

 

[Aquaphobia]

What concentration did you use? Were the bath and the tank the same temperature?

 

[swenster]

Yes, I matched temps. Also, the concentration was 1 tsp per gallon, I believe in the article I read.

 

[swenster]

I'm not even sure if it is a swim bladder issue. He can swim if he wants to., although he doesn't look 100 percent fluid (and maybe bc he doesn't feel well). He prefers to hang at bottom, and he doesn't look good. I'm so stressed!

 

[Aquaphobia]

Hmm, I read 1 tablespoon per gallon.


*and are you sure you used Epsom salts and not aquarium salt?

 

[swenster]

Yes, Epsom. Yes, you are right. This article is 1 TBS per gallon for a epsom soak, or 1 TSP to add per gallon directly to aquarium.





Here's how he looks today.

 

[swenster]

Update: This morning I gave him part of a pea, and he ate it. He's lying at the bottom pretty much 24/7. I know he's sick, but I don't know how to treat him. He can swim, (I really don't see any signs of bloat, or SBD, but I can't be sure). I've read every description of betta diseases, and can see no signs. Does anyone have advice on treating a sick betta general treatment I can try (add to the water)? Main symptoms: Lethargy, lying on bottom, fins clamped.