20 Gallon Tank My newest betta is acting odd and I'm not sure what to do.

My latest betta, a king plakat lovingly named Big Fish, is currently hanging vertically behind the filter. He only really comes out if I bother him, and only to breathe at the surface then rush down to the bottom to rest. He repeats that at least 2 times before heading back behind the filter.

While he's at the bottom he leans to the side and does NOT respond to much stimulus. No chasing the laser pointer, no interest in a mirror, doesn't notice the other fish much, doesn't even startle if I tap the glass (I know, I know). As of yesterday, he has no appetite (haven't tried since).

On the bright side, his body condition is exquisite, no abnormalities except I've never seen him hold his mouth closed. He is starting to look a little pale today but again, his scales, eyes, and fins look great. He's also not bloated in the slightest.

I know I said he's hanging vertically but he does not swim vertically. I don't see him actively swim in the mid tank very often but he seems to have decently normal swimming. Maybe a wee bit uncoordinated if anything.

I first got him 3 weeks ago. I kept him in a quarantine tank for 2 weeks before transfering him to the 20 gallon where he's been for about a week. He acted normal until yesterday morning.

GENERAL TANK INFORMATION
- 20 gallons
- 80° F
- 0.0 ppm ammonia, 0.0 ppm nitrite, 20 ppm nitrate
- Aqueon HOB filter, fluval heater, 8 hour photo period (low watt)
- 1 king betta
- 4 kuhli loaches
- 5 endlers livebearers
- 2 big anubias plants
- 1 small amazon sword plant
- 2 pothos plants rooted in the filter

I do a 25% water change every two weeks. I'm due for one in a few days.

I give him bug bites betta food (crushed) and bloodworms. I was feeding him every other day, enough to see a slight bulge to his stomach.

The endlers are all male and mind their business, never seen them pick on each other and I spend a lot of time watching them (small appartment). I still thought they might be stressing him out so I put them all in a breeding box for a day with no change in Big Fish.

Also, the tank has been cycled and going strong for 4 years. It even survived moving over an hour away. Had a couple different betta fish occupy it over the years and they all loved it in there. Stable water, lots of plants to hide in, gentle tank mates, and good water flow.


I'm really not sure what to make of all this, ANY advice will be considered. I really want this guy to pull through

 

I think the fact that they are always hanging up at the surface is the main red flag and where you should probably start searching. Like most fish betas need oxygen. I’d start by adding in a bubbler. I don’t really know much about betas or your fish in general, but when fish are stressed you it means they’re not getting what they need to be able to survive in the aquarium

 

I think the fact that they are always hanging up at the surface is the main red flag and where you should probably start searching. Like most fish betas need oxygen. I’d start by adding in a bubbler. I don’t really know much about betas or your fish in general, but when fish are stressed you it means they’re not getting what they need to be able to survive in the aquarium

I don't think oxygen is the issue, he's never gasping or breathing heavy and there good water agitation but I'll add a bubbler anyway, can't hurt!
I can't figure out what is missing from the environment that would be stressing him so bad. Gonna take some water in for a full range test and get some more floating cover (betta log maybe).

 

I don't think oxygen is the issue, he's never gasping or breathing heavy and there good water agitation but I'll add a bubbler anyway, can't hurt!
I can't figure out what is missing from the environment that would be stressing him so bad. Gonna take some water in for a full range test and get some more floating cover (betta log maybe).

Oh don’t put in too much circulation. Make sure the water stays relatively calm. Def do the full range test.

 

Hi,

Sorry your betta is not doing well. King/giant bettas can have digestive issues. It might help if you could add frozen daphnia to his diet. Daphnia will help to keep things flowing well and it can help prevent digestive problems. And I would feed him daily, and only have one fast day a week, in order to keep his immune system going strong. You can feed him small amounts twice a day.

I also see that you are having some issues with algae (hair algae). Bettas like low level light as bright lights will stress them. Maybe you can dim the lights, or turn them off for a while. I don't know what your light schedule is, but keeping the lights on for long periods of time can lead to algae growth. You can also wipe some of that off, unless you like how it looks. Bettas do need a good 14 or more hours with lights out.

I would keep a close eye on him in order to track any type of change to his health or body. And, if you are really concerned, you can do some small frequent water changes to keep the water super clean. I know that plants help with water quality, but it is still best practices to do weekly water changes. I always do 40% to 50% weekly change regardless of water parameters.

Hope this helps! He's a beautiful boy!

 

Hi,

Sorry your betta is not doing well. King/giant bettas can have digestive issues. It might help if you could add frozen daphnia to his diet. Daphnia will help to keep things flowing well and it can help prevent digestive problems. And I would feed him daily, and only have one fast day a week, in order to keep his immune system going strong. You can feed him small amounts twice a day.

I also see that you are having some issues with algae (hair algae). Bettas like low level light as bright lights will stress them. Maybe you can dim the lights, or turn them off for a while. I don't know what your light schedule is, but keeping the lights on for long periods of time can lead to algae growth. You can also wipe some of that off, unless you like how it looks. Bettas do need a good 14 or more hours with lights out.

I would keep a close eye on him in order to track any type of change to his health or body. And, if you are really concerned, you can do some small frequent water changes to keep the water super clean. I know that plants help with water quality, but it is still best practices to do weekly water changes. I always do 40% to 50% weekly change regardless of water parameters.

Hope this helps! He's a beautiful boy!

There’s the expert!

 

There’s the expert!

Thanks for the compliment! I made a lot of mistakes....learned the very hard way...

 

Thanks for the compliment! I made a lot of mistakes....learned the very hard way...

Well, I did too, I’m pretty almost every fish owner does at least.