New Betta Lethargic And Not Eating.

HI Everyone,

I have had my new betta (crowntail) for a little less than a week. When I first received him, he wasn't super active, but he would still move around and spread his fins. However, he wasn't really eating. Since I've got him, he may have eaten a total of two pellets. For the past three days though he has become much more lethargic. He mostly just just lays around all day. The only time he moves is when he wants to lie somewhere else. He lays in his fake plant or on the gravel, often on his side. I understand that stressed, so I don't want to disturb the tank too much, but I needed to do a 25-30% change today, because there was old food in the bottom of his tank that needed to be removed. Furthermore he had a little ornament I got a from Amazon, but I noticed that the glue was getting stringy, so I removed that (I'm doubting that's safe?). He didn't seem to mind too much though. I also offed his light today. Idk if this will help at all, but I figured I will try it for a day or so. The first pic is just the tank set up (2.5 gallons, filtered (Azoo mignon filter) and heated). The next two pics are of my betta when he was a little more active. And that last bunch is from today. The pics may be darker because the light is off. Sorry I know the picture quality isn't that great.

Also I am new to the betta world, so I have been reading up a lot, but there is so much to learn. If you guys have any helpful tips, I'd appreciate it. I just want Rupert to be happy.















Thank you for all your help!

 

Hello, welcome to fishlore!

Enclosure
How many gallons is your tank?
Does your tank have a filter?
Does your tank have a heater?
What temperature is the water?

Feeding
What do you feed your betta?
Is your food freeze dried?
How often do you feed your fish?
How much do you feed your fish?

Maintenance
How often do you clean your tank?
How much water do you change?
Do you vacuum the substrate or drain the water?
What kind of water treatment are you using?

Parameters
What are your water parameters?
Ammonia:
Nitrite:
Nitrate:

Appearance
Has your betta's color changed?
Has your betta's behavior changed?
Was the betta sick before purchase?
Has your betta been sick before?

Thanks, after you fill this out, I will get back to you.

 

Hello, welcome to fishlore!

Enclosure
How many gallons is your tank?
Does your tank have a filter?
Does your tank have a heater?
What temperature is the water?

Feeding
What do you feed your betta?
Is your food freeze dried?
How often do you feed your fish?
How much do you feed your fish?

Maintenance
How often do you clean your tank?
How much water do you change?
Do you vacuum the substrate or drain the water?
What kind of water treatment are you using?

Parameters
What are your water parameters?
Ammonia:
Nitrite:
Nitrate:

Appearance
Has your betta's color changed?
Has your betta's behavior changed?
Was the betta sick before purchase?
Has your betta been sick before?

Thanks, after you fill this out, I will get back to you.

Hello!


Enclosure
How many gallons is your tank?
2.5 gallons

Does your tank have a filter?
Yes, Azoo Mignon Filter

Does your tank have a heater?
Yes

What temperature is the water?
80 degrees Fahrenheit

Feeding
What do you feed your betta?
Natgeo Pellets

Is your food freeze dried?
No

How often do you feed your fish?/ How much do you feed your fish?

My intent was to feed him 3-4 pellets daily (skipping one day in the week). But at the moment he's not eating, I try one pellet every other day.

Maintenance
How often do you clean your tank?
Less than a week in, but the plan is weekly

How much water do you change?
23-30%

Do you vacuum the substrate or drain the water?
I vacuum using a siphon

What kind of water treatment are you using?
Aqueon Betta Bowl Plus (Water Conditioner)

Parameters

I am unsure. I am planning on going by next weekend to get a kit, so that I can have a better idea.

Appearance

Has your betta's color changed?
Maybe a little less vibrant, but not much.

Has your betta's behavior changed?
Less active, but he was never super active.

Was the betta sick before purchase?
I don't know

Has your betta been sick before?
It's new, so I'm not sure. Doubt it?


Thank you, hopefully I replied properly. I have a lot to learn still and I am concerned about the water parameters. Where I am from I have access to very clean water (some of the best in North America. Of course those standards are for humans though, so not sure how it relates to fish.) The water is soft. I'm hoping to get a kit as soon as possible, so that I have a better idea of the parameters.

 

I'm looking at picture 6. Is he bloated...really bloated?

 

I'm looking at picture 6. Is he bloated...really bloated?

Ahaha in that picture he looks like that, but no he isn't!

 

I'm looking at picture 6. Is he bloated...really bloated?

Sorry I should probably mention that the last picture is a better representation of his current physique.

Thank you!

 

From what I can see, he looks perfectly fine. In your tank though I would remove any plastic plants because they can rip his fins giving bacteria the chance to attack that open wound and when it does, it's a pain. You should get a silk plant because they are very soft and won't rip his fins. He may just be a picky betta. You should try feeding a variety of foods because eating just one type of food doesn't provide all the nutrients he needs that other foods might have. Bettas love frozen foods such as bloodworms, brineshrimp, or mysis shrimp and those may entice him to eat. You should always soak pellets (or any dried food) before feeding to lower the chances of constipation which leads to a whole slew of other problems. Soaking them in garlic juice will add more flavour to the pellets, attracting him to eat. Then the last thing you could try is live foods. Their movements trigger the betta's natural instinct to hunt and chase them down. You should also change his pellets because the ingredients isn't the best quality. I recommend New Life Spectrum Betta Pellets, Omega One Betta Buffet pellets, or the Fluval Bug Bites Tropical Fish Formula for small to medium fish. These all have high quality ingredients which is healthier for bettas and tastes better. Hopes this helps.

 

From what I can see, he looks perfectly fine. In your tank though I would remove any plastic plants because they can rip his fins giving bacteria the chance to attack that open wound and when it does, it's a pain. You should get a silk plant because they are very soft and won't rip his fins. He may just be a picky betta. You should try feeding a variety of foods because eating just one type of food doesn't provide all the nutrients he needs that other foods might have. Bettas love frozen foods such as bloodworms, brineshrimp, or mysis shrimp and those may entice him to eat. You should always soak pellets (or any dried food) before feeding to lower the chances of constipation which leads to a whole slew of other problems. Soaking them in garlic juice will add more flavour to the pellets, attracting him to eat. Then the last thing you could try is live foods. Their movements trigger the betta's natural instinct to hunt and chase them down. You should also change his pellets because the ingredients isn't the best quality. I recommend New Life Spectrum Betta Pellets, Omega One Betta Buffet pellets, or the Fluval Bug Bites Tropical Fish Formula for small to medium fish. These all have high quality ingredients which is healthier for bettas and tastes better. Hopes this helps.

Thank you I will keep all this in mind and try to make these positive changes!