My betta fish has been so healthy for the last 7 months. I cleaned his bowl yesterday and nuteralized the water as always and now he won't leave the bottom of his bowl . His fins are limp. I have had a mirror next to his home for months and he loves it. He can't seem to get enough of himself. Do you think he is sick or depressed. I lost my last betta to a tumor and just don't want to lose this one.
2006-07-21 15:58:57 · 19 answers · asked by Lipstick 6 in Pets ➔ Fish
He isn't interested in his mirror now.
2006-07-21 15:59:40 · update #1
the mirror's probably not the best thing for a FIGHTING fish, but your answer may be in your water--how much of the bowl did you clean? usually you don't want to clean more than 50% of the water, because there's often good bacteria in it that will help the fish.
there are two things you can do to help your beta here:
1. salt the fishtank. i know this seems strange for a freshwater fish, but put 1tsp per ever galon, and if you're not sure, guess under. basically--how many milk cartons would it take to fill up your bowl? if you have a really small one, just put a couple of pinches in. anyway, the salt will calm down the beta, and also get rid of the natural slime coating he has on his scales.
2. the slime coating makes him more responcive to meds. you can go down to your local pet store (i'm not reccommending petco or pet supplies plus--go to a family owned one / specialty one, where they know what they're selling), and you should be able to find an all-in-one medicine. it treats the most common types of fish desease (scale rot, ick, etc), and should be able to help your beta.
good luck dear!
2006-07-22 02:45:29 · answer #1 · answered by amaranth628! 2 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Take the mirror away. Maybe you should add some more colors to the fish bowl, some fake plants, a castle, if you haven't already that is. Once in my science class we took care of gold fish, around 6 died because there was nothing interesting in the bowl. After that we didn't lose any, except for one do to Ick. But I'm getting beside the point. Design your fish bowl a bit more, see what happens. Good luck :)
2006-07-21 23:04:12 · answer #2 · answered by ChaiTea 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually having a mirror there can cause hostility. Betta fish, are also known as "Fighting fish", they are naturally inclined to kill any other betta, that is why you can't have to in the same bowl. One way to know if he is healthy or not is to look at his fins, if they are daggled, and limp..he maybe having health problems. Try moving him infront of a window, give him some extra food, and def. move the mirror
2006-07-21 23:04:14 · answer #3 · answered by PeachyFixation 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A mirror is okay, but not for more than a 1/2-1 hours. It sounds more likely he stressed from the water change. Did you make sure that the temp of the new water matched the old? Or did you use water from a different source?
As far as illness check out bettatalk for info on betta health.
2006-07-21 23:21:30 · answer #4 · answered by Sabersquirrel 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, he may just be getting old. Bettas rarely live for more than two years, and a lot of that time can be on a shelf.
Some bettas just get like that, and never get back, I'm not sure why. I think the owners tap the glass every time they feed them, and the bettas figure there's nothing but food to get excited about. I never tap my glass, and my bettas always go nuts when they see me. They're like "Hey! Come here and feed me!"
You might try giving him a bigger place to live in. Bettas do like to explore.
2006-07-21 23:44:06 · answer #5 · answered by ye_river_xiv 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Actually the mirror should not be there all the time, it's simply there for exercise. He may simply be tired...giving up the fight with the "intruder" for his space.
Take the mirror away. You should only let him see the mirror for about 10 mins a day, if that long.
2006-07-21 23:16:47 · answer #6 · answered by Venus__27 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have had 2 beta fishes. One lasted 4 years and the other one just died the past week, and he lasted 5 years. Before they died, they both started acting like yours, they wouldn't go out the bottom of their bowl.... I'm sorry, but u should buy another one before this one dies, that way you'll have a consolation.
2006-07-21 23:04:51 · answer #7 · answered by Dan 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yea probly dying, sometimes when u change the water it takes a few weeks to get the eco system back to the fishes liking, and theirs nothing u can do about that, try only changing half the water at a time
2006-07-21 23:02:42 · answer #8 · answered by shady_lmtd12 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
some pet stores will test water for free. just take a bit in a clean pill bottle and ask them to test it. there's also betta drops that can be used to help them along.
2006-07-21 23:05:03 · answer #9 · answered by Duckie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well they arent that exciting, their rather calm, and after seeing a mirror for so long hel get bored, go buy another one and put their tanks next to each other. that should cheer him up. but all they really do is sit there wen they cant fight or anything.
2006-07-21 23:03:44 · answer #10 · answered by chevyman502 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋