i just got fish about a week ago and everything was fine , he is in a med fish bowl, no filter w/ stones. the past couple of days he looks like hes playing dead, i changed his water, it didnt help hes upside down floating on the top, sometimes he does the same thing on the bottom. once in a while you catch him swimming like normal, but for the most part hes playing dead. please help!!
2006-12-01 11:13:56 · 7 answers · asked by lynnwall2002 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
Most likely this is a swim bladder disorder brought on by poor water conditions, and/or over feeding. See links for more info on betta care.
2006-12-01 12:29:15 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Fish Playing Dead
2017-01-09 12:24:24 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, fish don't play dead, nor do they do it to 'get attention' - fish just aren't that smart, sorry.
Your fish is sick.
Do you use dechlorinator when you change the water?
How often do you clean the water?
Sounds like swim bladder to me, also. Unfortunately this is difficult to treat, most fish will die as a result.
This is the unfortunate problem with keeping betta fish in bowls. Bowls are dirty, terrible environments for betta fish (or any fish, for that matter). It is a horrible myth that they can live in a fish bowl. They can survive in a bowl in the same way that you can survive in a small, cold closet with no toilet.
Fish need aquariums, that are cycled, and that have filters and heaters. Please read up on proper betta care. Putting him into a proper, cycled, heated tank (5 gallons or more) is the best thing for him.
Good luck with your fishy.
2006-12-01 11:24:37 · answer #3 · answered by Zoe 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
OH...MY...GOSH! I never knew anyone else's fish did this! Since I have horrid luck with fish it always freaks me out. I've had 2 betas; Sardonicus, Pika, and Shakespeare. EACH one has played dead at some time or another. I added cool marbles, a castle, and some safe plants, but they still do it. I think they spend that time sleeping. My fish used it as a way to get my attention (blieve it or not) and that's when I put a couple pellets of food in there (I guess I was actually rewarding bad behaviour!). Anyway, they're fine. It does scare you a lot though, doesn't it? :) Hope that helps!
2006-12-01 11:18:14 · answer #4 · answered by Sirius's Mommy 3 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Yep def swim bladder problem....you should act fast and try to treat the problem before it gets worse...Get some med from the petstore.
2006-12-01 11:55:29 · answer #5 · answered by neverendingstars 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
he's not playing dead. i believe he has a swim bladder problem. have you even researched before you got the fish? take him to the vet the vet has a simple medicine which will cure your fish.
2006-12-01 11:17:52 · answer #6 · answered by Peaches 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It not playing dead it's sleeping... I had 1 and it made a bed in a plant leaf... It was so cute... But let him sleep... The shock of waking them up kills them...
2006-12-01 16:14:59 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋