I have a beta and every time he eats, he floats on his side at the top of the tank for a few hours. If I move him he swims, but the rest of the time he just lies there. The first time he did this, I prepared the children to flush him, but he was fine by morning, now its the family joke, its no longer feeding time, its floating time.
2006-12-05 08:08:18 · 16 answers · asked by Terry M 3 in Pets ➔ Fish
Sounds rather like swim bladder. Anyway, it's not joke. Your betta is not doing that for fun, he's doing it because something is wrong. Shame on you for showing your children that fish aren't real pets, that they are just expendable decorations. Sorry - the 'they are fish attitude' is one of my hot buttons, shall we say?
Anyhoo, as I said, it sounds like something is wrong with his swim bladder, causing him to be unable to control his swimming / orientation.
What do you keep him in? When you say tank, how many gallons? Do you have a real filter and heater, or is it more of a bowl / small container?
If he is in a real cycled tank, over 5 gallons with a real filter and heater, and you do regular weekly water changes of 20-30%, then he may be getting old. How old is he? Normal lifespan in captivity for a decently cared for betta is about 3 years.
If he is in a bowl with no heater, he is probably sick. That is the problem with keeping bettas in little container - firstly, the ammonia accumulates and cannot be broken down into less toxic nitrates because you cannot cycle a container that small. Ammonia is very toxic and after a day or two without a water change, the ammonia will start to burn and poison your fish.
Also, in the wild, betta fish live in waters of 79-80F. Without a heater, most likely your water is closer to 65-70F. A betta can survive in such temperatures, but not for long; eventually, their weakened immune system will succomb to some disease or other.
If you are keeping him in a real, clean, cycled tank - are you using dechlorinator? Anyway, try doing a large (50%) water change and adding some salt (aquarium salt, 1tsp per 3 gallons) and some Betta Fix.
If you are using a small container, the best thing you could do for him would be to put him in a real tank (you can get full kits with filters and heaters, used, in your local classifieds - very inexpensive). Be sure to cycle it first!!
Failing that, increase the frequency of water changes. Replace 50-70% of his water every day, and completely rines out his bowl every week. Try moving the bowl closer or a lamp, or to a warmer room, to increase the water temperatures.
Good luck with your little guy! That he is eating is a good sign; bettas are tough - but he won't hold out for too long with that serious a problem, so please take it seriously.
2006-12-05 08:19:53 · answer #1 · answered by Zoe 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's most definitely swim bladder, which probably means your feeding him too much. Cut down to feeding him once a day, and only what he will eat in two minutes, then take your fish net and scoop the rest of the food out of the tank. I know it's a pain in the butt, but it'll make him healthy again.
"As far as treatment goes, a week is plenty of time to fast him and I would recommend feeding the green pea. Always insure the pea is completely thawed out and it's shell removed. From my past experience I know it can be tricky to get a Swimbladder betta well. But it takes patience and special care. Insure his water is warm to maintain good metabolism--78-82 is best. And, very importantly, insure his water is as clean as possible. This means don't ever allow ammonia, or nitrite to be measurable in his enviroment. These chemicals can easily be measured with aquarium test kits available online or at your local petshop."
2006-12-05 08:17:45 · answer #2 · answered by Brian C 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
WOW! Someone else in the world with a fish like my daughters! LOL Our beta fish Joseph does the same thing!!! We have had people come over ans say various times, "The fish is dead". Then my daughter will go hit the bowl and say, "No he's not, he does that all the time!" It is 2 funny! LOL
The fish watches tv too and he will sit at the bottom of the bowl just as still like a statue. I tell everyone the fish is a genius!
2006-12-05 08:35:27 · answer #3 · answered by Lady Albritton 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is called dropsy you can go to any store that sells any fish product and look for a med. that treats dropsy.Bettas are raised in rice pattys so they do not really swim.They also can not live with a filter it can kill them.they are best in a bowl with no moving water.Just change the water 2 a week and it should live about four years.I bread bettas for a living.any ?'s feel free to email me
2006-12-05 12:08:38 · answer #4 · answered by strawberry31103 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
gas lodged in the swim bladder.if your local fish store is any good they will have an older aquarist(probably the store owner) that can use a sringe to remove the air. very delicate
2006-12-05 08:28:38 · answer #5 · answered by rhonda c 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Something is affecting it's swim bladder. Are you feeding it too much at a time?
2006-12-05 08:12:12 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
try feeding him very little at a time . Like one piece at a time . You might find a vet that could help you .
2006-12-05 09:54:29 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
maybe your little guy is eating to much? how many pellets do u feed him/her? im not sure if they can get swim bladder problems like a goldfish. have you contacted a pet store? good luck! ..julie
2006-12-05 08:27:32 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
floating time has past now its flushing time
2006-12-05 10:19:57 · answer #9 · answered by great white fisherman 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it the time he is sleeping
2006-12-05 08:11:26 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋