I just moved my Betta from a quarter gallong tank to half gallon tank. Why is he so depressed? He doesn't move around anymore and just lays on the bottom of the tank except when I clean his tank. So why is he so depressed? I put him in a bigger tank.
2006-12-09 18:34:01 · 7 answers · asked by Carlito 2 in Pets ➔ Fish
good job on moving him to a bigger tank, although that is still WAY too small for him. the ideal tank for a betta is a 5gallon tank with a filter and heater. it's not recommended that you keep bettas in under a gallon. it's really not healthy, ammonia builds up and causes them to get sick. if you have the money and space i highly advise you buy a cheap 5 gallon tank, filter and heater. it really won't take up that much more space and if you shop right it won't cost much more than $20. you betta will be much healthier and happier. in the wild they have a whole territory to themselves, and it's a whole ecosystem, a tiny bowl is just that, and levels will build and he'll get stressed and sick, and he's cramped up, will will stress him and he'll get sick.
since you don't say that there are any other symptoms I'm just going to say you should check out this site if you notice any other symptoms http://bettatalk.com/betta_diseases.htm
good luck
2006-12-09 21:40:28 · answer #1 · answered by Kylie Anne 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with Kylie Anne that Betta need to have a minimum of 5 gallons to swim in. That's the size tank I had my Miikun in. As for him laying on the bottom, did you treat the new water he was put into? Remove all the chlorine and chloromines? Was the water the same temperature as his previous tank? Does it have the same PH? Is it cycled (meaning it has had time to grow good nitrifying bacteria to help break down fish waste and food)? Bettas, and fish in general are very sensitive to water changes, as Faith said on www.BettaTalk.com, to us, all water may LOOK the same but it's not. An example is drinking from the tap or drinking from the toilet. You can then understand how water quality makes a big difference. If you just put the betta into new water that was not of the same quality of his previous water, he may have gone into shock and that is why he's on the bottom. Stress lower fish's immune systems and are the #1 causes of fish diseases and death, so now that you know, always acclimate your bettas to new water slowly or make sure the water is 100% same quality.
2006-12-09 22:05:41 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The adjustment of tanks might not mean a thing. Instead, he might be sick. If he hangs out in the corners a lot and doesn't eat like a pig, I recommend Bettafix Remedy. For your half gallon tank, use 24 drops.
2006-12-09 20:18:56 · answer #3 · answered by yami_mani 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Beta fish dont like big spaces. They prefer to be in a small zone because they get confused easily and many times think they are lost. If you had him in the quarter tank for along time he might have gotten adjusted to it, and if u didnt then he might just need some time to get used to it. Id try putting in a de-stresser tablet. You can buy it at any pet store, or even walmart.
2006-12-09 18:43:43 · answer #4 · answered by Sarie S 1 · 0⤊ 4⤋
Check with a vet or pet store expert because Betas are normally not kept in alot of water, when you change the water make sure it is room temperature and has the correct amount of chlorine in it. Sometimes sudden water changes can cause them to go into shock.
2006-12-09 18:44:12 · answer #5 · answered by stuffed 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Did you remember to dechlorinate the water?
He may be adjusting to the different environment, but he could also be sick.
2006-12-09 18:40:16 · answer #6 · answered by drshorty 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
keep the water above 76°F
2006-12-09 18:54:16 · answer #7 · answered by professorminh 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋