HELP WITH MY BETTA FISH! please......i think hes dying!?

Question

I just got my betta it is completely healthy and bright colored. I got a little bowl for it, normal size betta bowl. I put little rocks and a little bit larger colorful rocks in the bowl. There is also a live plant floating on the top of the tank, which is especially for water.
My betta was active yesterday but today, when I changed the water, it started acting weird. I left the water out for about 1 and a half days. But just in case I put a little tiny drop of water dechlorinator, then right away put my fish in.
Now while IM writing all I see is him on the floor of his bowl.
He literally goes pretty much under the bigger sized rocks and kinda digs into them and sits on the bottom. Comes up for air and food, but is on the floor opening and closing his mouth fast. He looks like he has a hard time breathing. Occasionally he goes on top of the floating plant and looks fine but then again digs under the bigger sized rocks.
PLEASEEEE HELP ! im not sure what to do

First of all it is fresh water.
second of all don't answer if you dont know anything about betta.
third of all betta can survive in a bowl.
It is a betta sphere, not like a freakin eating bowl.

IM NOT STUPID PEOPLE.....IM ASKING WHATS WRONG WITH MY BETTA...NOT HOW TO FILL A TANK....why dont you try reading the details?
and answer what im asking?

Answer 1

Don't panic too much! If you go about this right, I'm sure your betta will be just fine.

My guess is that you did something with the water that stressed him out. The dechlorinator is most likely not the culprit here. As long as you don't add too much (and it sounds like you added the right amount), it will not affect your betta.

Most likely, the new water was at a very different temperature than the water he was originally in. Bettas are VERY sensitive to temperature change. If by "normal size betta bowl" you mean 1.5 gal or more, I strongly suggest purchasing a 25-watt heater and thermometer. Bettas are tropical fish - they do best when their tank temp is 78-82 degrees Fahrenheit. Any colder than 70 degrees, and they become lethargic and pale.

Also, transferring a betta into new, clean water can stress it out. If you keep your betta in a cup while cleaning its tank, float the cup in the new water for 15-20 minutes, so it can adjust to the new water. You can then dump the betta out, or, if your tank is rather small, I suggest netting it into the new water. That way, you don't transfer any ammonia from the old water.

One other thing - when you clean your betta's tank, DON'T use soap. Use only hot water. Even if you rinse it out several times, soap can get stuck in microcracks and then add toxic materials to your betta's water.

Good luck with your new friend!

EDIT: I just re-read your question, and realized you had mentioned a plant. If this plant is covering the entire surface of the water, take it out! Bettas are surface breathers - they need space to breathe on the surface.

Answer 2

When you changed the water, was the new water from your parent's house? It's possible that that water had completely different parameters, and even with the conditioner, might not have been good. You also have to make sure that the temperature is around 76-80 F since bettas are tropical fish. And as people have been saying, the bettas will live longer in a larger tank instead of a small bowl.

Answer 3

Go to this link right now.

http://www.bettatalk.com/betta_health.htm

On the left hand side you will see sanitation and diseases. Following the directions there saved my little Kokoro's life. Invest in aquarium salt. It is inexpensive and can kill some of the bacteria that may already be in the Betta's system. It will also relieve any itching he is having. What he may be doing is trying to scratch an itch. The pet store you got him from may be helpful as well.

Lots of the bettas I've met have odd habits. Cindy's would hang at the top of the bowl and on occasion jump out of the water! They are interesting little guys.

Answer 4

U HAVE TO LET THE WATER SETTLE DOWN FOR ATLEAST 2 DAYS. U SHOULD ALSO PUT IN THE DECHLORINATION LIQUID IF U HAVNT ALREADY. AND DONT CHANGE THE WATER TOO FREQUENTLY. O AND DONT FIL YOUR BOWL COMPLETELY LEAVE LIKE A 2 IN. SPACE. YOUR BETA MAY B OUT OF LUCK IF START SEEING WHITE SPOT ON HIS BODY, OR IF HE CONTINUESLLY STAYS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WATER. WELL GOOD LUCK. HOPE HE GETS BETTER (SORRY BOUT THE CAPS)

Answer 5

Well bettas do like to sit at the bottom of thier tank. Mine does. To me he seems to be ok, you said he is eating and coming up for air.

Answer 6

honnestly can be either the bowl is to big. did you know they breathe oxigen like you and me so if it is taking him to long to go up for some air, think about it its getting him exausted so get a smaler bowl or take out some water, some people think tht it is inhumane to have them in this tiny little bowl when really they love it cause they dont have to struggle to catch some fresh air. other than this problem it can only be you had your fish for over 2 years cause life expectensy for a beta is only about 3. i worked at petco trust me im not making this up.

Answer 7

ok ok well although beta's can live in bowls, it is much healthier for them to live in a regular aquarium with a filter AND a heater it can help cuz sometimes when the water is too cold(it may not be for you) it can affect parts of a fishes body so they get weak and can eventually die thats what happened to a fish of mine befor i got the water heater

Answer 8

Change the water again, something may have contaminated it! Also, make sure it is the correct temperature so you don't shock the betta.

Answer 9

Most likely you changed the temp too fast. Did you change water sources? Or it could be ich, or velvet. Certainly he sounds sick or stressed.

http://bettatalk.com/betta_diseases.htm

Answer 10

FIRST OF ALL, you should not be keeping your betta in a bowl. betta can only SURVIVE in bowls rather than live in them. they deserve normal aquariums like any other tropical fish. a good place to live will make your betta grow better.

i dunno wat is wrong with your betta. i think you have to let the fish settle in its "home" before you change its enviornment. see, you just bought him back from the petshop where its in a little plastic container and you put it in its bowl. you have to let it settle in its enviornment before you do any water changes.