Is my Betta dying?

Question

Hi,

Ok I recently started to have fish, and I love bettas! I have a blue male here in a small tank with a filter and bubbles...At first he seemed perfect and loved his bubbles! Now, recently, he's been sleeping at the bottom on the gravel, BEHIND the filter...He was always on the gravel facing down...So I cleaned his tank, put the water a little warmer for him...but I just found him behind the filter again! What is he doing? Is that normal?

I have another red male betta in a small pot...I just switched them...Now the blue one is swimming and seems fine...But I'm worried he's dying anyway...

Is it normal that they sleep on the gravel OR stay at the very top of the water? My previous bettas did not live very long, so I'd like to keep these guys healthy!

Answer 1

well first I'd recommend gettig rid of the bubbles, it just creates extra current which male bettas don't like because their long fins make it hard to swim in strong currents. replace the BUBBLES (sorry, I had said filter, but it was a typo, replace the bubbles) with a heater to provide the right temp, around 75-82F. keep BOTH of them in filtered heated tanks and keep the smaller thing as a "hospital."

if you tank is big enough you can get a divider and keep them both in he tank, they just need aobut 2 gallons to themselves, so a 4 or 5 gallon tank is great for two males.

if you're really into bettas I would suggest getting a 10-15gallon tank and buying 5 6 dividers to house multiple bettas. I have 5 males and plan on getting a 20gallon soon so I can house a bunch (I have a problem with seeing thme at the store and having to get at least one, so that way I'll have room for lots).

as far as your betta's health is concerned, my guess is just water temp or depression. slowly get the temp up to a proper temp if that doesn't work make sure he has things to keep himself busy, plants (live or silk only) to hide in and try putting the other male by him for a while or forever if they both have plants to hide in. the stimulation of flaring is actually good from them. you can also try putting a marble in with them, or a thawed frozen pea that's been soaked in water and skinned. they usually play with them, the pea is just an edible version of the marble. if you have a good filter, you can add a mystery snail as a tankmate, my females love to follow the snail in with them.

however, keep a close eye on him for any other symptoms, like bloating, protruding scales, fuzzy patches, wqhite speckles... ect.

feel free to email me with any questions, I'd be glad to help in every way I can.

Answer 2

we have one that has lived 5 years in a large brandy sniffter. it is important to feed them properly and keep their tank clean. give it an ornament or plant to hide behind maybe that will help

Answer 3

i had a betta that was on the top all the time and he died but my other betta is always on the bottom and he's still alive.the only time hes on the top is when he gets fed.for more tips email me at [e-mail]. : )

Answer 4

i definately wouldent worry about it...i had a betta that lived about 5 months (not a bad life span for them) and sometimes they just dont seem to move much. the only time u need to worry about them is if there back is facing the ground =-D

Answer 5

betta's are strange. They get comfy in VERY WEIRD WAYS!!!! don't worry, it sounds like you just got a looney fish, but not a sickly one.

Answer 6

your beta is okey it is just shy or something wait a week or so and see what happens oh and try to move it out from behind the filter maybe it got into there and got stuk