He sits at the top of the tank and seems to be a dull color? What is wrong and what can I do for him? I have a 2.5 gallon tank with a filter and change a 1/3 of the water weekly. He is also fed Bettamin twice daily.
2007-01-30 07:03:34 · 7 answers · asked by mommyp 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
He may be feeling a little off.
You did not say you had a heater on your tank - one of the most important elements for a betta is heat. In the wild, their water is 80F. Even if your room temp is 80F, the water will be 10F lower than that, and 70F is just too cold for your betta to metabolise properly.
Try moving him closer to a lamp, getting a small heater, and increasing air temp a little bit.
Always fast him for 1 day a week to make sure his intestines stay clear.
To perk him up, put 1 rounded teaspoon of aquarium salt, disolved first in dechlor water, in his tank, and offer him some meaty frozen foods like brine shrimp and bloodworms.
2007-01-30 07:21:53 · answer #1 · answered by Zoe 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I would suggest getting a pH test kit and making sure the water isn't too clean. Fish need balance in the tank and the water you're using may be too hard or too soft and could be the wrong balance for your fish. A filter is great, but sometimes you need to neutralize your water.
A fish sitting at the top usually means he's not getting enough oxygen, except you have a 'running' filter? It also depends how long you had him. Any new fish need to be introduced to a new tank over a couple of hours instead of just 'dumping' it into a tank.
Feeding him 2x a day is excessive, betas usually can skip a day between feedings although once a day is ok. Sometimes too much food can stink up the water if it isn't eaten. Observe what he eats.
Tank placement is also key. If there is constant light, he is probably an insomniac and can't rest, so make sure there's a place for him to 'sleep' at night. His schedule needs to adjust to the rhythms of day and night.
Also have at least one place where your fish can hide. They like their safe place, even betas.
Good Luck. Try these simples areas to start first. If nothing improves, see the fish store assistant.
2007-01-30 15:29:00 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋
Even though I disagree with "ZOE" on a great number of things. I will have to agree ... adding a little salt to the tank "May" perk him up a little.
Instructions say to use 1 tsp per 10 gallons of water, but I usually cut that in half, especially when using for the first time. Freshwater salt will improve gill movement and help with the "Natural" development of the slime coat.
Also, dull color and slower movement may also mean that you have an old or aging Betta.
Good luck.
2007-01-30 15:39:16 · answer #3 · answered by Sinister 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
is he warm enough? bettas like temps in the 70s -- generally the cooler it is the more dormant he will be.
try letting him look at himself in a mirror and flaring. gets the blood going. old school betta people call this "exercise".
bettas like tanks with LOTS of deocroations -- i put a couple medium sized (8 - 10 inches -- the tops of the leaves should come close to the top of hte water) silk plants with large leaves in my 2 1/2 gallons. a real plant or two too -- java moss is great for bettas. it keeps ammonia and nitrites down and oxygnates the water. just think of if you were a fish you would want different places to go. its more fun to swim around stuff and through stuff and hide out behind stuff and under stuff.
2007-01-30 15:25:36 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Water quality and temp don't affect betta fish as much as people think. That's part of how they have evolved to survive in shallow and small quantities of water.
I'd look instead to a swim bladder problem. Does he struggle to swim to the bottom? You're overfeeding him. Food will absorb moisture when eaten by the fish, and can become impacted. This can lead to stress on your fish as he's trying to pass the food through his system. The stress could explain his pale color. Also bettas are a common fish to have swim bladder problems.
Feed him once daily, if that. Not only will it help your fish, but it'll keep his tank looking cleaner.
2007-01-30 16:49:06 · answer #5 · answered by larsor4 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Mine did that before. I simply started changing 1/2 the water every 2 to 3 days and then he started getting better. Make sure you de-chlorinate the water though.
2007-01-31 19:30:43 · answer #6 · answered by CrazyCat49 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
he needs a heater and a constant temp of about 78°F - 80°F
if you can find a 4watt heater (I can't find them anymore) that would be perfect for your size, but this is suitable too.
http://www.pet-dog-cat-supply-store.com/shop/index.php?page=shop/flypage&product_id=12163
2007-01-30 15:25:38 · answer #7 · answered by Kylie Anne 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋