I know that one person has a question like this, but heck, I might get different answers. Im not a complete newbie at bettas, my blue betta bowman is probablly almost a year old. He's not the most active betta anyhow, but recently he's been off his food. He's starting to swim a bit more, but the food from last night hasn't been touched. I feed him once a day 5-6 pellets. His water is warm and cleaned once a week. He's in a one gallon bowl (it's ok, he can't jumped out) that he was recently moved to. Any ideas as to what might be hapenning? It's not swim-bladder and he doesnt look sick so... I dunno, please help me!
2007-02-01 07:47:06 · 8 answers · asked by Jess T 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
Well 1st you are over feeding him. No more than the size of his eye ball per day. That's like 2-3 pellets. Also in 1 gallon you might want to clean his tank more often.
As far as not eating he is likely stressed from the move. Give him a couple more days just don't let the food rot in his tank. A few days of not eating will do him good as you've been over feeding him.
2007-02-01 11:50:08 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wonder how long he has been in his new bowl? 1 gallon is enough for a betta for sure, but be sure to change at least 1/2 the water every 2-3 days, you won't remove the benifical bacteria, very little will every be in a small bowl arrangement anyway no matter what.
Here are some thoughts for you, some may be duh... I know, but some may not too .. and some may help other people that read this.
First, it really does sound like cool water to me. Make sure the water is up to 76-86.
Cut back on the food just a bit. Like 4-5 pellets a day and if he doesn't eat them in 5 minutes or so get them out of the bowl so they don't foul the water.
Be sure he has light during the day but darkness at night. 24 hour lighting ( even a small light across the room) can cause this. Almost like you going all night without sleep, you would feel pretty lousy too.
Be sure his bowl is sitting on a dark surface. Most fish feel better over a dark surface than a light one.
Other than that, watch him closely for signs of disease of parasites. That's kind of a long shot, but it's always possible.
Odds are very good if each of these things are taken care of he will be acting fine in a day or two.
2007-02-01 08:39:16 · answer #2 · answered by magicman116 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
My guess is that your betta is probably just exhausted and weakened by having to live in a bowl without heat or filtration. A year is a long time to have to live like that.
Without heat in such a small amount of water, he is constantly subject to temperature swings which are stressful and hard on his health. Also, the ideal temperature for betta fish is a lot warmer than the room temperature in your house. He would feel most active and healthy in temperatures around 80F, so he's been living in a constant chill.
Without filtration in such a confined space, even with weekly cleanings, he is swimming in constant buildups of ammonia which is known without dispute to burn fish's gills and do internal organ damage. Imagine constant burning pain in your lungs and on your skin with only a slight relief every week when the water is changed, only to have it build right back up again. In order to keep him from that kind of torture, you'd have to be changing that water every other day at least.
If you can, please buy him a tank, however small you have to, with a proper filter and heater.
2007-02-01 19:19:59 · answer #3 · answered by ceci9293 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My betta did the same thing, but when I first got him. At first I was worried, and he didn't eat for like, 3 days! But eventually he got hungry and finally started eating again. It might be the change of surroundings. And I've found that mine doesn't have a consistent eating pattern. I never feed him more than about 6 pellets, but sometimes he only eats 4 and spits any others out!
2007-02-01 07:52:49 · answer #4 · answered by heatre24 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Its winter, water might be colder that will reduce the fish metabolism. Try keeping a night lamp near the tank for little warmer temperature, also change the food type to a raw mosquito larva or some blood worms for a while. It will help the fish get more active in metabolism.
2007-02-01 07:56:41 · answer #5 · answered by Jeyan J 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You shouldn't feed ur Betta too much, i do 2-3 pellets every day. Maybe, you should try to get some aqurium plants, so he's life won;t be that boring!
2007-02-01 08:55:02 · answer #6 · answered by Sliver W 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Might be the new water. This happens to bettas. Try not to change the water so much. You might be removing good bacteria. Try changing the water every 15 days
2007-02-01 07:58:24 · answer #7 · answered by lilgman424 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
redecorate -- buy him a new plant that reaches the top of the water or a cave or something. i am not crazy i swear.
2007-02-01 10:39:11 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋