Okay, here's the deal. Today after I got home from school I usually walk in and yell "Hey Michael!" to my beta. Today he didn't come up to the front of the tank as usual. He was just laying at the bottom. I fed him to see how he would react and he gobbled up the food fast but afterwards went back down. He does come up frequently to go the surface and get some fresh air and then slugs back to the bottom. Yesterday (and today as far as I know) he was fine and was happy go lucky, swimming around, nipping at the algae eater and so on. Now he looks so down and I'm scared for his life. I know that sounds pretty harsh but that's how I feel. Is there anything I can do to bring his spirits up? Medications? Treatments? I do have quite a bit of algae and poopy looking things at the bottom of the tank. Could that be a prob? I never turned on the filter since I got the algae eater b/c he is so small and he would get sucked up in there. Happened before w/ other tiny fish. Help!!!!
2007-02-28 11:22:38 · 5 answers · asked by Shaddup shaddin' up! 3 in Pets ➔ Fish
Last time I changed the water probably was late January-early February. He does he all of his food when I feed hime and if he doesn't it's about one pellet. I haven't tested the water, but I was thinking about doing so. Does PetSmart do it? This morning he seems to be better. what's up?
2007-03-01 02:58:52 · update #1
Well, I had a fish that lived for 3 years. so its not totally me. It all depends on the fish. And I did not clean the tank that frequently. He thrived in the dirt. Why do excess water changes when they are never really gonna get used the environment of it? That just stresses them more. I know about fish care and I don't believe in putting my fish through more changes than it needs.
2007-03-05 05:40:08 · update #2
The quick fix would be to change 50% immediately, then 50% twice weekly until things improve.
Do remove all poop at the base of the tank if you change water, poo in the tank isn't good for the fish as it mess up the water, but the algae at the base is fine.
If the weather is cold and you do not have a heater, do consider getting one, cold weather could cause the Betta to become sluggish as they're warm water fishes.
Lastly if you think that everything is fine and it's just that the betta is begining to get sluggish, it could be due to old age, unless you know how old it is, that could be one possibility.
2007-02-28 20:51:32 · answer #1 · answered by dragonfly_sg 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well I have several questions for you.
When was the last time you changed the water?
When he eats do you make sure that there is no food left un eaten?
Have you tested the water?
That being said without knowing the answers to those questions my solution would be to rearrange the tank, he could just be bored.
Also what is the tempature of the tank? Bettas are more sluggish the colder the water is.
2007-02-28 13:44:45 · answer #2 · answered by Betta Lover 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You might just need to turn the filter on and a trick to keep the small ones from getting sucked up is get some old pantyhose put it over the part that is sucking them up. Just clean the panty hose every 2 weeks or so when you clean the filter.
2007-03-07 08:27:21 · answer #3 · answered by Cori W. 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have to change the water. Once a week. Make sure you dechlorinate and add same temp water and same Ph. You need to get a fishkeeping guide, you have so much to learn, I'm surprized the fish you have are still alive.
2007-03-05 05:20:05 · answer #4 · answered by Sunday P 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Poor fish!
The other answers are very good and you really should be more caring for a live pet.
2007-03-06 16:26:44 · answer #5 · answered by DAGIM 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋