I changed his tank water Wednesday and the next day he was swimming erratic and his fins were leaning to the side. He hasn't touched his food and he either floats to the top or stay s at the bottom. I think the water wasn't good, so I changed it again, this time with purified bottle water and water conditioner. I think I stressed him out though. I've read a few things and it's saying that he just might be stressed or overfed (which I have done), but everytime I go near the bowl he's goes crazy, like he's scared of me. His color is looking not so great either but he doesn't seem to be dying per say. Any suggestions on what to do?
2007-03-30 14:59:22 · 9 answers · asked by Jen 2 in Pets ➔ Fish
Let me say that he is in a 10 gallon tank with a light and the water is fairly warm. Not cold. He has two fake plants and a rock to hide under as well.
2007-03-30 15:14:23 · update #1
It's possible your fish might be in early stages of bloat (dropsy) or a swim bladder problem. Try withholding food for a few days, or feeding a pinch of a cooked pea with the skin removed.
If the problem continues, or you notice the scales starting to stick out from the body, this would indicate dropsy - treatment for this would be an antibiotic.
2007-03-30 15:29:57 · answer #1 · answered by copperhead 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like your betta is severely stressed. How big is the tank he is in? If possible add places he can hide, some bettas are very shy and need to be able to withdraw.
Another possible issue is the water may be too cold. If your bettas tank is less than 70 there could be problems like that.
Hope this helps.
2007-03-30 15:08:55 · answer #2 · answered by Palor 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you're not supposed to change the water entirely... the rule is to leave 1/8 of the old water in there.
you're basically throwing him into a new environment instantly and that stresses out fish easily
2007-03-30 16:31:10 · answer #3 · answered by Cow 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When I had that happen to my fish I always used the stress coat stuff. It might be too late for your fish, but it wouldn't hurt to pick some up and use it when you change the water. Good luck.
2007-03-30 15:10:55 · answer #4 · answered by Mr. X 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like to me that he is just getting used to his new environment. Try to stay back from his tank, move slowly around the tank and basically give him a clam, peacefull place for a few days. He should settle in.
MM
2007-03-30 15:19:51 · answer #5 · answered by magicman116 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
they are tough fish, i had one that jumped out of the bowl and was stuck to the bottom of a trash can, i peeled him up and he flopped and i threw him back in the bowl and all his fins fell off and grew back later, but i only fed every other day! overfeeding kill alot of betta's
2007-03-30 15:11:45 · answer #6 · answered by alison 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
are you making sure the bowl has all the soap washed out, and that the water is the same tempature as his bowl he was in, becuase drastic tempature changes can cause major harm to fish.
2007-03-30 15:07:51 · answer #7 · answered by Shelby 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This may sound crazy, but I read in Readers Digest that boiled peas can help cure sick fish. The fish in question was a goldfish, so PLEASE look it up before you try it, but it should probably work for bettas too
2007-03-30 15:04:51 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
its totally normal. my 2 bettas swim around crazy all the time. and sometimes they're not hungry when i give them food so they save it for when they are hungry
2007-03-30 15:11:52 · answer #9 · answered by Jacod Vs Edward?...Edward Wins! 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋