Swims low and remains at bottom most of the day,eats little, looks depressed, no physical symtoms-Floats up and lets its body fall down and lays sideways sometimes at the bottom. Ocassionaly spazes out. But no popeye or no bloating no fin rot nothing just what was mentioned. Not sure if male or female have had for 2 years. We keep water clean and feed him every day and fasts usually 1 or 2 days a week-lives in a bowl. Is there anything I can do?
2007-04-04 14:04:47 · 14 answers · asked by Lime 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
What's the temperature of his water? They are most active between 76-80, so you may need a heater if you don't have one. They also like small tanks (2.5-5 gallon) better than a betta bowl. They have more room and the water doesn't get dirty as fast.
2007-04-04 14:12:17 · answer #1 · answered by copperhead 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There are a whole host of potential causes honestly, but the most likely is the bowl is too cool. Even if the water seems and looks clean, if your not changing 100% of the water every 2-3 days your fish could be suffering from ammonia poisoning. Try a water change and placing the bowl in a warm place like under a lamp to see if that helps.
MM
2007-04-04 21:15:29 · answer #2 · answered by magicman116 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The average betta life span is 2 years but I have kept bettas that have lived for 4 years. You might want to check the temperature of the water, if it is below 80 degrees F it's probably a bit too cold. Bettas can tolerate anything between 78 degrees and 85 degrees the lowest and highest with a little discomfort. If the temperature is okay he may have swim bladder disorder. Check out this link on causes and treatments.
http://www.petfish.net/articles/Bettas/swimbladder_betta.php
You should look into getting a tank with a filtration system. My betta is in a 2.5 gallon with a filter that I set on low because they don't really care much for any sort of current in their water. Bettas are evolved for living in rice paddies where the water is somewhat stagnant and their fins don't adapt well to a strong current in their water. However with it set on low he will adapt and either pick a side of the tank away from the filter to hang around in or swim in it like an amusement ride (like mine does). This makes it much easier to keep his water clean, but you'll still need to do partial water changes such as 25% to 50% changes by syphoning and vacuuming the gravel with a tube at least once a week to insure his wastes are picked up. Only doing partial changes also encourage the growth of beneficial bacteria to keep him healthy and his tank sanitary.
(Also if it is small with short fins and dully colored it is female and if it is larger with long fins and vibrant colors your betta is male.)
2007-04-04 21:57:45 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
depression. dead serious, bettas can become depressed.
try getting him at least a 2.5gallon tank with a small filter and a 7.5watt hydor mini heater. keep the water around 78°F to 80°. get him a few silk plants too. although, if space isn't a concern and money is a 10gallon would probably be cheaper, they can be purchased for only $10 at most places.
*edit*
how did I know this was going to pop up... they do NOT live in puddles! they live in rice paddies, which are HUGE, each betta have his own LARGE territory. it is FALSE that they like tiny little containers. they like well planted tanks, but there is no truth to them liking bowls over a good 10gallon.
don't believe me? here is where they live:
http://www.bigbamboostock.com/photos/BALI-984.jpg
http://www.mongabay.com/images/indonesia/bali/bali8391.JPG
2007-04-04 21:13:28 · answer #4 · answered by Kylie Anne 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Its all in a life of a betta!
If you have a filter, it may be too strong. Betta's HATE pressure on the long fins because they HATE it when they're fins move much. Thats probably why (s)he is staying low, to avoid the filter.
Ashie (?) Betta's DO NOT need filteration. They originated in puddles in rice fields and are also use to small areas (hence the word puddles!).
2007-04-04 21:13:44 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
you should put him in a small tank with a filter. all fish need some sort of filtration. you should be treating your water with aquasafe to get rid of tap water chemicals like chlorine. test the water for ammonia as well at your local pet store. make sure the water isnt too cold.
2007-04-04 21:09:08 · answer #6 · answered by ashie.cakes 1 · 0⤊ 3⤋
My veterinarian has a very old Betta in his office and you described his Betta to a T. I think yours is just getting old too. Just keep doing what your doing, sounds like you are caring for it just fine.
2007-04-10 08:15:53 · answer #7 · answered by Yo_horse 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Water might be old. I noticed that when my bettas were in water that was too cold they were sluggish and if it was just slightly warmer they were more active. Please check the exact temperature in a betta book to be sure though.
2007-04-04 21:08:32 · answer #8 · answered by Amaebi 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
The average lifespan is 5 YEARS. maybe YOU SHOULD TRY changing him to a bigger tank. Male's have longer tail's than female's.
A$H!
2007-04-09 22:36:54 · answer #9 · answered by A$HLEY*! 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
you might need to put him or her in a bigger bowl with a bigger opening because its probibly not getting enough oxygen and females are smaller then males and males have longer fins and are sometimes more colorful.
2007-04-08 14:51:14 · answer #10 · answered by Diana 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋