I got him last Monday, one week ago. He was in a small, unfiltered tank. Just switched him to a filtered 3 gallon on Sunday. He was happy and fine. Looked well. This morning he was hiding a lot, but I thought it was ok. Came home from work tonight and he is on the bottom a lot. His fins and gills look fine. He has no white spots and no tears anywhere. He just sits there and comes up for air occasionally. I got worried because his eyes do look a bit bulgy, but not too much. So, I ran out a few hours ago and bought Maracyn-Two. I just put it in the water. But, I am worried. I don't really see a problem. Should I buy something else to put in the water? Also, there is a white substance on one of my plants in the tank. I am going to remove that now.
2007-05-22 14:36:32 · 13 answers · asked by Mia 3 in Pets ➔ Fish
he's probably just hanging out and being moody? lol my fish used to do that too....of course if youre not taking proper care of him and his tank and THEN he starts to do that then maybe hes sick...just wait it out and see what happens...
2007-05-22 14:45:17 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would suggest you stop treating the tank asap. If you see no signs of disease, don't treat for one. It really can do more harm than good.
Most likely the cause is either temperature (if it's below about 68 or so) or ammonia build up in the tank. I would heavily lean to ammonia as the source of the problem since he was just moved into a new tank a few days ago. I would suggest a 50% water change to remove most of the medication and ammonia, followed by another 50% water change tomorrow. Then begin doing smaller 10-20% water changes each day for the next few weeks. After that, spread the water changes out slowing until 2 months from now you are only doing one 25% change a week.
This will keep the ammonia in check while the beneficial bacterial become established in your tank.
MM
2007-05-22 16:27:35 · answer #2 · answered by magicman116 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
How powerful is the filter? Bettas don't like a lot of movement because where they come from is still waters. He might not be happy with all the movement if it's too much. I normally suggets people to get 10 gallon tanks. This is because they are easier to clean, can have a small filter on them without tramatizing the fish and can be decorated for more exploring areas for the fish. Also what is the temp? It could be too cold. Another reason I suggest 10G tanks is because you can hook up a small heater. Bettas DO like heat. They are from -Thailand-. So even though people don't think they do, they do like heat.
2007-05-22 14:45:07 · answer #3 · answered by ixmissyoucupcake 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
What's your temp at? It should be at 78*-82*, Betta's like it really warm. Also do weekly water changes, about 25% of water. Make sure you use a water conditioner! I have three Betta's they are at the bottom of tanks a lot , hiding in the plants, they have done this for over a year now! They are just fine!
2007-05-22 15:05:58 · answer #4 · answered by jra60411 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
attempt finding out the water. Bettas are hardy fish certainly one of mine have been given a tumor and lived with it for a pair months. If the water isn't solid replace it and see if he ameliorations. If he's eating he could be resting
2016-12-11 17:42:52 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a bit buldgey probably is a normal fish eye if you have only kept a fish for a week. bettas are often kind of lethargic fish. if he has nothing else to rest on (a big fabric leafed plant works great) he will rest on the bottom. what you really want to look for are things like clamped fins -- if he seems like he is holding his fins tightly together that could be an early sign he is sick.
here are some pictures of popeye --
http://www.flippersandfins.net/pop-eye.htm
2007-05-22 14:51:59 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
:| probably shouldn't have treated him. medications are very hard on fish and you should never treat unless you know your fish has the sickness.
I doubt it's a swim bladder problem, this would cause your fish to float, not sit at the bottom. in fact he'd most likely find it impossible to sit at the bottom.
I would suggest getting a heater for your tank too, a 7watt heater at walmart is about $7. bettas are tropical fish, so keeping the temp around 78°F to 82°F should perk him up :)
2007-05-22 14:51:41 · answer #7 · answered by Kylie Anne 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
hes probly stressed becuse of the plants and the tempeture in the water
the same thing happend to my betta and he was fine in 3 weeks
try putting him in a bigger tank
with more heat(at about 79 degresss )and no plants or statues
he should get better soon
hope this helps u
2007-05-22 15:54:13 · answer #8 · answered by reptilian_queen1 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
try changing 25% of the water. if you don't see any better change in a few days, you may need to replace him. Unfortunately, he may have been sick when you bought him and is now suffering. I've found it very hard to determine which fish are truly healthy at pet stores, which is why they recommend you quarantine them for 3-4 days before introducing them to a community tank...but since yours isn't a community tank, it won't matter.
2007-05-22 14:43:25 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
It could be a swim bladder problem. Feed him a small pea (nuked, cooled, and skinned). If its the swim bladder that will fix him up in no time.
______In response to below, swim bladder can make a fish stay at the bottom of the tank as well as float, lots of different symptoms. Check out http://www.angelfire.com/ma3/fishforumdisease/
2007-05-22 14:43:08 · answer #10 · answered by Drag 1 · 0⤊ 3⤋