My betta fish is very pale and listless. Before yesterday he was his usual energetic, happy self, and then yesterday I saw him looking sick. Can someone please help me to help him get better? What is wrong with him and what can I do? I have only had him around 6 months and love him. I don't want him to die.
2007-06-06 01:05:02 · 5 answers · asked by iluvmypets 4 in Pets ➔ Fish
The fish tank is 6.3 liters with an undergravel filter system. The temperature is 82 degrees. I feed him once a day.
2007-06-06 02:25:48 · update #1
I clean the fish tank once a week with a 50% water change.
2007-06-06 02:28:04 · update #2
Do a water change right away.
You do need to post more info on this in order to get more specific help. Tank size, filtered/unfiltered, water temp, how often you feed, did anything unusual happen yesterday that could have brought this on, etc.
If this is a bowl or other unfiltered container/tank of at least a gallon, you should be doing complete water changes weekly. That means removing him to a small container, and completely emptying his bowl of water, scrubbing it with an algae scrubby, and rinsing it with hot water.
NO SOAP EVER!
He should never be subjected to temp fluctuations of more than 2 degrees, and he should be kept in temps of 75 to 82.
He should be kept in an absolute minimum of 1/2 gallon, tho I recommend a minimum of a gallon, and ideally, 3 gallons. If you keep him in less than a gallon, you have to do those water changes more frequently, because he is fouling the water he is breathing and living in.
I would feed no more than 2 pellets at a feeding, and no more than 2 feedings a day. Myself, I give my bettas one feeding a day and they do very well.
It is NOT TRUE that bettas only live 9 to 18 months!!!!!!
They generally live 3 years, but have been known to live as long as 5 years.
Do NOT medicate your fish without knowing what is wrong.
And do NOT put his bowl in direct sunlight! It can overheat the water!
Here's a great link to help you learn more about bettas-
http://healthybetta.com/
Good luck with the guy.
2007-06-06 02:09:34 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Could be the cleanliness of the water he is in. How often do you clean the bowl/tank?
Make sure you keep the water tempurature the same when you are refilling the container after a cleaning. Quicking changes in water temp can cause harm to a fish. Also some fish have diseased they carry from pet stores, it may take some months to manifest itself.
Check its fins, if they look like they have been gnawed on by another fish then that could be a sign of disease.
Take your fish to the pet store where he was purchased. The staff there should be able to provide you with more information as they should be trained in that area.
2007-06-06 01:15:27 · answer #2 · answered by Exodus 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
There are many things that could be causing this. First off what is the temp in his tank? It should be between 76-82 degrees F. I would check this first. Usually this is all that it takes to spunk them right up. Remember Bettas are tropical fish and need to be in warm water. Also check the water PH and such. When was the last time you changed the water? What size of tank/bowl is he in? More info please. You can contact me and I would be happy to help you.
2007-06-06 01:20:29 · answer #3 · answered by LuvinLife 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
do a water change and try to up the temp. if you live up north and the temp of the water is below 70F raise it
it might just be dieing of old age they dont live long only about 9-18 months.
btw paradise fish are much better suited for bowls than goldfish or bettas
2007-06-06 01:18:09 · answer #4 · answered by Robs Fish Co. 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
just put some anti-biotic for him n give him some sunshine.every live animal /ppl need sunshine.yes
2007-06-06 02:05:07 · answer #5 · answered by msdiscus 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋