This happens more after he's just done a rapid swim or was blowing up at the betta next to him. It seems like it's getting worse. After he rests for a bit he's back to normal until the next time. Is it gill disease?
I have him in a 1/2 gallon tank with not filter or anything. I use Poland Spring water only with water conditioner.
Any ideas?
2007-06-22 07:09:34 · 4 answers · asked by co61971 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
No, I don't have 2 male bettas in the same tank. They were side by side in 2 separate tanks.
As far as what's different.....his gills flare a lot when he's out of breath after just swimming around quickly or flaring. I never saw that in him before and started noticing it about 2 weeks ago.
2007-06-22 07:21:12 · update #1
The first thing I would suggest is to place something between the two fish so that they can't see each other. That will really calm him down and help him in the long run.
As far as the breathing problem, if it's been two weeks, it's probably not a disease or parasite or anything as those would be making him sick in other ways by now.
The first thing I would check is the temperature of the bowls. If they warm up, they can contain less oxygen and that would make him need to breathe more and more heavily.
If that's not the problem, it is possible that a disease is to blame. My first guess would be a parasite on his gills. For that I would suggest treating with Maracide or a similar parasite medication.
MM
2007-06-22 07:37:24 · answer #1 · answered by magicman116 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Can you be more specific with what type of issue he seems to be having with breathing? Are his gills flaring, etc? What exactly is it that's out of the normal?
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Follow up.
Bettas flare their gills - it's normal. It doesn't mean that anything is wrong with him, so don't worry! But, he should not be doing this all the time. It can overstress and exhaust them! It is actually good exercise for betta males to flare at another fish (or a mirror when no other male is available) but should only be allowed for up to 15 minutes, once or twice a day. This can keep a fish in good spirits and make him perky, but they can and will literally exhaust themselves.
And no, you do not need "the oxygen thing" which I presume was intended to mean an air pump. Bettas breath through their labyrinth organ, not through their gills like other fish. ;)
2007-06-22 14:14:48 · answer #2 · answered by Mermaiden 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You have two Betta's in the same tank??? I'm surprised they are not fighting. Even females they will attack as Betta's don't tolerate other Betta's very well. He's probably very aroused/excited at this. Is he flaring his fins as well? This is probably a sign he's going to get very aggressive. Outside of that I am not sure, but Luvin and MM have good experience with Betta's as does Kylie and 8 in the Corner.
JV
FOLLOW UP:
Typically, he would have been reacting towards another Betta if he was able to see it, and if you've moved it, that takes that out of the equation. Being this is a non filtered tank, how often are you changing the water? When did you last change out his water? It could also be the water temp difference. If you have a heat source in the tank, which he needs, maybe the poland springs water is too cold or too much of a difference in the tank water and he's reacting towards that. Keep in mind that fish are cold blooded so thier temperature will be that of the water surrounding them
2007-06-22 14:15:19 · answer #3 · answered by I am Legend 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
you need the oxygen thing
2007-06-22 15:23:47 · answer #4 · answered by jasmine n 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋