I bought a betta fish & realised the water's cold and it hasn't been eating or moving much. What should i do?

Question

I bought a betta fish (siamese fighting fish) yesterday and it was feeding and moving around fine yesterday. Today ít seems it's been floating around the bottom of the tank, hiding between the plant and not swimming to the top for food. I dont think it ate anything today or is moving much. I was keeping it by the window. It's pretty cold in my house and what do you think i should do and where's best to keep it (Possibly places between the kitchen or bathroom)

I was feeding the fish the flakes that came along with the water purifier. Today i was given Pro Betta pellets - little balls. I'm thinking of buying freeze dried blood worms.

Answer 1

Firstly, it's common for new bettas to refuse to eat when they have first entered their new home. You must understand that your betta is pretty much undergoing a complete haul-over - in size of home, physical surroundings like plants and ornaments, all the way down to your water parameters like the change in pH from the water he was in at the pet store to your water. You get the idea. So you can't blame him for a loss of appetite. You might want to fast him for a couple of days just so his system can get settled in - many betta keepers recommend that. Don't worry about him starving or anything like that - bettas can go up to a week without food unharmed (they have stomachs the size of their eyes).

Secondly, you should definitely invest in a heater for your betta. It should only cost a few dollars and even if your betta is in less than 5 gallons (although I do hope it is in at least 2) there are still several junior heaters that can be used. Bettas come from tropical climates and need temperatures in the high 70s - 79 degrees Fahrenheit is usually good. Putting your betta in a warmer spot will not necessarily help. Cold temperatures are bad for your betta, but temperatures that fluctuate even within the recommended range are far worse. Bettas can only take temperature changes of up to one degree at a time. Basically, what I'm saying is that it's more important for your water temperature to be constant than "suitable". The only way to really ensure this is by getting a heater.

Thirdly, I don't really think you should have your tank near a window. Bettas do need light, but they dislike natural light and windows usually mean lots of temperature fluctuations throughout the day. Any stable desk will do. I'm not sure about the kitchen or bathroom - in the kitchen, you don't really know what will fall into his tank with all the cooking going on, and in the bathroom, any perfume or deodorant (or anything in an aerosol) that is sprayed near his tank can kill him instantly.

Answer 2

Get a heater and set the temperature around 76-80 degrees
The not eating is normal, because he's adjusting to his new environment
Also put your tank to a place where no sunlight can reach it, otherwise you're soon going to deal with algae growth
He also loves resting on plants, so that's absolutely normal behavior
Also keep the light only 10-12 hours on during the day, and turn it off for 12-14 hours at night


Hope that helps
Good luck



EB

Answer 3

well it depends....if u have in it a tank lik eone of5 or 10 gallons you might want to nvest in a small aquatic heater. bettas originally come from warm tropical waters so u should keep the temp at mayby 64-82 degrees. this might speed up his activity level bc bettas typically dont move alot when hey r cold. also what food r u feedng him? i feed mine beta bio gold and this food is great for color, energy, and all aroound health. also occasionally u can feed him boolworms. mine seem to love them and it makes them crawzy every time i come near with the red can of worms. hope this helps!

Answer 4

You betta has fin rot. the perfect therapy identity Jungle fungus sparkling. Thea's pills take care of 10 gallons yet may be broken into smaller proportions. you ought to easily feed you betta as quickly as an afternoon inVeryy small proportions (their abdomen is in simple terms the dimensions of their eye balls) because of the fact from over feeding they are in a position to getswim bladderrdiseasee. stable job retaining your betta in a ideal tank (a super number of folk save them in small bowls) and stable success healing him!

Answer 5

hi, If it is a really big tank mabye you can get a heater, but if it is a smaller tank I would try putting it in the sun, but not like harsh light. Just so he can get warm. Or if is is just cold in your house for a couple days, you an change his water. Also, Mabye he is going through a stage. or scared of his surroundings.Best of Luck.

Answer 6

It is probably cold. Fish should not be kept near windows (drafts and direct sunlight). They are sensitive to rapid temperature changes, so keep it away from the stove (duh, i know) or vents.

Answer 7

Maybe you should change the water into warm water,or maybe you can try but it where there is alot of water.