I'm a new betta owner, and I don't think I'm doing too well....please help!?

Question

I got a betta two days ago. the first day I put him in a vase. The next day i found out that the vase was less than one gallon and that I needed to feed him, not just put a pellet in and let it sit. the water was gross from the pellet, so i changed his water. today I got him a 2.5 gallon tank. I put the filter it came with in, but it was visibly moving the water and he kept getting stuck behind it (and I think it made him stuggle to swim). The water is conditioned, but I haven't tested the levels yet. there are three small plants in the bottom, but the walls are COVERED in bubbles (is this normal?) Whenever I put the water in the tank it did this, and where I have scraped off the bubbles they are gone, but everywhere else they're still there. Now he's floating (not upside down, head up) but he won't move unless I disturb him. I think he might be sick or really stressed. His eyes don't look quite as clear and his fins aren't quite as full. Any suggestions or comments?

He's not moving his tiny fins right by his face hardly....is that bad too?

This morning he looked happy. He ate 2 pellets in less than a minute.

I just put a pellet in and he ignored it. He has no reaction time (like, I got him two days ago, and usually wouldn't let me near him, but I brushed him with my hand removing the pellet) then he pointed downward and just drifted down until I disturbed him and then he quickly swam to the top. I don't think he's going to make it. He is acting really wierd and is not swimming at all. I did take the filter out though....

I turned off his overhead light, maybe he was getting too hot? I just hate the way he keeps swimming up and then drifting down....He looks pale and his fins keep looking worse

Answer 1

Well I don't know what others might tell you, but I had a 2.5 gallon tank with a very flowing filter and a light, and a very agressive beta, and he loved the tank, to the point that when I moved him to a slightly smaller, unlit, and bubbleless tank to make room for baby mollies, he litterally starved himself to death. Beta seem "pale" when not doing good, and they often just sit still. I fed mine regualr TetraTropical fish flakes and he loved them and when I was trying other foods, like pellets and tetrabetta, I noted that his color was duller than on the tropic food.

~RIP Socortease~

Answer 2

The fish actually sounds pretty normal.

Bettas aren't the most lively of fish. They can spend hours in one spot, motionless. I noticed you fed it 10minutes apart (in your "additional details"). Bettas should be fed about 5 pellets every two to three days. I realize that the instructions on the container say to feed it several times everyday, but you really don't need to. The fish-food companies (like TetraMin and others) typically advertise to feed your fish more than they need to be fed because it takes such a long time to get through a whole container of fish food. Simply put, the companies want your money.

I wouldn't worry too much about the bubbles you saw on the sides of the tank. If you see bubbles on the top of the tank, that's just your bettas bubble-nest. It's perfectly normal, and you should leave it there. It will dissipate on its own.

You are using distilled (chlorine-free) water in the tank, correct? Excess chlorine can cause several major problems, however this doesn't sound like the case, judging by what you've explained.

If, when you say your betta is floating "head up," you mean your fish is completely vertical, your fish might have a bladder infection. This kind of infection throws off the equilibrium of your fish so it doesn't realize that it's head is facing straight up. (Think of it like a human's inner ear infection. A person becomes disoriented, his balance is thrown off and he sways a lot because he can't perceive the world around him properly.) You should go to your local pet store and ask if they have Betta Remedy or Maracyn-TC or the like. There are countless fish remedies for bladder infections. If treated soon, your fish may yet recover. :)

I hope that helps.

Good luck with your fish. :)

Answer 3

the new tank you bought is just fine a beta don,t have to have a filter.be for you put the fish in make sure you rinse every thing filter , rocks little tree,s so on . even if you put condition water in it put bowl buddies tablet in it .i put a little mirror in mine .he likes it .for the bubbles mine does that nothing to worry, when you feed him only give him 1or2once a day i buy wardley beta food the small pellets. no don,t over feed him this is not good for him plus you have to clean your tank more .my beta sleeps on the botton of the fish tank scared me at first thought he was dead the first time i seen him but thats how mine sleep s. just keep a eye on him .and you can all so call the pet store were you bought it and see what they say . a lot of times they well tell you bring it back and get a nother one . god luck with your little fishy

Answer 4

you're doing just fine
any fish you buy usually takes his time to start eating
DON'T take the filter out
The water you see on the walls are just oxygen bubbles and will be gone after about 3-5 hours
As for the betta going behind the filter, just put a plant right in front of it
It takes about a week for any fish to get used to his environment
And bettas do much better in a bigger tank, I know that for a fact, because I had mine in a bowl and upgraded to a 5 gallon tank
It's absolutely normal that they rest


Hope that helps
Good luck


EB

Answer 5

I would not have started him in a vase. I used a 10 gallon. He won't accept food for a couple of days after buying him. That is normal. Try to slow the water current down somehow for him to swim easier.

Answer 6

We also have a Betta...We rescued him from Wal-Mart and named him Betty...

He does quite well in a goldfish bowl.....We do have a tube attatched to a air bubble stone for fresh air, but they do not need more than that really...

We never condition the water, and we used the Tetra betta food....I don't even open the container all the way, I just unscrew it a little and the food that is caught in the grooves comes out and is enough to feed him...

Don't worry about the bubbles, it is just the oxygen in the water

Betty has been a part of our family for over two years now....

Hope everything works out for you....

Answer 7

Go to this site for the complete "How To Take Care Of A Betta". It's a very informative site and has everything you should need to care for your betta.
http://www.wikihow.com/Take-Care-of-a-Betta-Fish

TIPS:
- Bettas are members of the Anabantoid family (gouramies are in this family) and have a back-up breathing system that allows them to breathe surface air. However, they still require a filtration system in their tanks and aeration. Bear in mind the long-finned varieties do best with as little current as possible.
- Betta fish recognize their owners and will actually learn faces and games. Keep your betta company and say "hi" once in a while, so he learns who you are! Bettas can and do recognize people (mainly because they associate you with feeding time).
- Female bettas are typically smaller and without the beautiful plumage that males possess. However, they can still be equally as beautiful in their own way—and feisty!
- If your betta gets sick, treat it with a proper antibiotic. You can purchase these at your local pet store.
- You can use a turkey baster to suck up any pellets that may have fallen to the bottom of the tank. This helps to keep your tank relatively clean.

WARNINGS:
- Male bettas cannot live with other male bettas. They are named Siamese Fighting Fish for a reason! They will fight to the death in order to protect their living space. Even when together for small amounts of time, they will damage each other! In very large tanks (40 plus gallons) they have been known to stay on their claimed sides and simply glare at each other from afar.
- If you have a relatively large tank, you might consider having another fish to coexist with your betta. Although it is better to leave the fish with its own space. Avoid purchasing another fish that has brightly colored fins (such as fancy guppies), where your betta might mistake it for another betta. Also avoid other aggressive fish or fin-nippers. Some tetras and most rasboras will work. Read fish forums online or ask an employee in the pet shop for suggestions.
- Female bettas will fight males and vice versa.
- Bettas are somewhat temperature sensitive. In general a change in 2 to 3 degrees can lower its immune system, thus the need for a heater in your tank.
- Do not used distilled water. Distilled water is actually water with all other minerals and nutrients removed, bettas do not naturally live in distilled water and forcing them to do so can be harmful to their health.

THINGS YOU'LL NEED:
- Tank (2.5-10 gallons recommended)
- Heater, filter
- Water conditioner (chlorine/chloramine remover, unless you use purified drinking water)
- Fish net
- Betta fish food (high in protein)
- Aquarium salt (not table salt)
- Smooth stones or gravel to cover the bottom.
- Some ornament to decorate your tank, doubling as structure for your betta to rest upon. Dragging fins make your betta prone to bacteria on the floor of the tank which can lead to fin rot.
http://www.wikihow.com/Take-Care-of-a-Betta-Fish

Answer 8

Beta Fish have moments where they stay still for a long period of time. Betas do not need a filter but you can have one. You dint need to test the levels. Just make sure that they are in a good room temperature. Don't worry about the bubbles.

Answer 9

ok frist the bubbles mean that the tank is dirty and u have to have clorine free water not tap water or the fish will die and did u put the fish in immedietly if u did its in shock ur susposed to leve it in its bag and put the bag in the water with the fish so the fish can ajust its body temp.and ur susposesd to feed him whatever he can eat in 3 min.u might want to go to a store and buy somthing called "quick cure" just in case of any desice and i dont no what to tell u about the filter but my filter does not work well either and do u have a light in ur tank that might be y to beacuse if ur fish is tropical u need a heater i dont know if betta's r tho

Answer 10

Bubbles are normal.I don't have a filter for mine.I just clean it once in a while.If the filter is a problem take it out.Betas look like that.Is he eating? Or swimming well?That fish is not healthy.