my male betta is in five gallon hex five tank with a heater. the water is very clear and is not cloudy at all.

Question

the water is heated to about 81 degrees..I changed about half the water.to see if that may help him but it didn't work. He eats fine but as soon as he does he goes right back to the bottom of the tank. there are no spots or anything on him. He still just as colorful as when i got him. The Water isn't cloudy or anything. so i'm stumped.i've had him for about 5-6 months..maybe its just his time?? any ideas would be greatly appreciated

Answer 1

That sounds like constipation, and great choice for the tank

Constipation can strike your betta just like it can you. It is unpleasant but can eventually kill your betta if not treated.

CAUSES:

One of the main reasons a betta becomes constipated is because their main diet is too rich. If you are feeding blood worms or brine shrimp on a daily basis, you can give your betta constipation. Another common cause of constipation is lack of variety in a betta's diet. An easy solution for this is alternating between food types for meals, such as a few pellets in the morning and flakes at night, brine shrimp the next day, etc. A third cause of constipation may be overfeeding at meal times.

PREVENTION:

Some betta owners fast (do not feed) their betta for one day per week to cleanse the betta's system. This is a useful method to prevent constipation, especially if live or frozen foods are fed on a regular basis. Another feeding option thought to prevent constipation is splitting a betta's feeding up into two small meals per day, rather than one larger meal. This reduces the amount of food intake at one time and allows the betta's system to process it easier. Always remember a betta's stomach is about the size of his eyeball, so a little food goes a long way. Variety in a betta's diet is important both to prevent constipation, and insure they are receiving the necessary nutrients to stay healthy.

DIAGNOSIS:

A constipated betta will have an unusually swollen abdomen but in all other rights appear and act normally.

TREATMENT:

Treatment for constipation is rather simple and can be cured very quickly. As mentioned above try to feed your betta a more varied diet and possibly smaller portion sizes.

To rid yourself of the constipation problem, fast your betta for 24-48 hours. Next, take a cooked pea and peel it. Feed a small portion of it to your betta on the end of a flat toothpick. Within the next day or so you should see the swelling go down and a few little deposits at the bottom of the tank. Watch to make sure your betta is going to the bathroom, as this will mean the constipation is subsiding.

NOTE: if your betta continues to swell after treatment of constipation and you are noticing that he is having bowel movements, something else could be the problem like Dropsy, Bloat, Swim Bladder Disorder, or a tumor.

Additional procedures:

Clean water is always important for a betta, but is especially beneficial for any betta facing an illness.

Always keeping your betta warm, between 76-82 degrees, will also help them to feel more comfortable and raise their immune system.




Hope that helps
Good luck


EB

Answer 2

You seem to have space, temperature and diet down, so the only thing I can think of is whether your tank has been cycled. It's one of the most important things for all aquariums.

You can read more about the nitrogen cycle here:

http://aquamaniacs.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=26352
http://aquamaniacs.net/forum/cms_view_article.php?aid=14

Since you've had your tank running for 5 months already, it's likely that it's cycled already on its own. Your betta probably took the hit and is fine, but the 50% water changes are too much and might be starting minicycles in your tank, causing the parameters in your water to spike and fluctuate and stressing out your fish.

Get a testing kit and test your water for ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. You can also bring some of your water to a pet store to get it tested. Your ammonia and nitrites should be at 0 ppm, and your nitrates less than 20 ppm.

Answer 3

in a 5 gallon tank you can't really fit in anything else besides the betta itself a snail and some live plants. if you want to upgrade then get a 10g tank and that would be better. but with a male betta it will be hard to add fish in the tank without him hurting any. some male bettas are more peaceful than others.i've seen some pet stores and videos of people keeping male bettas in communtiy tanks but the betta must be peaceful or else it won't work. if your betta is peaceful then you could get a school of tetras. there is a couple of different tetras that would work: neon tetras cardinal tetras glow-light tetras black neon tetras white tipped tetras. if you get these then get 6 of them only no more or no less. because they are schooling fish and like to be in groups unlike bettas that sometimes prefer to be alone if they are aggressive. now you can also add a small school of corydoras. there is also a couple of different cories that would work julii corydoras(which i reccommend because they are easier) spotted cories panda cories(they are a bit harder) albino cories(they get a bit bigger tho) don't get green emerald cories those get much bigger than other cories they can get up to like 4 inches.) so unless your betta is peaceful and you upgrade to a 10 gallon tank not a 5 gallon tank then you can get 1 male betta 3 or 4 cories of the ones i mentioned(don't get different types or they won't school) 6 tetras of the ones i mentioned this will only work if your betta is peaceful and doesn't usually get mad(flare) at you. you will also need a cycled tank and lots of hiding placesjust in case the betta chases the tetras or cories. cories also like to hide sometimes so get some caves for them to hide because sometimes they don't like the light much. also your betta might not like so much current in his tank so get a cave that has like a seperate part that is all covered so i can rest. i have one that looks like 2 mountains and there is only 1 entrance and there is like a hole under for it to go to the other "mountain" and my betta really likes to rest in it. also make sure your tank has went through the nitrogen cycle if you do not know what this is then please do some more reasearch before you actually buy them also make sure you get sand instead of gravel because cories are very sensitive and can get hurt if the gravel ifvery rough or has sharp edges. also a couple of lvie plants would be good. and remember do not get more than 3 fish a week or else too much waste(poop) will be amde which means more ammonia so u don't wann risk having ammonia in your tank.

Answer 4

Mabey the tank now seems too small to him. Bettas are naturally active fish but if they sit in a small space for too long they become lazy and lethargic. Mabey if you put him in a bigger tank, he will become active once again. That is what I'm going to do if mine quits being active. I have him in a 2.5g tank but he seems fine.
If you have access to one, put him in a bigger container of water. If that doesnt work, you may need your water tested.

Answer 5

A) How much do you feed?

B) do you soak your food before you feed?

C) 81 degrees is boardering on HOT. Lower the temperature. See if that helps him out a bit.

D) Unless that tank is cycled, you should be doing 100% water changes every week.

Answer 6

i think i am missing the question? he just sits on the bottom? i think he needs some kind of stimulation. try redecorating. get him some apongeton bulbs or a chunk of water sprite or something. i learned to float water sprite on the top of the water -- bettas like to hang out in it.

Answer 7

Maybe it IS just his time. But if he's eating, that's a good sign...

Answer 8

huh? sorry i don't get your question.