I just bought a Betta fish last night. He is in a 2.5 gallon tank (alone) with gravel, several plants, and water that has been left out for several days (apparently this is what you're supposed to do to "age" water when working with a new aquarium). He usually acts fairly calm and enjoys hiding under one of the bigger plants. However, sometimes he will dart out and start swimming around the tank as fast as he can, thrashing around instead of gliding like I've always seen bettas do, and turning left to right over and over. Also, he goes up to the top of the water and stares at the pellets I drop in, acts like he is going to eat them, then changes his mind and swims away. Is something wrong!? Thanks.
2007-09-26 13:47:37 · 9 answers · asked by omg_becky06 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
For the poster who asked about the filter: I did have a filter in there; however, as you mentioned, the current it created was too strong and kept sucking the fish towards it. This filter was the one that came with the tank (it was one of those boxed sets) and doesn't appear to have a way of adjusting the flow.
For those who mentioned temperature: I don't have a heater for the tank. I would go and get one from the store, but I'm a freshman in college and don't have a car, haha. So, until I can get to a petstore and get a good heater, will a lamp do any good? If not, is there anything else I can do to heat the water up a little bit?
2007-09-26 14:13:56 · update #1
I've had the light on his tank for a while now and he seems to be doing better - he's no longer thrashing around. However, now he goes up to the top of the tank and floats there for extended periods. I know that Bettas are labyrinth fish who breathe normal air like we do, but he's staying up at the top for several minutes at a time. Is this normal? Also, he's still not eating and I really don't know when I'll next get a chance to go to the pet store. Will he eat if he gets too hungry, even if he doesn't like the food? I don't want my new lil friend to starve to death. :( P.S. : Thanks very much to all the people who have answered so far, I really appreciate the help. :)
2007-09-27 09:35:05 · update #2
Sounds like new fish syndrome. Most fish will act weird when they are introduced into a new tank. Just give him a few days to calm down and he will start to act normal. And for the filter you could put the plants in front of the output hose to block some of the current or place a clean knee high over the intake to slow down the water flow. I have done that for my fry to keep them from getting sucked up.
And I will have to also agree with the others about a heater for the tank set between 76-82F.
2007-09-27 02:52:45 · answer #1 · answered by LuvinLife 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you have a filter on the tank? If so, make sure the current isn't too strong - the large fins of the males "catch" the current and can get blown around in the tank if they don't find a quiet place where the current is calm - that may be why he's hanging out under the plant (it's calmer), but when he comes out the current makes him swim harder and he gets turned around by the water movement. Most filters have a way of adjusting the rate of the flow, so try this and see if it helps.
As to the food, what you're giving him may be different than what he was used to, or it may be too big or hard for him to eat easily. Try softening them by soaking them in a small container with tank water (like a bottle cap) for about a minute before you put them in the tank.
2007-09-26 14:01:10 · answer #2 · answered by copperhead 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Did you add any water conditioner to the tank? Water conditioner gets rid of any of the chlorine in the tap water, and also I would get a very small package of conditioning salt which not only reduces stress but fights bad bacteria. Instead of pellets, next time you're at the pet store, pick up some freeze dried blood worms. The pellets that you have may be too big for him to swallow, which could be the reason why he is rejecting them. Freeze dried blood worms is not only easier for them to eat, but it's rich in protein, which makes for a more healthier betta.
If you want to heat up the water and do not have an aquarium heater a good method you could use is to put a heating pad next to the aquarium and let it heat up for about an hour. But, it is best to monitor the heat. Temperature changes can cause ich and shock. I would really suggest also purchasing a thermometer. Bettas do like heat better than the cold, but pet store bettas are used to colder water because they are kept in small plastic cups on cold metal shelves at the pet store. They are comfortable down to about 65 degrees.
Good luck with that little guy!
2007-09-27 05:01:51 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I agree with a previous poster. Check the water temperature. Bettas do best in 75-86 degrees F.
Also, what do you mean by "age the water"? I understand that some people leave water out overnight to eliminate chlorine, but I think you may have confused this with "cycling" a new tank.
When you cycle a new tank, you set everything up and let it run for a couple of weeks so that the nitrogen cycle can come full circle. If you throw a fish in mid-cycle, they may be exposed to toxic amounts of ammonia and nitrites.
2007-09-26 14:05:31 · answer #4 · answered by Quiet Tempest 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Rubbing ability some style of soreness regularly because of a parasitic an infection like ich or velvet. it ought to have been presented by way of the hot fish. try your water. If this is a sparkling tank it ought to nonetheless be cycling and perchance the water high quality is making the fish uncomfortable.
2016-10-05 10:20:49 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He sounds like he's a bit stressed out. The water is heated properly right? That's all I can really think of that could cause such distress.
2007-09-26 13:51:16 · answer #6 · answered by Judgerz 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
this is because the water is too cold so he is swimming flat out to get his temperature and then he is losing his appetite because the condition aren't right
2007-09-26 13:54:26 · answer #7 · answered by mallissa_rocks 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you dont have really a problem i think he was just shy at first and now his real colors are showing....a more active fish
2007-09-26 13:51:51 · answer #8 · answered by Cody 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
he could be seeing his reflection when he darts around, and trying to attack it. it happens
2007-09-26 14:01:28 · answer #9 · answered by mini_plum 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋