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Post by ✲ριкαƒυєу✲ on Nov 2, 2016 23:12:11 GMT -5
So I have a betta fish, and I've had him a few months now. For the past three days he has been acting very depressed, and just lays at the bottom of his tank. He won't eat, and just stays there for hours. The only reason I know he's alive still is because he's breathing, and will go to another spot in his tank--and occasionally to the top for air.
I have everything a betta needs--a 5 gallon tank, a gentle-cycle filter, real plants, a heater that keeps his tank at 78 degrees, betta food and treats...and even special betta water conditioner for when his tank has to be cleaned.
I don't understand what I'm doing wrong? His tank is clean, he doesn't have any signs of Ich, and he looks perfectly healthy aside from his behavior. I'm really concerned about him, and seeing him this way is breaking my heart. I really love animals--especially my pets.
Does anyone know what I could be doing wrong? I hate seeing him this way...
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Post by alfred on Nov 3, 2016 7:05:48 GMT -5
Is he a new fish? How long have you had him in the 5 gal?
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Post by starrydawn on Nov 3, 2016 7:15:12 GMT -5
So I have a betta fish, and I've had him a few months now. For the past three days he has been acting very depressed, and just lays at the bottom of his tank. He won't eat, and just stays there for hours. The only reason I know he's alive still is because he's breathing, and will go to another spot in his tank--and occasionally to the top for air. I have everything a betta needs--a 5 gallon tank, a gentle-cycle filter, real plants, a heater that keeps his tank at 78 degrees, betta food and treats...and even special betta water conditioner for when his tank has to be cleaned. I don't understand what I'm doing wrong? His tank is clean, he doesn't have any signs of Ich, and he looks perfectly healthy aside from his behavior. I'm really concerned about him, and seeing him this way is breaking my heart. I really love animals--especially my pets. Does anyone know what I could be doing wrong? I hate seeing him this way... Are his fins clamped or anything? I'm not the fish person in my family but my fish did that, but his fins were clamped up too. I can also ask my mom if you want, she knows a ton about bettas
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Post by ✲ριкαƒυєу✲ on Nov 3, 2016 9:25:55 GMT -5
@batman - Thanks for the link! I looked at it, but it doesn't seem to have any answers I need :c alfred - He's fairly new. I've had him for a few months now, and he's been in the 5 gallon since I've had him. Bleak - I rearrange his tank whenever I clean it--which is at least every 2-3 weeks. So I don't think that's the issue. I'm worried though :c starrydawn - What do you mean by clamped? And if you could ask your mom that'd be very much appreciated! <3
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Post by starrydawn on Nov 3, 2016 9:42:01 GMT -5
As in the fins don't spread out, they're seemingly folded up and stuck to him kind of. Also, make sure he's not bloated, and I will text her as soon as possible!
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Post by alfred on Nov 3, 2016 12:18:30 GMT -5
I'm not an expert. This is all just from personal experience and some research. If you want more help, there are fish forums you could join. Cheesy, maybe, but they help a ton with sick fish.
That might be the issue. From my own personal experience, the first two bettas I've had around never did well right off the bat in large tanks. They were mostly shy and hid often. I think it somewhat comes as a shock to them suddenly having so much space around compared to the small bowls most come in. It's even more of an issue if you've a ton of places for them to hide as they tend to stay there most of the time.
My betta is in a ten now and perfectly happy, but what I did to start off is I introduced him to a smaller 2 gal bowl. I gave him a few places to hide behind but never under. Being in the smaller area, I think it kind of gave him a security. It's a smaller place to explore and he can see you better there. He started to get into the routine of coming to the surface when I fed him and steadily grew more confident.
Maybe you could try this? If only to monitor his health. Don't keep him there! Just try and observe if there are any other changes or signs of distress.
- - -
Like some of the others have mentioned - clamped fins, the discoloration of fins, and a bloated stomach could all be other signs indicating other issues. Saying he's lethargic and barely moves is kind of broad because, in all honesty, that could just be his personality. Does your fish have any of the other symptoms mentioned?
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Post by alfred on Nov 3, 2016 12:28:03 GMT -5
For the past three days he has been acting very depressed, and just lays at the bottom of his tank. Just realized this was a current issue, sorry! Is he showing any other signs of distress?
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Post by Auransky on Nov 3, 2016 13:28:40 GMT -5
By the sounds of it; it sounds like it is a PH problem. PH levels dropping results in un-balance for the fish. I also have a Beta; and though it's the lowest maintnace out of all my fish tanks; there is times where I do a "25%" weekly water change. (it's a smaller tank so I do a small cups worth)
My beta doesn't use an overhead filter anymore; that was just having the beta fight the current so I changed to a Gravel filter with a tube in the center with the air stone blowing air towards the top.
The water evaoprated a few days ago drastically; the beta was unhappy and floating at the bottom. (Since I have PH level indicator for my salt tank I sorta borrowed that xD)
Filled the water back up and added a tint of "Aquasafe" to help neutralize the new water. That helped balance the PH level quick and the fish has been back up and about since. ^^
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Post by Deleted on Nov 3, 2016 13:40:02 GMT -5
My six-year-old betta fish did that for several days before he died.
Is your fish discolored? You know, pale?
You might want to start testing the water (NOT WITH STRIPS; WITH AN ACTUAL TEST KIT) to see how much ammonia and stuff there is. Or rearrange the decorations/add some new stuff.
Have you tried TALKING to your fish? They like that. Mine certainly did.
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Post by ✲ριкαƒυєу✲ on Nov 3, 2016 16:04:05 GMT -5
*Update*
Thank you to everyone for your advice! I took him to see a fish expert today, and he is perfectly healthy. His water is also perfect quality.
So what is the issue? Well, although it doesn't happen often, Pyro has been depressed because he needs to mate.
Pathetic right? So I went and bought him a female. And a 10 gallon tank I plan to divide for them both. I will give them time to adjust before I put them together, and they will be heavily monitored.
I just...what. Why.
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Post by The Noble Dragon on Nov 3, 2016 17:23:18 GMT -5
Yeah make sure you monitor them bc after mating they will prob get very violent with each other, Betas are heavily teritorial and will attack others. (When i used to have them they would try to attack their own reflection when their tanks were accidentally put by the mirror in the bathroom.)
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Post by Deleted on Nov 3, 2016 17:33:35 GMT -5
Youll probably have to cull the fry :/ i don't think buying a mate was the right step but I wish you luck.
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Post by Auransky on Nov 3, 2016 17:42:12 GMT -5
Youll probably have to cull the fry :/ i don't think buying a mate was the right step but I wish you luck. ^^ I'm going to agree with Virtue here. Buying a mate solves a temporary problem. Once the mates have eggs, and those eggs become babies; papa fish is going to kill them all the males. On top of that it'll later try to mate with its female children; afterwards rinse and repeat- Well until there are more then one females and they become competitive.... Welp best of luck I have over 10 years of owning my Koi; owned Betas throughout the years, and a longer experience with gold fish. :3 1st year in salt water (wish me luck!)
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Post by Deleted on Nov 3, 2016 20:03:22 GMT -5
if you do keep the fry then you're going to need a whole new setup to raise them, including a LOT of separation. you'll need a lot more tanks. all males must be separated from everyone else. females may live together in a sorority, at least 3 females and anything under say 10 gallons isn't sufficient space (think 2.5 gallons per fish as the MINIMUM, with 5 being preferred). you will also have to have the tank HEAVILY decorated/planted so that the fish can't see each other much if at all. there's a 85% chance there WILL be deaths due to attacking each other, and 95% chance of lower life spans due to stress. i think you're allowed to give the fish to stores to sell, but i can't remember exact rules off the top of my head. it probably varies by area as well.
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Post by ✲ριкαƒυєу✲ on Nov 3, 2016 20:08:18 GMT -5
No worries. I don't plan on keeping the babies, and I will have the proper set up for them so the parents don't kill them. I also will have a divider to separate my male and female in the 10 gallon. Once the babies are big enough, I'm going to give them away to friends and family. I don't intend on keeping a whole bunch of murderous fish lol.
My father used to breed fish when I was younger, so I do have some knowledge on what to do once they hatch. And this is even if anything happens. They don't appear that interested in each other right now, so we'll see what happens.
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