Tropical Fish Forums

[haedcase]

I have been looking all around the internet for an answer, but I'm pretty stumped on this, so I thought I'd finally come here.

I've had my betta just over two weeks now. When I first got him he was active and acted like a normal healthy betta. However earlier this week he started acting more and more lethargic, and now he just floats around at the surface or on the bottom of the tank somewhere. He comes up for air and he eats when I feed him, but then he returns to floating.

When he first started exhibiting the symptoms, I added a small heater to the tank, thinking the water was too cold. The water is kept at a constant 78 degrees now, but I've noticed no change in his behavior. He does keep his fins slightly clamped, but I'm not seeing any other physical symptoms. When I first got him, if I put a mirror next to his tank, he would flare and show off like a betta is supposed to. Then after the symptoms showed up, he would still flare, but only half-heartedly, and would just float in front of the mirror. Now he ignores it entirely.

I'm really at a loss here, so any help would be appreciated. Here's a run-down of the tank:

Size: 2.5 gal
Ammonia: 0
Nitrate: 0
Nitrite: 0
pH: 5.5
Temperature: 78

It's a small tank, so there is a heater but no filter. I've been doing ~30% water changes once a week. It is planted with a couple of live plants and about .5-1 inch worth of gravel. There are no other decorations.

I feed him 2-3 Omega One pellets per day, skipping one day per week. I fed him a small amount of freeze dried brine shrimp for the first time last Sunday, and I haven't again since then.

Thank you!

[diademhill]

In a 2.5 gallon tank with not filter and only 30% water change a week there has to be ammonia present.

Take another sample to test and then do a 60% change and repeat this for three days - then 20 % daily for a week. Then 30% twice a week at least.

When you test do you really shake the bottles first?

What water treatments are you using?

[haedcase]

I used a strip test and it always came back zero. Today I purchased a Seachem Ammonia Alert thing, and at the moment it also says the ammonia is at a safe level. Although it does say it could take a few days for it to get used to the water, so I'll keep an eye on it.

My water treatment is Top Fin dechlorinator. I will do a water change for now though and increase my changes in the future. Hopefully it will help.

[diademhill]

The strip tests are not reliable.
Your alert will take a few days to work but keep up the changes as no ammonia is the aim.

[haedcase]

I thought I would post back with an update now that it's been a few days. Since I started doing the increased water changes, he has gradually been getting more active, and today he's swimming around like he did when I first got him, so it seems like the ammonia was the problem. I will continue with daily changes for the next week, and then do changes twice a week instead of only once.

Thank you for the help.

[emilykrys]

[nikelodeon79]

If you do not have a filter, you will need to do 100% water changes in order to keep the ammonia and nitrite levels down.

Alternatively, get a slightly larger tank (5 gallons would be perfect) and a filter with an adjustable flow. I personally like Duetto50s (NOT the "mini" version, as the flow is way too high and you cannot adjust it). I replace the carbon in the Duetto with my own media (you can use tiny ceramic cylinders or Efisubstrat by Eheim), and the filter is pretty much good for life: no need to change media, ever. Just swish it in used tank water every 6 months or so.

The heater is definitely a must with bettas, and I'd raise that temp to 80*F. Bettas really do like it warm.

A few low light plants would also be appreciated by your betta, and they will help with water quality.
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[needabiggertank]

I've been keeping bettas for years. I've never used heaters or filters with no problems. Room temp should be fine. If you do 100% water change with prime every couple weeks that should keep him happy. Bettas aren't very active as it is so I wouldn't expect a whole lot of movement all the time. If you think about it the fish stores don't use heaters or any specific treatment except a bowl and a shelf. These guys are very hardy. Hope this helps.

[nikelodeon79]

[Suzie Q]

Old thread, but I have been AFK/MIA...what ever you want to call it