I'm new to fish so forgive my lack of knowledge! *cower*

I've done a lot of reading about them and decided I wanted a betta. I live in an out-of-the way place and my store didn't have a lot to choose from for bettas. I actually ended up picking the one I had because I suspected he had a swim bladder problem and was abhorred at how the store was treating them! So I brought him home, prepared a tank for him (2 gallon-ish) and he seemed to perk right up with more room.

I bought a little plant for him (silk kind for fins) because there wasn't anything that was the right size and not made of plastic with sharp edges and whatnot. It just so happens that this little plant thing has a foamy/plastic lily pad that floats on the top of the water.

I've had him for just short of a week, and he still seems to have some issues with swim bladder? He would just sink to the bottom, head floating up, bottom acting like an anchor. And swim up when he needed air. Recently (since yesterday, I've noticed) he jumps ONTO the lily pad so half of him is out of the water just... floating there.

I'm unsure if he is tired of trying to swim up for air, there is something severely wrong with him, or he is just an odd fish. Can anyone give me some thoughts?

Awww, poor little guy
Is his tank heated? Get a small good heater (one that shuts off and comes on automatically) and one that has a dial that you can adjust to the right temp.
He might perk up more when the temp is closer to around 80F.
Also, if you don't have a filter, you'll have to do frequent water changes. At the very least imo in an unfiltered tank, once a week. But personally I would go with twice a week.
If there is a filter, you'll need to buy some liquid water testers. One for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. You're going to have to test your water frequently b/c your tank is going to start cycling and you'll have to stay on top of water changes to keep ammonia and nitrite down.

How often are you feeding him? What are you feeding him and how much? Maybe try reducing the amount you give him and fasting him for a day each week.
Also a small piece of a cooked, deshelled pea will help clear his system.

Stick with Amunet; she's steering you right.

in answer to why he is getting half onto the lilly pad, it because that way he doesn't have to struggle up for air, it might pay to lower the water level to make it easier for him.

are you treating him for swimbladder?

This post has been edited by devon_charm: Apr 16 2008, 04:55 PM

It might be mean but I find his behavior rather comical. What an odd thing for a fish to do!

The tank is not heated and I'll admit I'm a little wary of getting a heater for such a small tank (even if it is supposed to shut off automatically ) but I will definitely look into it.

I don't have a problem with doing frequent water changes. He's already had two since I got him so I don't think it is the water?

The first couple days I had him I didn't feed him anything because I suspected he was having swim bladder problems. Then I tried a little pinch of flakes but he was completely disinterested in them. I read a lot about the pellets and bloodworms and was lucky enough to find those so I gave him 4 and the first day with pellets he completely ignored them. The second day he tried them munched a little and spit them back out. I've chanced giving him 2 (pellets) in the morning and evening since then. I suspect he hasn't eaten them but it can be hard to tell with the stones I have in there.

When I clean the tank today I may get rid of the stones so I can keep an eye on uneaten food and possible poo easier. I'll also try the pea thing. I'm assuming I should stop feeding him anything else for a couple days after?