Betta Behavior Change- Do I Need To Worry?

[Morphkid03]

Alright, I'm posting here because the length of time this has gone on is worrying me.

To give you an idea of what type of tank we're looking at, I have a 5 gallon eclipse tank, heated and filtered. Tank runs on an in-water Whisper set to the lowest flow. Oliver, my betta, is kept company by two cory catfish (and I do realize they need to be in a larger number for the ideal shoal. These are my roommate's cories that she bought). The tank has been cycled and has had fish in it for around a month. Unfortunately I do not have any PH or nitrate measuring equipment at the moment. Temperature hovers around 78 degrees F.

I have owned Oliver for around a month. The first 2-2.5 weeks he was swimming around, eagerly exploring his tank and keeping the cories in check . Last week I noticed him slowly making his way to the bottom and hanging out there. I figured he was exhausted (we had midterms that week so there was a lot going on, and Oliver loves to follow people and watch them so I figured he was just tuckered out). However he has continued this behavior and I am growing increasingly concerned. He swims around easily and has a good appetite, but I'm worried about him due to the lethargy I am noticing. The cories are not behaving this way. I did not see bloating but fasted him for a day. I will be feeding him pea either today or tomorrow.

Along with this, the water has become a bit cloudy. I am changing the water around 25% once a week, but have increased it to 20% twice a week. I just finished doing the first cleaning of this week and do not see a change in the water quality as of now. Do you think this could be contributing to Oliver's behavior?

Any help is appreciated! Thanks!

 

[WILDER]

Need to get water stats as bad water quality can make fish ill as the stress of it weakens there immune system.
I would take a sample of your tank water to the lfs and tell them to write the readings down for you.
Soak his flakes in garlic juice as that boost there immune system.
Does he look pale or darker in colour.
Is he resting on things in the tank.

 

[Morphkid03]

Need to get water stats as bad water quality can make fish ill as the stress of it weakens there immune system.
I would take a sample of your tank water to the lfs and tell them to write the readings down for you.
Soak his flakes in garlic juice as that boost there immune system.
Does he look pale or darker in colour.
Is he resting on things in the tank.

I'll try to get transportation to our LFS as soon as I can (I am a college student with no car which makes it hard)
His color looks the same
He swims around the tank a bit then swims to the floor and hangs out, either in his cave or under one of the plants.

 

[WILDER]

It could be bad water quality, constipation.
Have you fed the peas yet.
Or bacterial infection.

 

[Morphkid03]

It could be bad water quality, constipation.
Have you fed the peas yet.
Or bacterial infection.

To make water quality better, what do you suggest?
Peas haven't been fed, will feed tonight.
He's much more active today, acting more like his usual self.

 

[WILDER]

I would do water changes till you know your water stats.
Cloudy tank its a bacterial bloom soon disappears when the filter matures.
Cloudy water can also mean over feeding and lack of maintance.
I would say increase aeration but betta don't like strong currents, or add an airstone and turn the flow down to low.
http/www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/cloudywt.htm

 

[Morphkid03]

I would do water changes till you know your water stats.
Cloudy tank its a bacterial bloom soon disappears when the filter matures.
Cloudy water can also mean over feeding and lack of maintance.
I would say increase aeration but betta don't like strong currents, or add an airstone and turn the flow down to low.
<a href="http/www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/cloudywt.htm" target="_blank">http/www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/cloudywt.htm</a>

Ok, will do. Is 20% a day too much or fine?
Not overfeeding, very diligent with food to make sure fish don't get fat/excess waste is left from uneaten food, being diligent with tank maintenance.
Have an airstone, can add tonight. What will that do?

 

[WILDER]

20% fine.
The airstone will help the fish breath if water quality is bad.
Good luck.