Betta Help

[MattsBettaFish]

Hey guys, 
 
I've had my betta for a while and I've been keeping him in a small 1 gallon tank and have decided to upgrade to a 5.5 gallon tank. I've been informed a number of different things about betta's and getting them into new tanks, and I don't really know what to believe right now. The point of this post is that my betta is not doing well. I was told he could go into the 5.5g tank without it needing to cycle, so I tried that but he hasn't been doing well so as of now he is back in his 1g tank. His 5.5g tank has aquarium salt, water softener, and I have just introduced a TopFin bacteria supplement to try and kickstart the cycling so that he can get in. My fish is lethargic, barely eating and just sits at the bottom of the tank. I know that these are signs of disease and infection, but I have also heard that some betta's can just be like that, and its hard to tell if my betta was or is because of how small his previous tank was, there wasn't a ton of room to swim. His water is at 80 degrees with a heater and a filter. I am looking for advice as to how to proceed because I want my little guy to be happy and healthy. Any input is appreciated. I will actively reply to any responses that require further information. 
 
Thanks!

 

[MattsBettaFish]

Just some added information, 
 
I brought my water from the 5.5g tank into my local PetSmart because I suspected something was wrong with my water (as I didn't cycle it at all) and I was expecting to get advice as to how to proceed. To my surprise, the associate told me everything was okay with my water, leaving me in an odd spot. The water I tested was taken before I put in the bacterial supplement. 

 

[cowgirluntamed]

What do you mean by water softener? Do you mean conditioner? I wouldnt use aquarium salt either. Most of the time fish just need really clean water to get better. I would invest in a test kit(api freshwater master test kit is recommended). Then you can test the water yourself and post results here. Did you get any numbers from petsmart or did they just say that it was ok? Sometimes what they say as "ok" really isn't. What kind of filter so you have on the 5.5 gallon? And on the small one too. How is your water change schedule on the small one? And did you put the bigger tank up to 80 as well on the temp?


And he could just be stressed out from the move. He's not used to a bigger tank so it might tank some time.Could just be a few days. Do you have any live plants in the bigger one? Those help. Did he only start this behavior when added to the bigger tank?

 

[MattsBettaFish]

Yes sorry I meant water conditioner. At PetSmart they used a test strip and told me it was okay, I didn't get any numbers. I use a TopFin 120 volt 60hz filter for both, with some modifications made to make it so there's not a huge current pushing him around. I used to change the water on the 1g once every week. The 5.5g tank is up to around 80-81 degrees. I have no live plants at the moment because I don't have the equipment to support one but he has silk plants and decor to swim through and hide in. His behavior wasn't this bad. He was a happy little fish for most of the time in his 1g tank but lately he's seemed to be sad at the bottom of his tank, and I wanted to upgrade anyways so I got the 5.5g tank. After I put him in, I would never see him because he would be hidden in his decor and he wouldn't come up to eat and would just sit at the bottom hidden. He seemed very unhappy and his fins were wilty and sad. Right now he's back in his 1g tank and he actually seems a little bit happier. Should I attempt to put him back in his 5.5g tank? I'm thinking maybe the way he was acting was just because of stress but I don't know for sure. 

 

[cowgirluntamed]

Hmm...it could just be from stress. I think if it was me, I'd leave him in the 1 gallon for a few days to see if he perks up better. Make sure he eats good. During this time I would change the water in the 5.5 to get the salt out. You basically have to replace the entire amount of water because the salt won't go away otherwise. Then, if he seems to be doing good in 2 or 3 days, go ahead and move him over. Make sure everything in both tanks are the same(temp etc). Then I would give him a few days to see if he gets used to it. It could possibly be that you have a betta that is more comfortable in a small area. Some just get stressed out in bigger spaces. Someone warned me about that the other day because I want to upgrade from 5.5 to a 10. So leave the 1 gallon going until you know either way.

 

[NickAu]

Constantly netting a fish and putting him in a new tank stresses the fish out no wonder hes hiding.
 

 
. At PetSmart they used a test strip and told me it was okay

 
Most Petxxxx employees wouldn't know their elbow from their backside, Heres a tip Ok means nothing, You may have .5 ammonia yet to Petxxx employees thats OK. The only safe level is zero.
 
 

 
water softener,

Please dont tell me you are using something like PH down? If you are throw it in the bin the stuff is garbage.
 

 
I was told he could go into the 5.5g tank without it needing to cycle,

Technically that is correct, BUT you need a water test kit so you can test for ammonia on a daily basis and change water as needed.
 

 
My fish is lethargic, barely eating and just sits at the bottom of the tank. I know that these are signs of disease and infection,

Personally I think its high ammonia levels.
 

 
but I have also heard that some betta's can just be like that,

Who ever told you that hasnt got a clue about bettas

 

[NickAu]

Sorry mods used up my limit of quotes.
 

I used to change the water on the 1g once every week.

With a 1 g, you should be doing 50% daily or overy second day until the tank is cycled
 

aquarium salt,

IMo this is not needed, and how much are you using?