Betta Moved Into New Tank- Seems Lazy

[AceyLeigh]

Hi, I'm Acey

I moved my daughters betta fish "Wishy" into his new tank yesterday- it was a brand new tank, and the pet store said I could move him into the tank right away as long as the water temp was fine-and I moved him and all of his "old" water into the tank with him....So I did. He loves his new tank, but today, he has just been being very lazy...Laying in his little cave, and sleeping in his plants....And I just worry that I might have made him sick by moving him?? His color looks perfectly fine- vibrant, His eyes look good....And when he swims- he still has a ton of energy. He's eating fine...etc

BUT the tank we had him in before was a temporary, 1 gal tank- teeny thing, and I this one is 3 Gal so he has a lot of room, and a lot of plants to swim in....Could he just naturally be a bit lazy, and I didn't notice it before because there wasn't much room to swim around in anyways? Or could he just be adjusting to the tank?

Adina loves this fish...So I just want to be sure I'm not hurting him...I've never owned betta's before-So I went by what the pet store said....Hopefully they didn't give me bad information. But I'm afraid that they might have.

Thanks.

 

[bristlenoseitplecoman]

He is probably tired from the move or a little stressed. don't worry he should be fine.

 

[lilfishie]

Hi Acey

Welcome to the forum and the wonderful world of Bettas, i do warn you they are addictive!

Does your tank have a filter at all? (if it has make sure its on low as bettas like little current although there is the odd balls out there that love it)

Also does your tank have a heater? many stores say you can keep them in unheated/unfilted tiny tanks, a 3 Gal gives him plenty of space

It may be that he is just a lazy betta, he may be still adjusting or it may be something more.

Can you see any spots/patches anything really on him at all?

Sorry for all the questions Make sure you get some piccys of him up soon we all want to meet him

 

[AceyLeigh]

Thanks for the welcome

No, There isn't a heater. It's this tank- the people at the pet store said it was fine as it was, didn't need a heater, etc.... My link

And no, no spots- nothing out of the ordinary about his appearance

 

[AceyLeigh]

My daughter talking to Wishy, lol

 

[lilfishie]

He is beautiful Acey, and seems a big hit with your little one i would suggest getting him a heater, in the summer its not too much of a problem but he will need 1 eventually.

A small 25watt would be perfect (might be best to check ebay for 1)

 

[marieukxx]

Does it have a filter? Did your old tank have a filter? If so changing over all the old water would make no difference it's the filter media you need to change over or the tank won't be cycled. He must have a heater to keep the water at the right temp. You need to get a small heater and set it to about 28 and a thermometer so you can keep an eye on the temp. You also should get a water test kit and test for any amonia or nitrite.

beautiful tank btw

 

[AceyLeigh]

He is beautiful Acey, and seems a big hit with your little one i would suggest getting him a heater, in the summer its not too much of a problem but he will need 1 eventually.

A small 25watt would be perfect (might be best to check ebay for 1)

Thank you I am going to look for a heater...Perhaps walmart carries a small one....

 

[AceyLeigh]

Does it have a filter? Did your old tank have a filter? If so changing over all the old water would make no difference it's the filter media you need to change over or the tank won't be cycled. He must have a heater to keep the water at the right temp. You need to get a small heater and set it to about 28 and a thermometer so you can keep an eye on the temp. You also should get a water test kit and test for any amonia or nitrite.

beautiful tank btw

Thank you

No, the old tank was a tiny 1 gallon plastic thing with a handle...the pet store said it didn't need a filter or a heater- so I never got them.

I don't have a heater either- My grandfather bought the kit and the items, but he didn't know that a heater or a cleaning tube was necessary (thought they came with the kit), so I have to get a small heater and a filter still. But, where would the filter go? Does it stick with suction cups or something on the inside? The tank has NO opening at the top for anything to hang down....So I hope the filter and heater can be stuck to the inside wall. I also don't have test strips...the pet store never told me I needed ANYTHING extra for a betta...they said he was fine just in a regular tank...no additional instructions other than cleaning the water....

 

[marieukxx]

It's not really extra just for a betta, you need to test all fish tanks on a regular basis. You can buy a small filter that will stick to the inside with suction cups just like the heater will. But you will have to fish in cycle your tank then. I would suggest a liquid test kit rather than the strips which are unreliable. This is all stuff everyone should get for a fish tank not just a betta tank. If any amonia or nitrite is in the water it can kill your fish that's why you need to test for it.

 

[AceyLeigh]

It's not really extra just for a betta, you need to test all fish tanks on a regular basis. You can buy a small filter that will stick to the inside with suction cups just like the heater will. But you will have to fish in cycle your tank then. I would suggest a liquid test kit rather than the strips which are unreliable. This is all stuff everyone should get for a fish tank not just a betta tank. If any amonia or nitrite is in the water it can kill your fish that's why you need to test for it.

Well, they never told me any of this....They said Bettas didn't need ANYTHING like that...You just put them in the water and that is that. Nothing more. I asked about heaters, etc- and they said it was a waste of money So I just let it go and figured that since they were professionals, they knew best...Guess not. *sigh* Looks like I have a lot to buy this week, lol. Thanks.

 

[AceyLeigh]

This tank has an undergravel filter...or so it says.....Is THAT the same thing as a regular filter? And if not, what kind should I get? There are so many, I don't really know what to look for....Everything seems way too big....

And also, does anyone recommend a certain heater for the tank as well? I appreciate everyones help VERY much, especially since the pet store didn't explain any of this to me.....lol Thank you

 

[-FighterFishh]

This tank has an undergravel filter...or so it says.....Is THAT the same thing as a regular filter? And if not, what kind should I get? There are so many, I don't really know what to look for....Everything seems way too big....

And also, does anyone recommend a certain heater for the tank as well? I appreciate everyones help VERY much, especially since the pet store didn't explain any of this to me.....lol Thank you

I'd say go for a new filter, sometimes undergravel ones are unreliable and can clog up.

Also, when you go for your filter, you'll be putting your betta through a fish-in cycle. You'll need to read up on this (you can do so here) because ammonia will be building up, so you'll need to be making daily water changes with warm, dechlorinated water. To do this, you'll also need a test kit which can test for ammonia, nitrate and nitrite. This is just so that you can keep your eye on the levels, and also so you'll be able to tell when it's cycling

Good luck with the fishy, and keep us updated!

 

[AceyLeigh]

This tank has an undergravel filter...or so it says.....Is THAT the same thing as a regular filter? And if not, what kind should I get? There are so many, I don't really know what to look for....Everything seems way too big....

And also, does anyone recommend a certain heater for the tank as well? I appreciate everyones help VERY much, especially since the pet store didn't explain any of this to me.....lol Thank you

I'd say go for a new filter, sometimes undergravel ones are unreliable and can clog up.

Also, when you go for your filter, you'll be putting your betta through a fish-in cycle. You'll need to read up on this (you can do so here) because ammonia will be building up, so you'll need to be making daily water changes with warm, dechlorinated water. To do this, you'll also need a test kit which can test for ammonia, nitrate and nitrite. This is just so that you can keep your eye on the levels, and also so you'll be able to tell when it's cycling

Good luck with the fishy, and keep us updated!

Thanks for the link & info Geeze....I had no idea that this could hurt him...The pet store NEVER told me anything about this....They said I could move him into his new tank right away, etc, And it would be fine....I hope he survives My daughter would be heartbroken if he died. Well.... I'll give it my best shot!

 

[-FighterFishh]

"Thanks for the link & info Geeze....I had no idea that this could hurt him...The pet store NEVER told me anything about this....They said I could move him into his new tank right away, etc, And it would be fine....I hope he survives My daughter would be heartbroken if he died. Well.... I'll give it my best shot!"

You're welcome! I'm sure he'll be fine if you just keep up those water changes.
Pet shops are sometimes not very reliable for giving good info, but we'll give you information if you need to know something