Floating Betta???

[Kara101584]

I just "rescued" another boy from the evil grasp of Wal-Mart tonight. He's sitting next to me now, I've gotten him fresh clean water with a tad bit of salt... Looks as though he is floating, and can't seem to lower himself from the top of the water... What's happening?

 

[BettaMomma]

Is he tipping over on his side?
How does his belly look?

 

[Kara101584]

Is he tipping over on his side?
How does his belly look?

Yeah, he kinda looks like he's stunned.... Like a female would after releasing eggs.

His belly looks fine.

 

[BettaMomma]

He probably is a little bit stunned from the clean water. He probably doesn't know what it is!

2 things - you dechlorinated, right? Always gotta ask.
And second - was the temp of the new water the same as what he came out of?

He could just be adjusting to his new surroundings too and maybe scared.

Does he try to swim to the bottom but float back up at all? Or is he just still up at the top?

 

[Kara101584]

He probably is a little bit stunned from the clean water. He probably doesn't know what it is!

2 things - you dechlorinated, right? Always gotta ask.
And second - was the temp of the new water the same as what he came out of?

He could just be adjusting to his new surroundings too and maybe scared.

Does he try to swim to the bottom but float back up at all? Or is he just still up at the top?

Yes, I dechlorinated.
And I floated him for 30 min before I released him into the tank.

He is just still at the top, really wiggling around and turning on his side, kinda like he can't catch his balance.

 

[BettaMomma]

Probably swim bladder issues.
Dim the lights, give him some peace and quiet and let him get a good night's rest. He's had quite a day!

You might end up medicating him, but I'd hold off on that just for now. Some good clean water and TLC might fix up his issues.

You might try a cooked, shelled, chopped pea - that might help too.