Is Eric Ok Please?

[jaycat]

hi, can you answer a few questions for me please. My partner has a betta but i've never kept one before, and he looks ill to me. He's in 5 gallon tank, heated but no filter as we took it out, he built a nest the first day, and when the filter went in, he would not build nest again so we took it out.

He's eating ok, but he seems very quiet to me. he stays on the bottom alot, or in his plant pot. Is this normal?

PH 7.5
amonia 0.25
nitrite 0.5
nitrate 30

Have done 50% water change, and do 20% every other day.

Is he ok on the bottom?

No visible signs of illness
Thanks

 

[Netty]

Hi
Ok, i think by those water stats you have a problem.

You need to get the Ammonia and nitrIte to 0 or as near as you can. The nitrAte could do with coming down too. A 70% water change should get them down as long as your tap water nitrAte isn't high anyway.

Your fish probably stopped building the nest when the filter was in because of water movement rather than him being ill.

So, I would do 70% change and check your tap water nitrAte

Cheers

 

[jaycat]

trate in my tropical is same, but amonia and nitrite are 0 in the tropical.I use the same water for both. Should I do another big change tonight, or tomorrow am? Done 50% already, not sure if I can get new water to be same temp.
thanks

 

[Netty]

Hi
Forgot to say, Its quite ok to not use a filter as long as you keep up the water changes

Once you get your stats more level see if he perks up a bit

Have you got anything else in with him?

 

[jaycat]

nothing else with him.

 

[Netty]

trate in my tropical is same, but amonia and nitrite are 0 in the tropical.I use the same water for both. Should I do another big change tonight, or tomorrow am? Done 50% already, not sure if I can get new water to be same temp.
thanks

IMO I would do another 50% then. I personally use both hot and cold water from the taps and dechlorinate it, pinch the thermometer out the tank to match the temp

Hope this helps

 

[jaycat]

Thank you.

 

[jaycat]

hi, got al water stats down to zero now, and added moss ball for nitrate, now at 20. Eric still more on bottom of tank. Have been reading forum could he be constipated?
If so would live worms help him? Got some today for tropicals and have been giving them to him.
Normally his diet is pellets and frozen, twice a week live bloodworm.
Do some just rest more on bottom of tank?

Thanks, fretful mum!!