Jonah Refuses To Eat!

[cherryluva7]

I have four bettas and all of them will devour their pellets except Jonah. They are TopFin Color Enhancing Betta Bits. I also feed them freeze dried bloodworms every few days as a special treat.

I've now had Jonah for 15 days (1 day past the 14 day warranty at PetSmart) and he has only eaten one pellet the whole time! I know bettas can supposedly go for a month without eating, but I really don't want to find out. I'm thinking of trying frozen bloodworms now. Do you think something is wrong with him? What else can I do for him if he doesn't like the frozen?

 

[ThePiggy]

Firstly, he needs a bigger tank. At least 3 gallons, preferably 5 or more. This goes for all of your bettas if they are not already in tanks of this size.
Next, please answer these:

What do you treat your water with:
Water change amount:
Water change schedule:
Water temp:
PH:
Ammonia:
Nitrite:
Nitrate:

With this information will help determine possible problems.
Thanks

 

[tibby25731]

I am not surprised he isn't eating! You cannot keep a betta happily in that! He doesn't have anywhere near enough room! Also, how many times have you changed the water since getting him? You would need to do a wtaer change every other day i would think to keep the water levels safe for him.
Yeah, try frozen bloodworm, but I think he has lost his appetite due to the tiny bowl you are keeping him in Please consider hetting him a larger home, or rehoming him with someone who can give him a larger home.

 

[Netty]

Absolutely agree with ThePiggy and Tibby. That bowl is way too small for him, he hardly has room to move. Please take on board the advice given and I'm sure he will perk up no end once in a bigger more suitable tank.

 

[Honeythorn]

Ditto, that pot is horrendous.

If you can't afford or get hold of a normal glass tank right now, then go to the nearest hardware store and grab a clear plastic storage bin that's at least 12 inches long and wide, and at least 8 inches in height/depth. A bigger one than that would be even better. Set that up the same way you would an ordinary tank,

Fill it with dechlorinated tapwater , some small size gravel, or you can leave the bottom bare to make it easier to clean if you like .

Add some silk false plants , and plenty of them for the fish to hide in, and also rest on as they are weak swimmers and like plenty of hiding places.

Get a 25 watt heater and set it to 27 degrees C ( no it won't burn the plastic ) as bettas are tropical fish, and the ambient temperature of the room will not be anywhere near warm enough no matter how warm you think your house is.

You will also need to get a sponge filter, you can get these pretty cheaply , and they are run by an air pump , they create little to no current and are excellent for bettas. A filter will also help to keep the waste in your bettas water lower, as the bacteria that grow in it will consume waste.

You will need to change 50% of the water each week and replace it with fresh dechlorinated water.

The glass pot you have him in now is not designed for fish no matter how much it may be marketed to say so. They are a gimmick and a novelty, and a horribly cruel one at that. The people who designed and make them have absolutely no idea how fish should be kept alive and healthy. They are simply a moneymaker and fish killer.

 

[ThePiggy]

I hope we didn't scare cherryluva7 away with all this.

We aren't trying to scold you and tell you what a bad fish owner you are.. we are trying to advise you on how to keep your fish healthy and happy. Please, take all of this advice and use it. Your fish will be happier and you will be too once you see how grateful they are.