Lethargic Betta Laying On Gravel

[victorybear]

I have found so much conflicting information on Bettas while doing research on care. I read/was told by my LFS that it was ok to introduce a Betta into an uncycled tank as long as the water was regularly tested and I added some SafeStart as well. I thought I did everything right. I dechlorinated the water, waited 24 hours, floated the fish bag, added SafeStart, and then added the Betta. The temp of the water's about 80 degrees, and I tested the water and everything seemed ok. The ammonia seemed a little high, but when I tested the strips in a glass of tap water I got the same results. (???) Nonetheless, I added a couple drops of Amquel+ to the tank with hopes that the Betta would be less stressed. Right now he's laying on the gravel. Every so often he moves to a different location, and very rarely swims to the surface for air. Is he just resting? I am so worried.

 

[always4lora]

Get rid of the test strips theyre useless, get a liquid test kit from somone like api theyre more accurate. You shouldnt have any ammonia in your tank. As for research you must of come accross some articles telling you how to cyle your tank? the whol leave for 24hours thing is rubbish.
So what i would do :
Get a decent test kit (my cost a fair bit compared to the strips but last for ages and accurate!)

Test the water coming out of the tap if theres ammonia contact the water board as there shoulnd't be.
Test the water in the tank, if it's got ammonia change the water
Test the water again and if ammonia still present change it yet again.

You get the picture what i did when i was in the same situation as you is change the water a couple of times a day for about 2 weeks by this time the filter was cycled and the fish were relativly healthy,.

 

[WILDER]

I agree with the above poster.

Keep doing water changes and increase aeration.
If only the betta in the tank add some salt.

How many gallons is the tank?

Test strip cards are not accurate. Liquid test kits are the best.

I would go to tropical discussion and ask if somebody can donate you a mature filter sponge.

 

[victorybear]

Thanks always4lora and WILDER,

He seems to be doing better this morning and is more responsive. However, he's still a little shy. Maybe he's still getting used to the 10 gallon tank compared to the tiny cup he's been in at the pet store? What you guys are saying make sense. I'll go out and get a kit to more accurately read the water. In the meantime, I'll do daily water changes. Thanks again, guys!

Another thing... Another forum member recommended me putting in plants (I assume live ones) to help the water. What do you guys think?

 

[WILDER]

The tank size is good for a betta. Some would say it's to big lol.
Is there only the betta in the tank?

Depends on your lighting for live plants i'm afraid.

 

[victorybear]

The tank size is good for a betta. Some would say it's to big lol.
Is there only the betta in the tank?

Depends on your lighting for live plants i'm afraid.

Yeah, there's only him. He seems to enjoy exploring right now, but keeps on taking little breaks. I don't think his muscles are used to swimming this much.

With live plants, does it just depend on how bright the light is, or are there other factors as well?

 

[WILDER]

I don't know much about live plants as I have never bothered with them myself.
Post in the plant section of the forum you will get more help over there.

If he dosn't seem to have any energy get back to the board.

Also soak his food in garlic juice to boost his immune system/

 

[bassbonediva]

Your betta will LOVE live plants. I don't use fake anymore because live plants do so much more for your tank and look so much better.

I would use Prime instead of Amquel+. Prime makes it so the ammonia isn't toxic to your fish, but keeps the ammonia available to the beneficial bacteria to use. As far as I know, it's the only product on the market that does so.

I believe you AREN'T supposed to do water changes for the first week while using Tetra SafeStart. I would read the directions on the bottle very carefully as going against the instructions will render the TSS useless (and an expensive useless as well).

 

[victorybear]

Will do, WILDER. Thanks.

@bassbonediva
Prime, eh? Sounds good! I'll look into that.

Plants do seem good. Kitty Kat gave me some plant advice in a different thread, so I may look into doing that in the near future. For now though, I'm a bit overwhelmed with my current duties, so I'll probably just use plastic plants for now.

The instructions on the back of the SafeStart were vague at best. I figured you probably shouldn't add de-chlorinaters or change the water, but thought it'd be better to save the fish from possible ammonia poisoning than save the bacteria.

 

[bassbonediva]

The thing is, without the bacteria, your fish is going to keep suffering from ammonia poisoning.

Also, plants are great because they will help eat the ammonia and nitrites.

I used to use Tetra AquaSafe for my water conditioner, but finally broke down and bought a bottle of Prime. LOVE the stuff! 2 drops per gallon makes it totally worth it.

 

[victorybear]

The thing is, without the bacteria, your fish is going to keep suffering from ammonia poisoning.

Also, plants are great because they will help eat the ammonia and nitrites.

I used to use Tetra AquaSafe for my water conditioner, but finally broke down and bought a bottle of Prime. LOVE the stuff! 2 drops per gallon makes it totally worth it.

Even if the ammonia reads 0? I'd really hate to have my fish suffer.

Also, just as a side note, these are what I was using to test the water...
http/www.amazon.com/JUNGLE-AMMONIA-NO-VIAL-25/dp/B0002APUN0/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1288637106&sr=1-6

http/www.amazon.com/Quick-Test-Strips-Count-Tk880/dp/B001URZNPO/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1288637106&sr=1-7


Would you recommend this instead?
http/www.amazon.com/Mars-Fishcare-API34-Freshwater-Master/dp/B000255NCI/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1288636847&sr=1-2-fkmr1

 

[WILDER]

I can';t help with test kits in the united states with being in the uk.
API good test kits. Apart from the nitrate one, it's not very good.

 

[victorybear]

I can';t help with test kits in the united states with being in the uk.
API good test kits. Apart from the nitrate one, it's not very good.

Good to know, thanks! As I said in another thread we've been corresponding in, my Betta's doing great now, and I'll work hard to make sure he stays that way.

 

[WILDER]

Thanks for the update.
Good Luck.