I'm a college student, and hadn't really thought about it until now... I've never owned a betta before this guy... so I'm still not completely sure what's "normal" and what's not. And at first, I thought it was just age... but... I was on another forum and noticed some other bettas... and how different in behavior they were from mine. I mean... mine has never been very active... but recently I've noticed that he's been FAR less active... and almost in pain... and weak... or something. Nothing external, no bloating, etc. He's still eating, just very lethargic. He swims really fast to get a breath of air, or to eat, and then sinks back down to the tank, with a curved body. He's not clamping his fins... but he doesn't look happy.
I found this list of questions on a blog... so I'll answer it all:
1. How long have you had your betta?
I bought him in March/April of 2011. I don't exactly remember. So around 7-8 months.
2. What is the water volume or tank size?
5 gallons
3. Is this a betta bowl or an aquarium with a filter?
5 gallon aquarium with a filter and heater.
4. Have you tested for Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate? What were the results?
Not ammonia because the ammonia in this area is very low to none.
Nitrite - around 0
Nitrate - around 0
5. Have you tested for pH, kh and gh? What were the results?
pH - it was at the 8.4... which probably means it's too basic... how do I make it more acidic?
kh - it was at 300... too high...
gh - it was at the 300... too hard...
6. What is the water temperature?
Over the course of a couple days it goes between 76 and 80... mostly around 78 though.
7. How often do you change your tank water? How much water do you replace at a time?
To be honest... I haven't changed the water as often I normally used to. When I first got him, and before I got to college I changed it every two or three weeks, 50 or 70% water change.
8. Are there other fish in the tank with your betta? Which species and how many? When were they added?
No other fish. I got him a snail once... the poor thing was dead with a cracked shell in one day.
9. How often do you feed your betta? What types of food are you using? How much are you feeding each time?
I feed about five pellets. It's Aqueon Betta Food that I got at Petsmart a while back. I got it because the pellets were much smaller than what he first had, and he likes it better... and I also feed a couple freeze dried blood worms once a week... and normal feedings are twice a day with one fast day a week (generally Sundays).
10. What water additives and medications are you using? Remember to include water conditioners or salt if you’re using them.
Only water additive is Jungle Start Right water conditioner. He had some ich a few months ago and I had added some rock salt to the water... and it cleared up.
So yeah... after going through all of those... I'm guessing it's probably the water quality. What do y'all suggest I use to fix it? Should I continue with what I'm feeding?
I found this list of questions on a blog... so I'll answer it all:
1. How long have you had your betta?
I bought him in March/April of 2011. I don't exactly remember. So around 7-8 months.
2. What is the water volume or tank size?
5 gallons
3. Is this a betta bowl or an aquarium with a filter?
5 gallon aquarium with a filter and heater.
4. Have you tested for Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate? What were the results?
Not ammonia because the ammonia in this area is very low to none.
Nitrite - around 0
Nitrate - around 0
5. Have you tested for pH, kh and gh? What were the results?
pH - it was at the 8.4... which probably means it's too basic... how do I make it more acidic?
kh - it was at 300... too high...
gh - it was at the 300... too hard...
6. What is the water temperature?
Over the course of a couple days it goes between 76 and 80... mostly around 78 though.
7. How often do you change your tank water? How much water do you replace at a time?
To be honest... I haven't changed the water as often I normally used to. When I first got him, and before I got to college I changed it every two or three weeks, 50 or 70% water change.
8. Are there other fish in the tank with your betta? Which species and how many? When were they added?
No other fish. I got him a snail once... the poor thing was dead with a cracked shell in one day.
9. How often do you feed your betta? What types of food are you using? How much are you feeding each time?
I feed about five pellets. It's Aqueon Betta Food that I got at Petsmart a while back. I got it because the pellets were much smaller than what he first had, and he likes it better... and I also feed a couple freeze dried blood worms once a week... and normal feedings are twice a day with one fast day a week (generally Sundays).
10. What water additives and medications are you using? Remember to include water conditioners or salt if you’re using them.
Only water additive is Jungle Start Right water conditioner. He had some ich a few months ago and I had added some rock salt to the water... and it cleared up.
So yeah... after going through all of those... I'm guessing it's probably the water quality. What do y'all suggest I use to fix it? Should I continue with what I'm feeding?
) at once.
/s278.photobucket.com/albums/kk87/Serbrider/Glorfindel/
) I take out a gallon or two and replace it with fresh treated water. I test often and never have ever had a problem.
! I would say back off the feeding a bit, and give him some regular exercise. Hold a mirror up to the side for like 5/10 minutes a day. Get him all worked up and his blood pumpin'!
