My Betta Is Hanging Around The Top Of The Tank

[Maddycat]

Hi,
 
I am worried my Betta is sick. I am new to fish and he has been hanging around the top of the tank for nearly two days. He occasionally goes for a swim, but then goes and rests on the top of the heater which the part he rests on is near the waters edge so he doesnt have to swim to go to the surface.
 
I moved him to a bigger tank yesterday, not sure where I went wrong. He has 2 snails in with him, I wonder if they carried something to make him sick, or with the fresh water which I added the Water Ager has started to get a little cloudy already. he has no filter, I think I will get him a filter today. When I first moved him he was swimming around like mad, I read that its normal as he had lots of freedom to stretch out. Surely he just cannot be exhausted from that. He didn't eat this morning either.
 
Not sure what to do, any advice.

 

[BerryAttack]

you didn't cycle the tank.. so he has gotten ammonia/nitrate etc. poisoning.. you must cycle your tank fish before adding in fish, which i find is the most animal friendly way.
 
get a filter going, and look on the fourm for ways to do a now fish in cycle. 

 

[Ninjouzata]

I know it's rather obvious in it's location but just incase, at the top of the page you should be able to find 'Cycling a tank', go ahead and read that although it is for fishless cycling it will let you know a little more about what is going on.
Or here is the link: http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/421488-cycling-your-new-fresh-water-tank-read-this-first/
Oh and what size is his new tank?
I just remembered your other threads, have you been doing the water changes?

 

[Maddycat]

Hi,
 
His new tank is 15 litres, I have just come back from the pet store and they think he is either cold thats why he is hanging at the top or just resting. I am putting in a sponge filter today and also taking a sample of water to be tested.

 

[frapadoodle]

Well other than poor water conditions, Bettas will hang out near the surface.
They do gather oxygen from the air. As well those long fins are kind of like trying to swim while wearing a bedsheet, so it does get wearying.

 

[Wildbetta]

If you do not have a heater in his tank -- he is cold.  Bettas need the temperature to be kept stable at 78F - 82F for them to stay healthy and active.  I would not expect him to eat for a couple of days if you just moved him to another tank.  It takes some of them a little while to get used to things before starting to eat again. Hanging at the surface is often a sign of water issues so you definitely need to check your water or at the very least do a 50% water change and make sure the new clean water is nice and warm.

 

[Maddycat]

I put a sponge filter in and he seems to be swimming around more today. He had me worried. It's hard when you are new to fish. He's tempreture is around 26. He played with a betta pellet this morning and eventually ate it. 
 
Thank you for all your support everyone.

 

[datriya]

Hi,
 
I am worried my Betta is sick. I am new to fish and he has been hanging around the top of the tank for nearly two days. He occasionally goes for a swim, but then goes and rests on the top of the heater which the part he rests on is near the waters edge so he doesnt have to swim to go to the surface.
 
I moved him to a bigger tank yesterday, not sure where I went wrong. He has 2 snails in with him, I wonder if they carried something to make him sick, or with the fresh water which I added the Water Ager has started to get a little cloudy already. he has no filter, I think I will get him a filter today. When I first moved him he was swimming around like mad, I read that its normal as he had lots of freedom to stretch out. Surely he just cannot be exhausted from that. He didn't eat this morning either.
 
Not sure what to do, any advice.

 
Hi,
 
don't be worried for this case. Please you change the water, and give with the pure once.
Please give only 1/3 from your tank
and please you had to warm your bettas in the early sun rise. with 1/3 water for next 3 day (please changing twice a week)
after that please put a slice of ketappa leaf (dried of Indian almond leaf) on your betta tank.
and let see the condition after 2 days. and you can add water to tank gradually. and see your bettas would go for swim
 
regards
Dana