My Betta Isn't Doing Good.

[goldfish98]

I just got home from school and the tank water was VERY cloudy, and the little guy won't even look at me. I try to look at him and he swims away. I take it that this is due to ammonia? 

 

[attibones]

Please move your fish to the ten gallon. He'll be much more comfortable with the extra water to dilute the amount of ammonia in there. You'll also be able to keep him at a comfortable temperature.

 

[McCool]

Do you have a test kit? I would test and then do atleast a 50% water change and see if he perks up at all. Can you give us more info on the tank he's in?

Please move your fish to the ten gallon. He'll be much more comfortable with the extra water to dilute the amount of ammonia in there. You'll also be able to keep him at a comfortable temperature.

+1 on this. Is he in something small now?

 

[attibones]

In a 2.5 gallon, do 100% water change.

 

[goldfish98]

Hate to say it, but putting one tiny fish in a 10 gallon won't go over well with my mom. She thinks its a waste of tank space to have only one thing in. 

 

[McCool]

Hate to say it, but putting one tiny fish in a 10 gallon won't go over well with my mom. She thinks its a waste of tank space to have only one thing in. 

You could very well have tank mates. There's a number of bottom feeders you could have. You could also split the tank into half and have two bettas, with shrimp.

 

[KieranBoyne]

I understand about the mother not being ok with having 1 fish in a 10 gallon, but just say that the fish will die if it isn't moved... And that is actually a possibility. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news buddy but you have to transport him elsewhere.

 

[goldfish98]

Well, I will see what I can do. I doubt the 10 gallon will be any better; its not cycled yet. 

 

[McCool]

Well, I will see what I can do. I doubt the 10 gallon will be any better; its not cycled yet. 

It's a tricky spot. Do you have any live plants? I think water changes are key right now, and if you do have any or can get some live plants, put those in for him. Do you have a test kit?

 

[goldfish98]

Getting a test kit today. 

 

[McCool]

Getting a test kit today. 

Definitely test later. The API liquid kits are good if you can get it. All you can do now is a water change and keep an eye on him.

 

[attibones]

The thing about the ten gallon being uncycled is that you'll be able to do fewer water changes over the course of the week before the ammonia builds up to .5. Then, you can follow my other suggestions made in your other thread about adding pygmy corydoras, snails, and possibly shrimp to your tank to make it a community. If your betta is particularly mild-mannered, you may be able to try other species as well.

 

[goldfish98]

Going to the store in about 20 minutes. 

 

[sawickib]

If your 2.5 isnt cycled either, then it would be much better for him to be in the 10 gallon. If the 2.5 is cycled then move the filter media over with him.

 

[McCool]

If your 2.5 isnt cycled either, then it would be much better for him to be in the 10 gallon. If the 2.5 is cycled then move the filter media over with him.

+1
The smaller body of water, the quicker the ammonia and nitrite will build up.