My Betta

[Feyzai]

Hello I have a betta male. I got him 3 weeks ago. I have a 25 lt tank but no filter. He started to behave strangely today, he lies his body on floating leaves and stays there. When i first saw this morning, i though he is dead, luckly he was alive!! I cleaned the tank as it has been mentioned that waste might him behave like that. After cleaning, i kept 1/3 of the previous water. He is still doing the same. I Know he can breathe out of water but i find it strange him doing this lately. Is there anyone who has an idea on that? Might he be sick?

Thanks

 

[the_lock_man]

The problem is that he is poisoning himself, because you have no filter. All fish produce ammonia as a by-product of both metabolism and respiration - this is highly toxic, you need a biological filter to deal with this ammonia (and in time, the consequent nitrite). You need to read the green link in my signature area, this will tell you how to look after him properly.

 

[Wildbetta]

While bettas do not require a filter, it a tank of the size you have, it would make your life a bit easier if you were to add a filter and cycle the tank.  If you do not decide to add a filter, you need to do a 50% water change every other day and a full 100% water change at least once a week to keep the ammonia level down and keep him from being sick.  Also what is the temperature of your tank?  Do you have a heater?  Bettas require stable temps of no less than 78F to be healthy and active.

 

[sandyshores]

Wild bettas  naturally sleep on plants close to the surface of the water.   I wouldnt be too worried about it!