Siamese Fighting Fish

[2520years]

It looks like my new Siamese Fighting Fish isn't eating. He hides away most of the day and ignores food. I expected him to go for the flake food we put in, but he rarely goes up to the top of the tank. I tried some frozen meat, I think he had some, but it was hard to see him behind the filter. None of the other fish are attacking him, it's a friendly tank, the temperature is nice and warm, and the water quality is good.

Does anyone know if he can be saved?

 

[Tempestuousfury]

Perhaps you shoudl try frozen bloodworms?

Procedure, if you do not know it, is to take a cup, put tank water in it, place in a cube (or part of a cube if you chop it up) into the water. Let it sit for a while. Then, use a turkey baster (for fish only) and grab some bloodworms, squirting it near the betta. Since most fish relish bloodworms, your betta should go for it... hopefully.

 

[Taridan]

If he doesn't, he could just be full. I know it sounds mean, but giving him a day or two without any food at all will often increase their appetite enough to where they'll be more active at grabbing the food. Also, what other fish do you have in the tank with him, and what do you feed them? He could be nibbling off of their food and getting full that way. (I know my girls always nibble off of my pleko's algea waffers.) And lastly, have you tried Betta Pellets as well? I know hikari gold makes them, not sure who else. Some Betta's just refuse to eat flakes.

 

[2520years]

I've not heard of Betta Pellets, but I'll ask my local acquarium shopkeeper.

I get a variety pack of four frozen meats, one's bloodworms and I think one is tubifex, but the stupid packaging doesn't say what's in it. I'll try bloodworm, because I tried some fluffy looking red meat which he seemed to try at least.

When I've got fish in the past that don't feed they haven't lasted the week, so I'll have to try what I can asap.

Thank you both for your help.

 

[Tempestuousfury]

When you said meat, I assumed it was beef or something like that.

Red stuff is probably blood worms. Black = tubifex. Red might also be beef heart, though. Bloodworms usually look like worms.

 

[2520years]

I've got tubifex and bloodworms sorted, so this other stuff might be beef heart. I'm hoping to go to the shop at dinnertime (where I buy the food from) so I can ask there.

 

[2520years]

The man in the shop sold me some water fleas(?) in a bag. They're live, so I'm sure no fish will be able to resist! I'll try bloodworms too. He didn't have Betta Pellets.

 

[mantis147]

How long have you had the Fighter? What fish are you keeping it with? Is it a deep tank & do you keep plants etc? Usually if they dont eat they are stressed in some way. I dont think it will be a problem with what you are feeding him, more than likely the environment. Live bloodworm is a good food to feed them though, thats what i use also the pellets from kgbettas website.

 

[2520years]

How long have you had the Fighter? What fish are you keeping it with? Is it a deep tank & do you keep plants etc? Usually if they dont eat they are stressed in some way. I dont think it will be a problem with what you are feeding him, more than likely the environment. Live bloodworm is a good food to feed them though, thats what i use also the pellets from kgbettas website.

We've had it less than a week. It's in a friendly tank, i.e. mollies, tetras, glass catfish, clown loache, sucking loache, harlequin rasboras a golden gourami. The tank is 800mm x 300mm x 300mm and has some live plants. The other fish are really happy i.e. they've been living there for between 6 months and two years and some were born there. I'll try the fleas, bloodworms and keep looking for the pellets.

 

[Taridan]

Bump for Mantis

2520years, if you don't get a reply soon you could always go to the Betta section and type this up there as well. I'm not experienced enough to say, but I think your other fish might be stressing your Betta out, even if they are 'friendly' if I remember what I've read right, Neons can be nippy, and well, it would be best to check in the betta section as to what fish are compatable tank-mates for a betta.

 

[WILDER]

Also some betta just don't like being in large tanks, i would buy him his own tank maybe a 5gal.
Also they don't like a strong current.

 

[mantis147]

How long have you had the Fighter? What fish are you keeping it with? Is it a deep tank & do you keep plants etc? Usually if they dont eat they are stressed in some way. I dont think it will be a problem with what you are feeding him, more than likely the environment. Live bloodworm is a good food to feed them though, thats what i use also the pellets from kgbettas website.

We've had it less than a week. It's in a friendly tank, i.e. mollies, tetras, glass catfish, clown loache, sucking loache, harlequin rasboras a golden gourami. The tank is 800mm x 300mm x 300mm and has some live plants. The other fish are really happy i.e. they've been living there for between 6 months and two years and some were born there. I'll try the fleas, bloodworms and keep looking for the pellets.

Sorry for the late reply!!

Male Bettas from my past experience never seem to be happy if they are kept in larger tanks with fast moving fish ie: tetras, mollies and moving water, They like to sit close to the surface in plants etc as they are surface breathers. They do a lot better in smaller tanks with very slow or no water movement. Other people may of had sucess in keeping them in larger tanks but not me! bettas originate from asia in the paddy fields where the water is still all the time and can survive in small areas of water. I would try him in a smaller tank & see if he starts eating. You could float a small tank or critter keeper in your big tank to save using a extra heater etc ive done this in the past. Let us know how he gets on!!

 

[2520years]

Okay, I'll try a critter keeper. There is a current in our tank from the filter and he is avoiding it (he reminds me of a dog with long ears sticking his head out of the car window, when his long fins are being blown around). Hopefully, this will encourage him to go to the top more often too, I'm sure he needs more oxygen.

Thanks for your help again.

 

[LittleL]

bettas dont like strong currunts are currents at all because there not the best of swimmers.... maybe that is why your betta avoids the top of the tank... to stay clear of the currunt. If i were you, i would get him a tank of his own.. im sure he would be ahppier that why..

 

[2520years]

He's settled in now. We got some big plants to disrupt the current from the filter and turned the filter more to the side. He seems a lot happier now.

Thanks for your advice.