Unusual Behavior

[Morphkid03]

Hello again everyone!

Oliver has been acting differently lately, and I'm not sure why.
After I cleaned the tank this past weekend (About a 50% water change) Oliver has been spending more time low to the floor and resting next to his "plants" and in his cave. He hasn't been building bubble nets like he was just a week or two ago. However he's eating normally (ALWAYS hungry!), flaring the same, and his color and fins are the same, eyes are clear. Temperature is about 78 degrees, PH is neutral. He swims around, but definitely not as much as he has been the last few weeks.

 

[ThePiggy]

Is he breathing heavily? Look bloated? Pooping alright? Leaning to his side? Any other symptoms that could help diagnose the problem, if there is one?

 

[ReMz]

In addition to answering those questions:

How long have you had him?
What is your water changing schedule?

 

[Morphkid03]

Is he breathing heavily? Look bloated? Pooping alright? Leaning to his side? Any other symptoms that could help diagnose the problem, if there is one?

Don't see him really breathing heavily. Swimming totally fine. Doesn't look bloated, pooping fine as far as I can tell but perhaps I should fast him/give him a pea to be sure he's not constipated?, leans to his side sometimes but only when he props himself on a plant.

Food-wise he gets a wide variety. Flakes are his favorite, will not eat pellets. Gets the occasional freeze dried bloodworm, dried shrimp or tubifix worm snack (about 1x a week)

I have a suspicion he's just tired. There's been a ton of hustle and bustle going on in the room his tank is in due to college mid-terms and since he LOVES watching people and following them, I think he's a little worn down and sleepy. But that's just my random thought.

Here's some pictures I just took. Sorry they're not the highest quality- he wouldn't stop moving! Methinks he's not a fan of the camera. Does he look bloated? I personally don't think so but I could be wrong.

 

[Morphkid03]

In addition to answering those questions:

How long have you had him?
What is your water changing schedule?

Have had him for around 3 weeks or so.
Water changed 50% at about 2 weeks.

 

[ThePiggy]

How strong is the current from your filter? Perhaps that's tiring him out?

 

[Morphkid03]

How strong is the current from your filter? Perhaps that's tiring him out?

Tank's filter is a Whisper, does not create a very strong current, so I don't think that is an issue.

 

[ReMz]

How strong is the current from your filter? Perhaps that's tiring him out?

Honestly can't believe you beat me to it. I saw the pics and that was my first thought.

His fins seem to be moving around quite a bit from the pics and the current appears strong from the visible bubbles.

My first inclination would be to wrap some pantyhose around the filter inlet to reduce the flow. Whisper makes several filters, and I've owned a few of them. If it has adjustable flow, make sure it is turned down all the way. If it's a 10i, you most certainly need to reduce the flow.

Also, was this tank cycled? If not, ammonia levels and nitrite levels may have spiked... hence lethargic sort of behavior.

edit: what is the tank size?

 

[liz2]

I would deffo. not feed him for a day or two. Give him a cooked shelled pea if you can. Smidge of aqua salt in the water might help. Best way to see if he is just tired is to show him a mirror, a sick betta will just ignore the mirror a well one with threaten it!

 

[Morphkid03]

How strong is the current from your filter? Perhaps that's tiring him out?

Honestly can't believe you beat me to it. I saw the pics and that was my first thought.

His fins seem to be moving around quite a bit from the pics and the current appears strong from the visible bubbles.

My first inclination would be to wrap some pantyhose around the filter inlet to reduce the flow. Whisper makes several filters, and I've owned a few of them. If it has adjustable flow, make sure it is turned down all the way. If it's a 10i, you most certainly need to reduce the flow.

Also, was this tank cycled? If not, ammonia levels and nitrite levels may have spiked... hence lethargic sort of behavior.

edit: what is the tank size?

Alright, let me look at it tomorrow after class. I will pop off the filter and see how the flow is adjusted and try to figure something out with the filter inlet. I do not believe this is a 10i but I will double check. The filter has not been making this much bubbles until now- perhaps that is the reason for the behavior change?
Tank was cycled (non-fish).
Tank is 5 gallons with Oliver and 2 cory catfish.

Thanks!

UPDATE: Just checked before heading to bed- the filter is a Whisper Internal Micro Filter

 

[Morphkid03]

Popped the filter out to check what the current setting was- it was on the strongest setting! I put it on the lowest output and all seems to be well.

Should I feed him a pea just for good measure?

 

[ibbledibble]

Popped the filter out to check what the current setting was- it was on the strongest setting! I put it on the lowest output and all seems to be well.

Should I feed him a pea just for good measure?

maybe it got knocked when you were doing the water change? it seems likely that was the problem, but keep a close watch on him for a few days, just to make sure.

he doesn't look constipated, so feeding the pea is entirely up to you, but lots of members on here feed it once a week or so as part of the normal diet, just to maintain health, so it won't hurt to do so

fingers crossed he gets better now

 

[Morphkid03]

Popped the filter out to check what the current setting was- it was on the strongest setting! I put it on the lowest output and all seems to be well.

Should I feed him a pea just for good measure?

maybe it got knocked when you were doing the water change? it seems likely that was the problem, but keep a close watch on him for a few days, just to make sure.

he doesn't look constipated, so feeding the pea is entirely up to you, but lots of members on here feed it once a week or so as part of the normal diet, just to maintain health, so it won't hurt to do so

fingers crossed he gets better now

That's probably the case.
I'll see if I can pick up some peas, I'd really like for him to have one so I can be at ease.

 

[ThePiggy]

How strong is the current from your filter? Perhaps that's tiring him out?

Honestly can't believe you beat me to it. I saw the pics and that was my first thought...

Gotta be quick on the draw to beat me! hehehe

 

[Morphkid03]

How strong is the current from your filter? Perhaps that's tiring him out?

Honestly can't believe you beat me to it. I saw the pics and that was my first thought...

Gotta be quick on the draw to beat me! hehehe

Nice one.