I ordered this guy online and overnighted him. From the time it said the fish was dropped off to the shipper to when I got him and opened the box he was in was 16 hours. So overall not long. Temps have been very mild so not too cold or too hot. When I opened his box he was very active. I got him into a Tupperware container with his bag water that I have used to acclimate every single fish with no issues ever. Its dedicated to floating fish in their tank to temp acclimate while they drip acclimate. I placed him Tupperware into the tank and started floating him. I did make a little bit of noise and bump his cup (very gently but enough to startle him) while adjusting the sponge filter. But basically as soon as i got him into his Tupperware bowl he just immediately started acting weird and lethargic and this was before I disturbed him a little with the filter. The sponge filter creates larger bubbles than the other kind of sponge filters I have and I was trying to adjust the line with a knot until the control valve came in the reduce the flow. It doesn't create a strong flow either. Just large noisier bubbles. This is a newer tank and it is cycled but the plants arent grown in densely yet as they were added a few days before he was. I have no light on it the tank right now and its in a low traffic area. I drip acclimated him for an hour. With all this said, 24 hiurs later and he still is acting weird. Laying at the bottom of the tank on his side or on his nose like in the picture. So I opted to move him out of the tank and into a more densely planted tank that has more hiding in it thinking maybe it was stressing him too much having such an open tank. I again drip acclimated him for an hour, placed him near the surface on the plants leaves and left him there to calm down. 9 hours later he is sitting on his nose still. Im going to give him another 24 hours but im worried about the poor guy. Hes my 4th betta and the 3rd from the same person. Im hoping he's just very stressed but I know stress kills. What else can I do for him? What have I not considered? I also have tested parameters for both tanks. Both 0ppm ammonia and nitrites. 10ppm nitrates in current and 5ppm in original. Temp is 78 current and 80 in original. Ph is 7.6 in current and 7.8 in the other. Lights are being kept off other than this photo as I couldn't get a picture with them off. Nothing in original 6g tank with him and neo shrimp and ramshorn snails in this 15g currenttank. I have methylene blue and kanaplex on hand and will make a 2 hour drive to pickup other medicine if needed.
https://i.redd.it/3xy0f6toykog1.jpeg
Posted by yjcrawler
2 Comments
That position alone isn’t necessarily a problem. Bettas often wedge themselves in plants or rest head-down, especially when they’re stressed or adjusting to a new tank. I’d give him some time and monitor him before medicating. Meds can do more harm than good if there’s no clear illness. Checking water parameters as you already do and keeping the tank calm is usually the best first step.
Edit: I don’t see obvious signs of things that would justify medication (like pineconing, severe fin rot, fungus, ich spots, bloating, etc.).
Also to add. Finally seen him swim on his own and its almost like he can’t swim correctly. He can’t keep himself oriented right as he swims. Goes sideways or almost upside down. Just can’t keep himself in a normal position. I could’ve sworn he swam fine in the bag but im honestly startng to question that now. I was pretty quick to get him out and start acclimating as I had to use vacation time to come home mid shift from work to take care of him before going back to work… maybe he isn’t healthy from the beginning?