Hello! I’m new to betta’s (except the one my mom kept in a vase with a plant as a child, trying to do better), and I’m trying to do this right but I’m worried about my new fish.
I’m doing fish-in cycling since I’ve only recently learned about cycling a tank. I’ve added Tetra Safe Start plus and Imagitarium biological startup with each water change and at the start.
The Problem:
My betta has been very lethargic, often at the bottom of the tank or floating on his side. He will come up to the top of the tank sometimes but not often. He has not eaten since I got him.
I’m worried about possible swim bladder, or worse, ammonia poisoning.
I’ve been doing test strips multiple times a day and the API test kit once a day to check levels.
Tank Size: 10 gallon
Heater/Filter: yes/yes (78-79 degrees)
Parameters: API Master Test Kit, ammonia: 0.25 ppm nitrites: 0.25 ppm nitrates: 0-5 ppm pH: 6.8-7.2 (test strips) [throughout the day ammonia and nitrite test strips are 0 or very low]
How Long: Tank: 6 days, Fish: 4 days
Water Changes: 15% daily, removal of 1.5 gallons, addition of 1.5 gallons treated with water conditioner and biological startup (15 drops each) slowly via turkey baster (for aquariums)
Tankmates: 6 shrimp (rainbow/cherry), 3 snails
Food: currently refusing all food, tried freeze dried bloodworms just to see if he’d try it but refuses even when held in front of his face
Decorations/Plants: all live plants (16), smooth rocks and one stick
https://www.reddit.com/gallery/1lxiks8
Posted by iSynthesize