Guys, I'm new to reddit. I am hoping to get some help with my betta fish. I've had him for about 10 months. Every now and then he will go through a spell where he lays at the bottom of the tank besides for maybe 10 minutes out of the day. I have tried different sized tanks. I've had the water tested. I've changed his food. I've gotten him a heater to keep his water at 77°. I've purchased $16 water off of Amazon specifically for betas. I clean his tank every couple of weeks. At one point in time it was like he had buoyancy issues so I thought maybe he was constipated. He just seems super lazy and not happy and I feel bad for him. Any help would be appreciated.
https://i.redd.it/h6xjoe38fgog1.jpeg
Posted by R0ses4theRav3nS
25 Comments
What size tank is he in currently?
There is no such thing a water for bettas. Please stop buying that. There is no replacement for a properly cycled aquarium
When requesting help, please provide the requested information. Answers such as “large enough” or “my paramters are fine” aren’t good enough. Failure to provide adequate information about your tank *can* result in post removal. Please see rule 4 for more information.
If you are posting to find out what is wrong with your betta, please answer the following questions in a reply to this comment as best you can:
* **Tank size**:
* **Heater and filter? (yes/no)**:
* **Tank temperature**:
* **[Parameters in numbers and how you got them](https://www.reddit.com/r/bettafish/wiki/tank#wiki_test_kits). Key water parameters include the amount of ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, and pH.**:
* **How long have you had the tank? How long have you had your fish?**:
* **How often are water changes? How much do you take out per change? What is your process?**:
* **Any tankmates? If so, please list with how many of each**:
* **What do you feed and how much**:
* **Decorations and plants in the tank**:
* **If you haven’t already posted a picture, please post pics/vids to imgur and paste the link here**:
This looks like a vase, i hope it isn’t. Op please answer the auto mod questions so people can assist you. Without that info no one can.
I’m afraid “betta water” is a scam. Instead, cycle a MINIMUM 5-gallon tank with treated tap water (dechlorinate), heater, filter, and pump for 6-8 weeks. once ammonia is processed by the water w/i 24 hours, it is ready. Once ready, add plenty of plants and/or resting spots/hiding spots, THEN transfer your buddy over.
Again, the only kind of water your fish needs is dechlorinated tap water. hope this helps!
It’ll be better to use natural elements for betta rather than the plastic plants and colourful stones.
If possible, arrange natural aquatic plants like foxtail or hydrilla and use natural sand for the lower layer of your tank.
Also, try to collect indian almond leaf that will provide the exact similar water condition that betta’s prefer.
Also, if possible try to culture any live food to feed occasionally, even you could feed mosquito larve or earth worm that is easily available!
Haya, Betta water is a scam, you need to have a cycled aquarium, LIVE plants, filter, heater and most importantly 5Gal tank, those are one of the basic minimum needs. Im not sure what situation you were put in with this Betta but make sure to do proper research before buying any sort of animal, I do wish you good luck with this beauty, hope he gets better soon with better care!
This looks like an extremely small habitat. It’s not normal for a betta not to come up for air regularly. I’m more than positive it’s a water quality issue. I would recommend a larger, filtered, and properly cycled tank. Don’t waste your money on bottled “betta water.” That does nothing. A cycled tank is vitally important for any fish to thrive.
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Sounds like you don’t understand the nitrogen cycle. A common beginners mistake. This can be deadly for fish. Not understanding the nitrogen cycle and not testing their water for ph, ammonia, nitrite and nitrates is how we kill fish. We keep water not fish.
Everytime to change the tank the fikter or fully clean the tank you reset the nitrogen cycle. This can have drastic consequences
You need to do a lot more research on how to care for bettas, this isn’t a suitable environment for him
I am guessing, since this looks like a glass vase, that there isn’t a filter. Bettas must have a filter. Just replacing the water is not proper Betta care. Also, cleaning the tank, other than removing detritus, is making the problem worse. It is impossible to determine the issue since there are so many things wrong here.
Apologize first sorry. This is brutal, what you are doing is making your fish suffer. Please please read about how nitrogen cycle works. Many have posted good information. Do a search in this form. 5 gallon tank a good starting point. Natural pants and rocks are better. Once you read all about how to care for fish, if it is to much please give it to someone that will do whats best him. This is not trying to gatekeep or be cruel. Many get into the hobby with out doing research. This is the reason I don’t have a dog and I wanted one since I was a kid.
Ok so I’m going to help you the best way I can I don’t know what your tank situation is but if you want to save your buddy you need a product called prime like right now dose his tank it binds the high ammonia and nitrates and nitrites in the water for 48 hours so that will give u a little time to run to petsmart or petco and grab a 5 gallon tank with a filter and I see you already have a heater. So then your going to fill your tank up with tap water that you have treated with prime and stability the prime I already told you what it does but it also dechlorinates your tap water and makes it safe for your betta then you can add some real live plants to help you with this process as well as many as you can get. Also buy a betta leaf and put it about two inches from the surface so they can rest on it bettas like resting spots and if they have none there going to rest on the bottom. Which can be scary then your going to google a fish in cycle and watch YouTube videos I will actually send you a couple that are very easy to follow and that’s how we’re going to save your buddy ok 👌 one last thing ur going to have to purchase is a freshwater master testing kit there like $35.00 I think there $40.00 in store but petsmart price matches so remember that and if you sign up as a rewards member you can get a 5 gallon tank with a filter lid and light for $35.00 also it will be much better than the vase you have ur buddy in now I hope this helps
[fish n cycle](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_Fvl_KOoDPU&pp=ygUmZmlzaCBpbiBjeWNsZSB3aXRoIHByaW1lIGFuZCBzdGFiaWxpdHk%3D)
Hi OP, the container the betta is in isn’t really suitable, is too small plus there’s no filter. It’s very likely getting toxic in there with ammonia and this will make the fish sick fast. It is essential a flower vase with a fish in it.
It’s a stressful environment for him coupled with stressful water conditions and immune system lowering effect that time without a heater would have done. Without a filter the water is stagnant and won’t be nitrogen cycled. He’s sat in his own waste with an unknown level of toxins hurting him. The cleaning will add more stress. All this adds up to a sick fish.
The correction is a decent tank, filter, testing the water and establishing the nitrogen cycle. You’ll need a tank adequate for him, a test kit, a dechlorinator and daily water changes to reduce toxic build up until the bacteria grow in (takes 4-6 weeks).
There are helpful links that explain the nitrogen cycle we can share, but without a filter or any water flow the bacteria themselves will even struggle with lack of oxygenation. There are basic betta care guides available we can share.
We’re happy to help, but please correct the set up. This absolutely isn’t okay to keep a living creature in, he’s a fish with specific needs for survival not a bunch of flowers on the side. This is a torturous slow route out of life for him.
[another video](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9Cuqylaak3E&pp=ygUmZmlzaCBpbiBjeWNsZSB3aXRoIHByaW1lIGFuZCBzdGFiaWxpdHk%3D)
[watch these please](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qjkoZGf1qOA&pp=ygUmZmlzaCBpbiBjeWNsZSB3aXRoIHByaW1lIGFuZCBzdGFiaWxpdHk%3D)
[fast fish n cycling safe](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VMSD0A0iPkY&pp=ygUmZmlzaCBpbiBjeWNsZSB3aXRoIHByaW1lIGFuZCBzdGFiaWxpdHk%3D)
I doesn’t look at all like an ideal habitat to be honest.
next time you shouldnt get an animal without doing proper research on your own. pet stores and the like will lie to you because they see fish as a commodity and they only want to make a profit. i dont say this to make you feel guilty, its just the truth of it. its *your* responsibility when youre taking on a whole life, even one as small as a fish.
bettas need a 5 gallon tank minimum, 10 is better. “betta water” is a scam. what you need is a fully cycled tank, so you will have to do research into the nitrogen cycle, and doing a “fish in cycle”. cycling is easier with live plants, and theyre easier to care for than youd think.
bettas Must have filtration and a heater. some people like to argue that if you live in a warm place the heater isnt necessary but i entirely disagree. temperature fluxuation is hard on them, and they are tropical fish, so it must be warm.
until you have a properly sized cycled tank, a heater, a filter, and an environment that stimulates the betta, you will continue to have health problems with him. he looks quite sickly, id be willing to bet this water has harmful ammonia and nitrite present.
Hey buddy,
Beta water is not a thing. Nothing in fact is a substitute for a properly cycled freshwater tank. Doing a fish in cycle is possible but you need to keep an eye on the parameters and help the fish out every day with poop cleaning you have to do a fish in cycle. Getting filter media or water from a friend with a betta tank can help.
A vase is torture. Get at least a 6.5-10 gallon tank, the bigger the betta’!
Bettas get overstimulated. Put real plants (ideally) or silk plants in the short term throughout the tank to create spots where they can rest higher in the water and break line of sight throughout the tank. They need swimming room, and an environment where they can explore nooks and crannies. They dont like reflect8ve surfaces that much either. Putting in aquarium gravel and sand will make that little guy very happy for when they do dive, but they also need space to come up for air.
They need slow water flow, but they need flow, they cannot be kept in a still container. At this point while youre getting a proper tank ready, putting your little guy in a 3/4 filled several gallon bucket from petco or home depot and putting in some floating plants and a bubble filter will probably give him a good medical tank to just chill and feel safe in for a bit.
The first thing would be to get a proper tank. This appears to be a vase with one fake plant?
Oh lord you are doing a lot wrong here. Let me help you and we can save your betta.
1. Your tank is way too small you need a 5 gallon tank minimum avoid curved and tall tanks.
2. Get a filter and heater.
3. Add sand and live plants. Plastic and dyed stuff poisons the water over time. Live plants help keep water parameters stable keeping Bettas healthy. Aquarium Sand is inert and will not alter water parameters.
4. Buy dechlorinator for your water for water changes.
5. Research the nitrogen cycle and cycle your new tank.
6. Buy a liquid testing water testing kit. This will help you stay informed on how safe the water is for your fish and if you need to do a water change.
It is imperative you do these things or your fish will certainly die. If you can’t do these things please rehome the fish to someone who can.
Any further questions send me a message and I will help.
I dont know what type if tank that is but if its small and you dont have real plants, then you shouldn’t be waiting couple of weeks to clean it. Also, how do you clean the tank? Do you throw out the whole thing and replace it? Also like others said, betta water is a scam. You can just buy prime water conditioner and add that into your faucet water. Lasts months