Inactive betta ?

[PuppyFluffer]

I have a betta in an almost 2 gallon hex tank on my kitchen counter. We've had him for about 2 years I believe. I have done periodic water changes in the past but not often enough I have recently learned. I have tested his water (last week) and everything is good. Ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrates very low.

He is eating ok but I have noticed that his has become fairly inactive over the last few days. His body is full looking, he seems healthy visually.

I feed several different kinds of betta food and I recently offered him thawed frozen bloodworms. He ate one worm then tried some more, spitting them out. I have not tried again.

Any thoughts?

[PuppyFluffer]

additional note, he's resting on the bottom of the tank and resting in the plastic plant I have in the tank. I've never seen him park himself in the plant. Resting on the bottom is something I've seen occasionally but he's doing it a lot more frequently now.

[jpappy789]

Any other inhabitants of the tank?

What type of test kit are you using?

What are you feeding?

[irishspy]

additional note, he's resting on the bottom of the tank and resting in the plastic plant I have in the tank. I've never seen him park himself in the plant. Resting on the bottom is something I've seen occasionally but he's doing it a lot more frequently now.

Bettas are a relatively short-lived fish. It's possible, since you've had him a couple of years, that he's just getting old.

One other thought: Have you noticed if he's defecating regularly? The sluggishness could be due to constipation. What other foods have you given him besides the worms?

[Lexi_D]

Try Giving him some peas, just in case it's constipation.

[kjr928]

I have an ancient (3+ years) betta. One day he started laying on the bottom of his tank and couldn't get up to the surface. Turns out he's got a swim bladder problem and has no bouyancy. He has since been moved into a very shallow bowl so he can get up for air and food.

Since he's been moved he gets along a lot better (from what I can see), and it's been about 3 or 4 months.

Maybe your fish has a similar problem.

[msjinkzd]

what temp is the tank?

[PuppyFluffer]

Tank temp is 76.

I use bottled spring water.

I have the Tetra test kits - liquid drops.

For food, I use a few different things:

HBH Betta Bites - nuggets
Hikari Betta Bio-Gold - nuggets
Tetra BettaMin Tropical Medley - flakes

His favorite seems to be the HBH BettaBites. His least favorite is the Tetra flakes.

When he swims around, he seems fine. His dorsal fin seems to be laying fairly close to his body, maybe more so than usual, but I can't really tell.

I just got a second betta for the other side of the kitchen sink and he's more active and his his dorsal fin up a bit more than the other guy. i asked the guy at the fish store approximately how old the new one was when I bought him and he guessed about 4 months, so maybe it is an old age issue.

I know their average life span is about 2-3 and sometimes 5.

I can't say I've noticed his bowel habits but I will try giving him a pea!

[PuppyFluffer]

Oops, missed a question.

There are no other occupants of the tank. Just a plastic plant and round natural stones on the bottom, about 1/3 to 1/2 inch in diameter....and some green algae on some rocks. I've got what they called an "under gravel filter" which isn't any sort of filter really and an airstone.

When I do water changes, I do use a gravel vac and stir things up a bit to clean it out.

[Lexi_D]

BTW, take the shells off the peas first!

[Bobnova]

You might find him some live food. Here it's getting to be mosquito season, and there is nothing that any of my fish like more then live mosquito larva, they go nuts for 'em.

The pea idea is a good one.

Are there any snails in the tank? One of my bettas ate a baby MTS, that took him out of commission for a week or so.

[TheFishLady]

This sounds like it could be a number of things, not specifically old age. I am going to suggest using a preventive medication here. If the problem isn't what I think it is (the beginnings of something bacterial) then the meds won't hurt, only help to strengthen the immune system so he can fight off whatever else may be wrong.
Fungus Eliminator and Methylene blue together, dosed according to directions on the medication bottles. Please be sure not to use any salt in the the tank with these meds, there is a bit of salt in the fungus eliminator.
I have used this treatment for a good number of bettas over the years, both as medication to fix a problem or as a preventive when they first come home. I swear by it, and would not be surprised if after only a few days into treatment the fish isn't back to his old self again. Even if he appears to be well again, continue the treatment for the full course as listed on the bottles.
Best of Luck to you!

[PuppyFluffer]

Thanks for the input. Are these items I can get an a local fish store?

I have noticed something that I think may be a problem. I do not have any heaters on these tanks (i've got 2 of them, each with a betta) There is a light bulb in the hood which seems to do the job of heating the tank.

Last night, I noticed him flaring at his reflection and I turned the light off. The tank temp dropped about 8 degrees. These temp fluctuations can't be good! I generally leave the light on the tank 24/7. Is that a bad thing? do they make heaters for tanks this small?

[irishspy]

do they make heaters for tanks this small?

In fact, they do (http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ctl3684/cp18534/si1382454/cl0/hydorminiheater75watt). :idea:

[PuppyFluffer]

Thanks so much for the link! I'll get 2 of those!!!