HELP! Betta sick!!!! [Archive]

View Full Version : HELP! Betta sick!!!!

Gold girl

11-13-2009, 5:57 PM

I have had a veil tailed betta for about 3 months now and he has been doing great but lately my room has been getting cold so I got one of those heaters that maintains a certain temperature for it. Well I put it in and he seemed to be doing fine at first. Then after a while I noticed he had started hiding in the bowl which was unusual. I didn't think to much about it until he had gone two days without coming out. So I took the little hollowed out log bridge that he was hiding in out and at first I thought he was dead but then I saw he was still swimming with one fin although he was just laying on the bottom. I watched him for a little bit and he didn't have any trouble swimming but all of his fins were clamped really bad. He didn't show any signs of having a distended stomach or of being tipsy he just seemed depressed and would just lay on the bottom of the bowl which is unusual he usually is a very active little fish.
Any input would be appreciated!

Somervell

11-13-2009, 6:16 PM

When was the last time you changed the water? How big is the bowl and how big is the heater? Those little paddle heaters are designed for 1-2 gallon tanks. Good luck with the little guy.

jrawebb83

11-13-2009, 6:22 PM

You might get more answers if you post under the anabantoids forum.

To me it sounds like he may just be cold. Is there a thermostat in the tank? Whats the temp?

Gold girl

11-14-2009, 12:14 AM

Jspigs

11-14-2009, 1:14 PM

I had just changed out his water the day before. He is in a one gallon tank and the heater was suppose to be a small tank heater...and he started acting weird the day after I put the heater in his water...

What is the water temp?

Also a 1 gallon bowl is too small for a Betta, I would get him at least 2.5 gallons.

Gold girl

11-14-2009, 2:15 PM

The water temperature before the heater was put in was at about 64 and then after a day with the heater it was at 76...

Jspigs

11-14-2009, 4:57 PM

I am wondering if it was the rapid temperature change, I would let him get used to the new temperature.

I would also get him at least a 2.5 gallon tank, a heater in a tank that small would cause large temperature fluctuations even if it was made for small tanks. A bigger tank will also give your Betta more room to swim and that will bring out his full personality and color.

You did the right thing by getting him a heater, 64 degrees is much too cold for a Betta.

Gold girl

11-14-2009, 6:08 PM

Ok well then I will try to see about a bigger tank and just let him get use to the temperature. Thanks for all your input!

thatbettaglo

11-21-2009, 4:11 PM

It was DEFINATLY the temp! NEVER EVER RAISE THE TEMP MORE THAN 2 DEGREES AT A TIME!!!

thatbettaglo

11-21-2009, 4:13 PM

It causes major stress to the fish.As for temp, I keep my bettas a around 79 to 80, but then again I live in Florida so I dont really have a temp problem. Bettas are very hardy and can often seen invincable.