New betta not eating ... Please help

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Jan 13, 2004
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Hi everyone,
I got home a new turquoise colored betta home 3 days ago. I have him in a 2.5 gallon tank with temperature steady at 80-82 F. Unfortunately since I brought him, (except for the first day), he has not been moving much at all. His fins dont show any signs of damage, but he holds them kinda close to his body and just hovers motionless. Most often he is just resting on the floor of tank. I tried feeding him, pellets and variety of flakes these past 2 days but he totally ignores all the food floating ard him. I am changing his water too everyday, but has not perked him up much. Tho' turning the filter off, has gotten him to move a tad bit more. Any ideas or suggestions? I have kept freshwater tanks for 2 years now though this is my first with a betta.

Thanks for you help.
 
How is your surface movement? Too much and bettas will not be happy.

What are your water parameters?
 
what are the water parameters? some fish will go on a food strike after moving, but i dont think this is that... make shure that you have lots of plants in the tank to let it feel more secure and to reduce how fast the water is moveing...
 
Thanks for your responses...

My tank details:

2.5g Minibow (uncycled)
Tap Water + Amquel
Changing 50% water daily
ammonia, nitrites, nitrates = 0
Temperature = 80-82F
Age of setup = 3 days
Small Whisper internal filter (has been turned off since last night)
Small fluorescent light.

Turning off the filter has had a realy tiny positive effect, but not much.

Seems like I am doing things right, but not sure why my betta is not eating or moving much. Just seems listless. :(
 
try adding plants, and not makeing loud noises near the tank, or leaving the light off, i think it might just be stressed out...
 
Thanks. I bought my betta from Petsmart where it was in this blue water.

Q1 Wonder if not having whatever was in that water is the issue?
Q2 Also, do you recommend adding any medication to be on the safe-side?

I forgot to mention in my last post, but I added some aquarium salt in the hope of destressing him.

I also do have a silk plant with large leaves for the betta to relax.

Thanks
 
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Your betta is probably fine. the blue water was anti-fungal medication, a lazy way of doing things as it is better to do water changes. Your setup is fine, though a plant (fake with silky leaves is fine) would be nice. Often bettas will just feel stressed and not feel like eating. He will when he gets hungry. Since you are doing daily water changes keep trying the food. Also they are often fed a certain food at the store and they don't want to try anything new. But eventually they will.

Leave the filter on so the bacteria can start to grow. The betta is not used to the water movement having lived in a small tank most of its life. It will take some time for it to develope the extra muscles needed to swim in a bit of a current. And water mmovement at the top isn't a problem. they will get used to it.

Don't add medication to your water. And don't worry too much. You are on the right track.
 
Try one or two frozen blood worms. He'll eat those soon as he smells them.

IMO I would get some AquaClear sponge, cut it about the size of the filter intake slots, put a slit in the middle and slip it over the end of the filter. That will cut down on some of the current. Also do the same type of thing with the outflow. Don't stop the flow, just cut it down a LOT so that there is little if any surface agitation.

Leave it like that for a few days. Let him build his muscles up. He's not used to swimming at all, much less having a current to deal with as well.

Then you can either remove the sponge from the intake or no. Try it and see how he does. If he seems stressed, put the cover back.

I have a couple of bettas that just do better with those covered.

Roan
 
I have a Mini Bow 2.5 also, but I replaced the Whisper with a Red Sea Nano. Takes up less room in the tank and looks better. I cut a piece off the black sponge and stuck it in the filter intake to cut down on flow. Now my betta seems to enjoy playing in the flow.
 
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