Betta care
- Thread starter suby7272
- Start date
suby7272 said:
That really depends on what could be wrong. There's many diseases they can get, and symptoms vary. If you notice a drastic change in behaviour, or a growth, whitespots, bloated belly, etc, you have a problem. Keep water clean, don't overfeed, these guys will beg for food until they burst, they don't know when to stop eating. Hope that helps!
Yes, once a day feeding of flakes, pellets or bloodworms is all they need. Freshwater, and preferably a minimum of 2 gallon is preffered. Plants, either silk or real are a good thing as well.
Thank you Ems, thank you TKOS
One of the problems I could see after reading your replies is that - I have housed my betta (poor guy) in a small bowl - about the size of a coconut -maybe that's what he is unhappy about.
Although he was fine all these days in the very same container - but off late I see him mostly settled at the bottom - coming up only to feed or to take their classical gulp-o-air
One of the problems I could see after reading your replies is that - I have housed my betta (poor guy) in a small bowl - about the size of a coconut -maybe that's what he is unhappy about.
Although he was fine all these days in the very same container - but off late I see him mostly settled at the bottom - coming up only to feed or to take their classical gulp-o-air
It isn't too hard to get a bigger tank for them. It doesn't have to be an acutual fish tank. A large glass bowl or any type will do. Just try to get something in the minimum of 2 gallon.s Most fish stores will sell 2.5 and 5 gallon tanks (just the bare tank, not a kit) for really cheap. Or else Eclipse makes some nice small all in one kits with light and filter.
People may say that is overkill for a betta, but once you see these guys swimming around a tank and brilliantly coloured, exploring plants and rocks, it is surely worth the price.
People may say that is overkill for a betta, but once you see these guys swimming around a tank and brilliantly coloured, exploring plants and rocks, it is surely worth the price.
I agree with TKOS. Bettas need a heater, among other things, to be 100% happy. I find that they don't appreciate a high current in their tanks, for example. A good checklist for Betta health can be found here:
http://www.bettatalk.com/betta_diseases.htm
And here's one with pictures:
http://www.bettadreams.com/diseases.html
http://www.bettatalk.com/betta_diseases.htm
And here's one with pictures:
http://www.bettadreams.com/diseases.html
Hello Suby, good for you trying to make your betta a happy home !
If he is just hanging on the bottom he may have an issue of one kind or another. My first guess would be constipation. Is his belly swollen at all ? When he does go up for air does he seem off balanced ? Have you noticed any "poo" in his bowl at all lately ?
You could try not feeding him for a few days and see if he improves any. He won't starve .. "really" It actually does a fish good to fast once in awhile. If you notice that he hasn't gone to the bathroom for awhile...try feeding him a few bite sized pieces of cooked frozen pea (skin peeled off) after fasting him for a day or two. Then check the bowl from time to time to see if he "does his business". If he is constipated this should clear him out and he should be back to his old self again.
If you can, I would look into getting him a larger tank. Something you can put a heater and a small slow flowing filter....the whisper minis have a control on the back where you can adjust the outflow. A 3-5 gallon tank is larger enough for a small heater....walmart has a small 7 watt Jr heater that should do well...but do have a thermometer in there to keep an eye on the temps. The temp should be high 70's to 80F.
OOOOo....I could go on and on.....lol....here's a pic of a tank that I have...
It's a 10 gallon I divided up for 4 bettas....has a heater, penguin mini bio-wheel, live plants and airstone.
If he is just hanging on the bottom he may have an issue of one kind or another. My first guess would be constipation. Is his belly swollen at all ? When he does go up for air does he seem off balanced ? Have you noticed any "poo" in his bowl at all lately ?
You could try not feeding him for a few days and see if he improves any. He won't starve .. "really" It actually does a fish good to fast once in awhile. If you notice that he hasn't gone to the bathroom for awhile...try feeding him a few bite sized pieces of cooked frozen pea (skin peeled off) after fasting him for a day or two. Then check the bowl from time to time to see if he "does his business". If he is constipated this should clear him out and he should be back to his old self again.
If you can, I would look into getting him a larger tank. Something you can put a heater and a small slow flowing filter....the whisper minis have a control on the back where you can adjust the outflow. A 3-5 gallon tank is larger enough for a small heater....walmart has a small 7 watt Jr heater that should do well...but do have a thermometer in there to keep an eye on the temps. The temp should be high 70's to 80F.
OOOOo....I could go on and on.....lol....here's a pic of a tank that I have...
It's a 10 gallon I divided up for 4 bettas....has a heater, penguin mini bio-wheel, live plants and airstone.
Sorry to hear that. I would take this chance though to save up and purchase a bigger tank with filter and heater. Your next betta will surely enjoy this type of setup much better.