Bettas & disease

C

CivicChick

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Feb 15, 2004
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In December, I got a betta fish. I have him in a 1/2 gallon tank, alone. He's been doing fine until about a week ago. Ever since I got him, he has been eating about 3 of the betta pellets a day (he refuses to eat the flake food). Last week, however, he all of a sudden stopped eating at all - it was like he had no interest in the food, although I still put at least one pellet in every day. I don't know that he ever ate any, because there were a lot on the bottom of the tank.
This week, he goes after the food, but it's like he can't get it in his mouth. I'm not really sure how to explain it other than that - he swims at it, goes up to it like he's going to eat it, and he does open his mouth, but it doesn't go in. And he'll keep trying until the pellet falls to the bottom of the tank. I tried breaking the pellet up, and I also tried flake food again, but to no avail. I'm very worried seeing as how it's been about 2 weeks since I've seen him eat. Any suggestions?? Or does anyone know of any good forums for betta topics??
 
first of all, although bettas CAN live in a small environment, theyre happiest in a bigger tank, they get quite interesting personalitlies and have a lot of fun in a bigger environment.... it may be the environment itself that is depressing your little guy.... its only 1/2 gallon.... :( try at least a 5..... he will LOVE it!

also, bettas will NEVER EVER eat flake food, at least any self-respecting betta (they know theyre worth more than just that!!!!) although betta pellets are made for bettas, they arent the best food for them, and a lot of times they dont like them at all.... in fact, ill say straight out, dont use them.... spoil him rotten, try frozen bloodworms or live blackworms, or many other live or used-to-be-live foods from the pet store, they :) :) :) LOVE LOVE LOVE THEM.... if your betta is just depressed due to living conditions or food selection and not truly sick, that will surely pep him up!!!!!!

anyways, of course thats not all it could be.... theres are lots of people around here that may know the answer to you question, just give it some time.... hopefully your little guy will pep up a little bit with some TLC
 
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more than likely i would say it is the tank size, though i am no betta expert. you should up grade to a five or ten gallon. It is low cost i think 50 bucks for a 10 gallon deluxe kit, and you could even add more fish.
 
dont add more fish, they are perfectly happy on their own (either he will fight with them, or they will fight with him and tear his fins up! ACK!) once in a big healthy environment, he will want to play with you all the time (you think fish cant play with their owners, youre wrong) youll see ;)
 
I agree about the environment. I have two Bettas. I started them in small betta bowls, later moving one into a 2.5 gallon tank and one into a 10 gallon. Their personalities are now huge and I can even hand feed one of them. Although I'm not sure why he's acting like that, it may be stress related. Have you checked the water's ph, ammonia, nitrites, etc. recently? How often do you change the water?
 
NFR-22467-A said:
also, bettas will NEVER EVER eat flake food, at least any self-respecting betta (they know theyre worth more than just that!!!!) although betta pellets are made for bettas, they arent the best food for them, and a lot of times they dont like them at all.... in fact, ill say straight out, dont use them.... spoil him rotten, try frozen bloodworms or live blackworms, or many other live or used-to-be-live foods from the pet store, they :) :) :) LOVE LOVE LOVE THEM.... if your betta is just depressed due to living conditions or food selection and not truly sick, that will surely pep him up!!!!!!
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NOT TRUE! My betta fights my Neon for flake food even though I put in his usually freeze dried blood worms. But maybe he's just weird and still adjusting to his 10 gal. he knows when I put food in and swims to the top and just waits.
 
NFR-22467-A said:
dont add more fish, they are perfectly happy on their own (either he will fight with them, or they will fight with him and tear his fins up! ACK!) once in a big healthy environment, he will want to play with you all the time (you think fish cant play with their owners, youre wrong) youll see ;)
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I disagree w/ this statement. My betta is in a 10 gallon w/ 3 dwarf frogs and they all get along fine. The frogs will even stand on the betta's head (It's actually pretty cute because they're so small!) and he'll just ignore them. So far neither of my bettas have tried to cause any harm, nor has the frogs...
 
well, these are my own personal opinions on bettas, everyone has different experiences... personally the bettas ive had never ate flake food, or got along with other fish.... or other bettas.... i wish they had.... bad experiences.... :( anyways, every betta is different, they all have different personalities, so whatever works for you is good!
 
NFR-22467-A said:
also, bettas will NEVER EVER eat flake food, at least any self-respecting betta
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Sorry have to disagree with you here. My son's who is now 2.5 years old gets one flake a day before my son goes to bed.

He is now living in 1/4 gallon of water in a 1/2 gallon bowl. We moved him there after he seemed miserable in the 20 gallon long grow out tank. He got along fine with the other fish no problem but the excessive current from the 2 filters (needed for all the juvenile fish) was whacking him up against the glass and he ended up just refusing to move even for food. Once we moved him to the bowl. He became more vibrant and active. Seems to enjoy the peacefulness of the bowl.

All the bettas at the store where I work also get flake more times than anything else. (they also get pellets from time to time) They gobble it up like it is the best meal they have ever had.

Like any fish. If you use a good food they will eat it. If you use junk cheapo food the fish won't.
 
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