Being a betta fish owner can be hard, and truthfully, I’ve found it to be even more difficult than being a cat owner at times.
While it’s true that the regular care routine for a betta fish is less rigorous than that of a cat, it can be much more difficult to tell if something is wrong with your betta fish than if something is wrong with a cat or a dog.
Although cats often hide the fact that they are sick, their symptoms are usually fairly clear. Not only that, but you can handle a cat and take a closer look, which is something you’re not as likely to be able to do with a betta fish.
You may remember almost a year ago I did a 100% water change that put Blub into a stressed shock. From then on, I’ve refused to do a 100% water change, unless absolutely necessary.
Instead, I make sure that I keep a good amount of his old water to make sure there are enough nitrates to start his cycle.
I’ve also been providing some bacteria to help start the cycle. I would speak to a fish store clerk to see if they have similar bacteria in their store.
As a betta fish owner, you will be required to keep a close eye on your betta fish and see if there are any changes.
If you are uncertain what the symptoms sick betta fish commonly exhibit, I would recommend checking out this article.
Today let’s dive into one of the most common “symptoms” a betta fish will exhibit while they are sick. This behaviour/symptom is lethargy or is staying at the bottom of the tank.
Because this is the most common symptom a betta fish will exhibit when sick, there are several reasons why your fish will lay on the bottom of their tank or act lethargic.
CONSTIPATION
Just like every other animal, Betta fish can get constipated.
Betta fish have very tiny stomachs, and so a lot of times, new fish owners will overfeed their betta fish. It took me a bit of time to find “the perfect” amount to feed my Betta fish.
Betta fish who are constipated tend to bloat or may even float to the top of the tank, while still being alive.
If your betta fish is showing signs of constipation, you can feed them a defrosted pea for extra fibre. You’re going to want to make sure you cut the pea up into tiny, tiny pieces making sure you still don’t overfeed your betta fish.
Due to the amount of fibre in the pea, your betta fish should poop within the next day or so! If conditions stay the same, repeat the process and contact your local vet.
WATER CONDITION
This was the cause of Blub’s scare a year ago.
Betta fish are pretty sensitive fish, even though they are quite hardy as well. Make sure you are cycling the water in your fish tank, especially if you’re going to do a full water change.
Simply put, your betta fish is going to like water that is a bit dirty with their own waste because of the nitrates, and will not be able to survive in an unconditioned fish tank as it will make them feel sick.
Water condition directly can cause a betta fish to lose their appetite, or worse… not want to move at all.
You should always be using a water conditioner. It’s not expensive, and it will save you and your fish a lot of stress. That being said, it’s more common for fish owners to end up with a sick dead fish due to poor water conditions.
Another great addition to your fish tank would be a moss ball / Marimo plant. This little bugger will help keep your nitrates low and make sure your tank doesn’t grow algae.
TOO MUCH AMMONIA IN THE WATER
Something I didn’t understand as a new fish owner was the importance of filters. Without a filter, your tank will be building up quite a bit of ammonia which can cause your fish to get sick or act lethargic.
You want to make sure your fish tank has a maximum of 0.25 ppm in regards to ammonia and about 20 ppm of nitrate.
But a little something to calm your nerves. There can be about 40 ppm of nitrates before it starts getting toxic, but it still would be best to keep nitrate level down by changing the water once a week and making sure you have clean filters.
Betta Fish owners can use a Freshwater Master Test Kit to test your water for ammonia.
WATER TEMPERATURE
Please make sure that your tank is the right temperature. Your water should be between 78°F and 80°F (25.5°C and 26.5°C) if your water is below 74°F(23.5°C) your water is much too cold for your betta fish and may be causing a lot of shock to them. If you have a tank that is 2.5 or more gallons, it would be best for you to buy a water heater.
I wouldn’t suggest using a heater on a smaller tank, because some heaters have been known to fry the fish.
(Note: this will not happen with better heaters especially in larger tanks.it is best to buy a water heater you can change the temperature of, or spend some extra time reading the reviews.) We personally use the marina compact heater for a 2.5 Gallon tank.
As a general precaution, always keep your tank far from windows or out of rooms that experience drastic temperature changes.
TOO LITTLE OXYGEN
Remember your little ones still need to breathe, and if your tank doesn’t have a pump the only oxygen they are going to get is through you pouring new water in. This can become a huge problem, especially if you’re not someone who changes water frequently enough.
If your tank doesn’t support a pump or waterfall filter, there are plenty of bubblers you can put at the bottom of your tank! I highly suggest getting one of these for your betta fish.
Now, before you jump on me and say that betta fish don’t need pumps or aerators because they are “top of the breathers”, while yes this is true betta fish still have the ability to filter air through water. If your fish is acting lethargic, the chance of them swimming to the top of the fish tank are slim to none, making aerators very helpful.
ILLNESS
Sometimes your fish is sick at the end of the day. Unfortunately, this can be difficult to diagnose to the untrained eye, and actually, this happened to our poor Flub a few weeks ago.
Although we don’t know how old Flub was since he was a surrender, his fins clamped very quickly and he passed away shortly after.
Make sure you’re taking a close look at your fish every time you feed them to make sure they’re still in good condition.
The most common issue is bladder disease from ammonia.
Luckily, we’ve never had this issue, but I would take a look at our guide to feeding if you’re interested in learning how to promote good bladder health.
STRESS
If there’s a lot going on in your home, or your Betta is stressed from its water condition, it may stay at the bottom of the tank. Stress can be a huge factor that leads to bladder disease, so make sure that you know the rules of making sure your Betta is happy.
YOUR BETTA IS FINE, IT’S JUST SLEEPING
Sometimes your fish being lethargic is none of the above and your fish is just tired and needs to take a quick nap. Some Bettas like to sleep at the bottom of tanks, that’s why we got ours a little place to hide and sleep.
If your Betta is only at the bottom of the tank for a short while, you’re probably in the clear!
CONCLUSION
Though lethargy can be extremely scary, especially for a betta fish owner, it is good to understand that with proper care a betta fish can be nursed back to health.
The first thing you should always do when you think your betta is sick is to check the pH and ammonia levels in the water. Dirty water tends to be the biggest culprit when it comes to sick bettas.
After you’ve checked whether or not the water nitrates and acidity level are to blame, it’s best to move on to checking whether or not the temperature is right in your betta tank. It is always a good idea to have a heater in the tank to ensure that the water temperature never drops too low.
It is never a good idea to let your central heating or the sun be the heater for your tank. This leaves too much space for temperature swings which can ultimately end with a cold betta fish.
If ever you are concerned that the lethargy is being caused by an illness always make sure to check for other symptoms. Sick betta fish tend to ignore food and/or will always stick to the bottom of the tank. Other symptoms and causes can be found here.
If you are still concerned about your betta fish after reading the list of symptoms and are unable to find the cure it is a good idea to speak to a fish specialist or a vet. They may be able to provide you with a stronger medication that is not available at your local pet store.
Hi! We did a 100% water change yesterday (my kiddos wanted a new theme). I’ve done them before with no problem. But now Bumpy is at the bottom of the tank, he does come up to the top when I tap on the tank but then goes right back to the bottom. I know I messed up by changing all the water but what can I do now. He is in a 2.5 gallon tank with a filter and light. He is normally a very active little guy. My husband took a water sample to the pet store and they asked what he did and said there was really nothing we could do to fix it. I’m trying to prepare my kids for the worst, bc mommy messed up.
Hey, I’m hoping for the very best for you and will admit, it happens, especially with newer Betta owners. Luckily in many cases the Betta will be fine after being stressed for a few days and I’m hoping that is the case. Please feel free to keep us updated and giving you the biggest hand squeezes, because it’s definitely stressful to go through, especially the first time.
I got a new female betta last week. I’ve been doing everything I can to keep her well. 5 gallon with filter, heater, conditioned water, (ran the new tank a few days first), slow transition to new tank, floated the bag. She got ich on the second day in the new tank so I am treating her for that, added aquarium salt and bought a new adjustable heater to get the tank to 82 degrees as per the medication. The ich is clearing but she’s been in the bottom of the tank for 2 days. She hardly moves and if she does she darts around, obviously not well at all. I don’t want her to die. Is there anything else I can do. She does still eat 3-5 pellets 2x/Day. Appreciate any additional advice.
Hi, I got my first betta almost a month now and everything seemed to be going well until i did a full water change yesterday. I keep him in a 5 gallon with filter, heater, conditioned water. I tested the waters and everything seemed normal and the temp usually stays at 75 – 80 degrees. I did recently treated him from ick or a assumption, he seemed itchy and what seem like 2 little bit of sugar on him but he is platinum white so it was hard to tell if it was ick or little water bubbles which I don’t think it was since they stayed on him.. So instead of doing the huge dosage required on the bottle, I just did 2 mil since I was worried if he was going to be sensitive to the chemical anyway and wanted to start slow. I waited 48 hours per the instruction and gave him a second 2 mil dose and waited 48 hours for the water change. He did stop itching and seem good as new and the little sugar was gone. But as soon as I did the water change he has stayed at the bottom of the tank ever since. he hardly swims and if he does its just to the top for a gulp of air and heads straight back down to the bottom behind his decor. He did not want food nor even acknowledge I was there when usually as soon as he sees me he rushes to the front of the tank begging for food. I would drop a pallet in front of him and he would swim past it, get his gulp of air, and back down. He didn’t eat anything last night but, I did manage to get him to eat 3 pellets this morning but he went back down afterwards and seemed less interested. I am worried he may not make it but I want to be able to fix my mistake if it is making him suffer. I am hoping he is being stubborn. I know its been almost a year but if you were able to find a way to help your sweet baby could you give me some advice as well.
His normal food routine is 3-4 pellets 7;30am and 7;30pm. no in between meals. Tuesday is pea night to help digestion.
His heater stays around 75-80 degrees and stay on 24/7.
Water change day is Wednesdays.
Sleep schedule: Lights on at 7:30am and Lights off at 7;30pm after I know he ate.
Hey I have had my betta for a little over two years and the past few weeks he has been staying at the bottom of the tank laying directly on his side and will not eat at all. I have changed the water completely and added water conditioner and he has not changed his movements. I do know what is wrong with him and his color seems to be fading away and he looks to be breathing normal so I am not sure what to do. I was thinking maybe be has ammonia poisoning or something but not sure. He is in a the gallon tank with two artificial plants and house for him to go in. Please advise me on what ti do. THANKS
Mine is doing the same. I had him for almost 3 years. He came to the top as always when I knocked on his tank but acted like he didn’t see it. Now he is just laying at the bottom of the tank on his side. Please let me know what I should do.
My betta fish always swims at the bottom of the tank. I’ve had him for about a year now and he always does this, but i’m not sure why. I don’t think he has any illness because it would’ve gone away by now. He seems to be acting normal, and other than a big bump on his head, doesn’t have any signs of sickness. I’m wondering why he might do this? I have a 20 gal community tank with cories and neons that he’s in so maybe he just likes to hang out with the other fish? I don’t know why the neons like to stay at the bottom either lol.
My betta Buckey has to have been atleast 6 months old when we got him, according to his larger fin size. We have had him for a year and a half. I do full water changes, I always do, and put the cleanser stuff and fish tank salt in too. Every time. He looks just like he always has. About a month ago I felt like maybe he as getting to be an old man because he started missing food. Like he couldn’t see and would go for it and miss. Even if it started to fall he would try several times to get it and miss. He is still acting this way. He is also swimming less. He swims for a hot minute and then finds something to rest his fins on. So thought it went with being old. Now he is staying at the bottom a lot. He was sleeping inside his coconut shell at the bottom the other day and I thought he was dead bc he didn’t move. Normally if I tap the top like he’s getting fed he will come out. I even banged on the tank a little bc I was freaking out and he just lifted his head and looked back at me, but still later there. He has always been very friendly. He is in our kitchen bc I moved him to my office once and I swear he was lonely and acted all depressed. Moved him back to the kitchen and he was all better. That was like a a year ago. Anyway so now he just seems to lay at the bottom all the time. Usually he finds a place on something in the tank to sleep, lately he loves to hide in his coconut shell and sleep. I read however that if he was old he would stop making bubble nests. He is still making bubble nests. So I’ve looked into swim bladder disease, his belly is possibly large, but he doesn’t ever swim sideways or float to the top or anything. The only swim issues are that when he swims it’s like his fins are to heavy and he needs to rest on something. Could he still be getting to be an old man even though he is making bubble nests still? He’s always been in a 10 gallon tank with silk plants, that round live plant I can’t think of the name, and some decor that won’t hurt him. He also has a heater that is set at about 80 and I check the thermometer too to make sure everything is right. He has a filter and I add a filter that lays on the fall bc I noticed he does not like the water to move much. He likes it still. Always has. So anyway, hope that info makes sense, it’s kinda scattered. But I take good care of him and he always seems happy until now. No dots or fungus or anything like that. I have no idea what kind he is. He is reddish in color and his fins are very large. Some purple coloring. I think he’s pretty common.
It’d be awesome to find the source of the Bubble Nest fact you gave as that’s nothing I’ve ever heard before. Our little guy, Blub, blew Bubble Nests until a few weeks before he passed. Blub, at the time, got sick and also acted lethargic, but refused to return to the top of his tank, even for food. That being said, Bubble Nests can be a bit tricky as they most commonly signify a healthy betta, though sometimes unhealthy ones will still blow them.
As for your inspection on your little one getting depressed when he was moved to another room, that’s actually a big possibility. Betta Fish love interacting with their owners and have been known to do better when their owners are social/talk to them on a regular basis. So, chance are, you picked up on this temperament. I will say though, I’m hesitant in advising owners to set up camp in the kitchen as the oven tends to heat the room up a bit too much (especially if it’s an enclosed kitchen.) A regular shift in temperature may be upsetting him, especially over time, so I’d make sure to check the temperature when you cook, just to double-check that it doesn’t cause the tank’s water to overheat. 10 Gallons of water is pretty difficult to alter, so chances are you’re also safe on that front.
I’m curious, does your little guy ever respond to your finger (ie. chase it). I’m fairly hopeful if he’s going to the top of the tank to blow bubbles. I know you do 100% water changes on the norm, which is awesome, but I’m wondering if you should try doing smaller changes for the next little bit (while checking the water’s nitrate levels.) Your little guy might be doing some extra work, especially as he ages, trying to restore the nitrates in the water, though a little bit of bacteria can also help out with that.
Hey Johnny!
I’m hoping you can help — My male orchid Betta ‘Ghost’ has recently got super lethargic and won’t come up to the surface to eat. Usually, he is super social and comes up to greet me.
OK, some context:
-10 gallon tank with filter, heater, bubbler
-A whole bunch of live plants
-I use API Stress Coat, API Stress Zyme, Water Clarifier in the water
His tank mates:
-5 Amano Shrimp
-2 Nerite Snails
-2 Dwarf Cory Catfish
Three days ago, I did the following:
-I did a 100% water change (this is something I have always done since I got him and it’s never affected him like this before 🙁 )
-Cleaned his tank
-Removed the two snails, because they were laying eggs everywhere and gave them to a friend
-Added the two dwarf Corys after reading that they make good Betta companions
-Removed this tall water Wisteria plant that was taking over the aquarium (Ghost seemed like he was getting trapped in it a lot, so I assumed he hated it)
-Added a tall Java fern to replace the water Wisteria
Since I did all those things, all he does is hide at the bottom of the tank, won’t come up to eat, and is very scared and timid. I feel awful because I clearly messed something up. Did I do too much to change the tank a few days ago? I love my fish, please help!
Hey Mia, there’s a chance that there was a bit too much change going on in the tank, especially with the addition of the two Corys. Do you, by chance, have a second tank to house the Cory’s for a while to see if that has anything to do with it?
Otherwise, how old is Ghost and how many days has it been that he’s lethargic?
Hey I am a new fish owner and am really worried about my fish Ekho. He’s a veiltail male betta and I got him about 4 months ago. He is in a 1 gallon tank with some fake plants and a tunnel. I got him with bright black and blue colors but he quickly faded to this pale redish teal color. He has always struggled with what I assumed was swim bladder because he would seem slightly bloated and would float near the top of his tank. I fasted him and that seemed to help. I was told that I wouldn’t need a heater for him because his tank is only one gallon but his water seemed really cold and he wasn’t happy. I assumed the cold was causing his swim bladder so I bought him a heater and use it whenever possible. I have no way to tell what temp his water is I just turned it on when he seemed cold. I recently left for a week and right before i left his swim bladder got worse. He was laying on the bottom which was weird because every other time he’s floated to the top. I left him with a friend and she fasted him 3 days and then tried to feed him but he wouldn’t/ couldn’t eat. She had no way to get the food to him and he could no longer swim up anywhere near the surface. When I came back he was laying on the rocks not moving having not eaten for over a week. His water was warm in an attempt to speed up his tract but now I’m thinking it might have put him into shock? I really don’t know. The scales just under his head and on his neck are silver and I heard that its from lack of food. I tried to feed him but he wouldn’t touch anything I gave him. My poor baby is starving and I don’t know what to do. I put him in a small bowl with only an inch or so of water in it so that he could reach the surface to breath but he still can’t reach. He hasn’t passed anything so I don’t know if there’s even anything in his system. I tried feeding him a pea but he won’t eat it. Sometimes he’d snap at it and once after saving his energy he swam frantically in circles trying to reach the top. But he still couldn’t make it. Please help! He’s dying and I don’t know what to do. He won’t move and has stopped responding too me. I’m so scared he’s going to die.
Hi Maggie,
While there’s a lot of information here, I may need you to be more specific. For example, how many pellets or pieces of feed do you normally give Ekho? Bloating and floating to the top sounds a bit like constipation or swim bladder as you mentioned. Both can be from overfeeding, so if it was happening regularly I strongly suggest changing things around.
I would highly, highly, highly recommend placing Ekho, or any future Bettas in a tank that’s 2 Gallons or larger (the ideal is 5) as it lowers the chances of your betta being lethargic. Unfortunately, smaller tanks have been known to be problematic for betta fish, even “betta bowls.” Larger tanks tend to be less finicky with temperature changes as well as cleanings.
I’ve personally never heard that “silver scales” are from lack of food, so I cannot confirm this fact. I do, however, know that sick Betta Fish tend to lose colour potency.
Guaranteeing your Betta Fish to a small bowl isn’t usually a solution unless you’re trying to keep him away from other fish. Being in a small container can cause the Betta to become even more lethargic, slowing down recovery. Just like us, Bettas need a bit of movement to make sure that they are happy and healthy, even when sick.
I hope that info helps 🙂
I would normally feed him one freeze dried blood worm a day to reduce the chances of him being overfeed. He doesn’t seem to be currently bloated just lethargic and laying flat on his side. What can I do for him while I wait for a larger tank? And a larger bowl will make him more active and will heat better? Is it just the small space that’s making him act this way?
I’m sorry for all the questions, thank you so much for your time and advise!
No worries for questions, unfortunately, it’s hard to say what will and won’t work, especially because I’m not there with the little guy. It’s not that “heat” would be better, but keeping your betta in the regulated temperature of 76-82°F (24-28°C). This should feel lukewarm to you, though. If your betta is currently situated in water that is colder than this (or warmer) I recommend acclimating them to the new temperature water by placing them and their current water in a plastic bag, then putting the bag in the correct water temperature to warm up. (I hope that made sense, it’s currently way too early for my brain to function.)
Never put your Betta directly into new water, especially if it is a drastically new temperature. Similar to unconditioned water or water that hasn’t been properly cycled, it can shock the Betta, making them remain lethargic.
Some Bettas do pretty well in small spaces, however, when they get sick it’s A LOT harder to get them better because of how quickly the water gets cold, dirty, and because the Betta does not have enough space to swim around and fully expand themselves. Again, because I wasn’t there when this all went down, I can’t say if the tank was “the cause,” but coming from my experience with betta fish, larger tanks have a higher success rate.
Let me know if that helps out.
Thank you so much I will buy him a bigger tank as soon as possible and will continue to monitor his water temperature. I put him back in his original tank and it already seems to be helping a bit. Thank you so much for your time this really helped me.
Thank you so much I will get him a bigger tank as soon as possible and will continue to monitor his water temperature. I put him back in his original tank and he seems to be doing a little better already. Thank you so much for your time you really helped me!
Hello there…my Betta fish has been with us for the last 2 and half years.. lately, like a a month and half it’s been really slow a d doesnt move around too much. Last week while we were away for 4 days I had put some extra food in the bowl.. I have noticed the fish just insnt moving after we have gotten back..it lays at the bottom of the bowl and it isnt eating.
I’ve moved it to a bigger bowl. Will this help.. how do I know its sick or just sleeping ?
Pls help.. I would like to help my little fish get better
Hi Pooja, bigger bowls can help, though you’d have to tell me what size he’s moved from and what size he’s moved into.
As for telling whether your betta fish is sick versus sleeping, the easiest way to tell is whether or not they change their other habits. When we knew our fish were getting sick they stopped visiting us at the front of the tank, as they always would.
Betta Fish also often show some other symptoms such as an expanded belly or discolouration when they are sick. I would strongly recommend checking out this list of symptoms to see if any match.
Hello, I got a half moon betta exactly one week ago. I cycled his tank like I was supposed. I conditioned his water with the conditioner the pet store (and Amazon reviews as well) recommended to me. And I used the Tetra safe start to kick start the bacteria. I keep him in a 3.5g tank with a heater and a filter and everything seemed to be going great up until today. He was swimming around normal, laying on his leaf, and even making a bubble nest. But then today I noticed him darting around the tank and hiding in a bottom corner and “diving” into the gravel. I went out and bought a water tester (got the wrong one because I wasn’t sure what to buy but I’m buying the new one tomorrow) that tested the GH and the KH and those came back normal for a betta fish. I’m not sure why he suddenly changed in behavior but I’ve grown so attached to him already that it scares me to think that he’s stressed or something is wrong. Do you think the water conditions might be to blame or is it something else? I’m planning on testing the pH and nitrite levels in the tank with the proper kit ASAP.
Hey, sounds like there’s a chance that the water may be too hot or that your little guy have some sort of scale itch (that’s why they tend to scratch themselves against gravel.)
Did you end up getting that test yet? Let me know if there’s any update on this!
Is it possible for my Betta to go into shock by putting the temperature to where its its supposed to be? Is it best to gradually go from the pet store 66 degrees to where he needed it. He was nesting at the 66 to 71 degrees. Now nesting again at 79. Did I do right with the gradual temperature increase?
I got my Betta from a box pet store. The heat for their tiny plastic bowls was non existent. I got him home and used the sun to help maintain heat. He was doing great at 71f. I have a heater and I’ve been slowly building the heat to where its suppose to be. At first he was lethargic. He isn’t so much anymore but the heat is still at 79. He is swimming and eating fine. I dont use the sun anymore to help heat the tank.
Hey Teresa, you can absolutely cause a betta to go into shock by putting them into a tank that’s warmer than what the bag (or container) that they came in.
The best way to avoid this is by placing your fish into a plastic bag with the old water and placing that into the fish tank that’s the correct temperature. This will slowly heat up the bag the Betta is in and will prevent shock.
I would definitely rely on the heater (rather than the sun) and keep your betta out of direct sunlight so the tank doesn’t heat up further than 80. (Which seems do be what you are doing.)
Glad to hear he’s eating well and swimming around, that’s usually the best sign that your betta is doing well!
Hey I am starting to get very worried with my short finde batts fish called drogon I have not seen any waist from him for more than a week he has had a bloated stomach for more than a week and he is still wanting to eat he has been fasting for more than a week he just sits at the bottom of the tank he has a 20 leater tank with the right temperature heater and a filter I have lowered the water level so it is easier for him to breath he is bloated but hasent started to have scales rise yet (dropsy) I am worried it is going to happen to him I have tried nearly everything my last resort in the pea but I am worrie for my little mate I am using salt to help his gills but he has lost lots of colouration and his personality is gone he’s not acting normal I am afraid he will pass alway :(((
Hello Maddie, unfortunately when it comes to dropsy there is no known cure. The same thing happened to one of our fish. I’m sorry I can’t be of more help.
4 days ago my betta fish (crowntail male) was swimming all fine eating fine aswell the next day, it started to stay near the ground all the time it was perfectly fine when eating. He would swim around the fish tank or check whats up on top of the fish tank (5.5 gallon fish tank) after a few seconds it would lay down in corners or tight spots and it looks likes hes breathing rapidly. What i am guessing is that either he is sick or his fins are messed up(because one of the fin is twisted) and i am adding API bettafix(9 drops daily because the directions say repeat does daily for 7 days) but it doesn’t show any changes to my pet fish. Also shoe i keep on doing the API bettafix daily
How can I fix him up?
Hey Tristan, how long have you been dosing the BettaFix for and while you were dosing did you get rid of the carbon filter/make sure not to do small water changes as guided by the bottle?
I have been dosing it for 5 days
Hey Tristan, in that case, I would say continue until the 7-day mark. To be honest, sometimes BettaFix takes a bit longer to work (I’ve never seen results in the first few days.) The next step would be trying Melafix or Aquarium salt. Though, I would give him a little break before you start either of those treatments just to see if he bounces back. Sometimes while medicating, the fish will stay lethargic before a full water change. When you do the full water change (after the 7-days is complete) I would recommend adding some bacteria (can be bought at a fish store) to speed up the process of the cycle.
Since different fish stores provide different forms of bacteria, I would recommend speaking to one of the clerks about their experience with it and which they would recommend. Hope that helps!
Hi,
We (my family) got a beta fish about a month ago. I changed his tank and added in some of his old water, but a few days later he happens to be sinking to the bottem of tank! I watched him and he was trying to get under a rock yesterday and I’m so confused! I just want to help our little guy but I don’t know what to do! Please help!!!
Thanks 🙂
Hey Rebecca, unfortunately, this isn’t really enough information for me to be able to give you any advice. I would recommend taking a look at this post to see if he’s experiencing any other symptoms. That may help you narrow things down a bit more as to what the cause may be.
Hi John, our family Betta Violet (named before we knew he was a male) lol recently has been hiding in his little castle and not coming out but to eat. He always comes out when we go to the tank, like he loves the attention and swims happily when we do. We have a few other fish in there that never bothered him but since this we have taken them out so he has less stress. He is laying flat now all the time at the bottom of the tank, we tested he water and adjusted it to balance. We’ve given a dose of Furan as it looked like ich which he has had before. His face and mouth has white patches now. His fins look a little ragged and he’s breathing rapidly it seems like to me. But he still will eat just not as much. I’m not sure what else to do or what can save him but I feel like he just looks like he is not going to make it much longer. Any advice? Thanks
Hello Jamie, I’m so sorry to hear about Violet. If possible I would put him in a different tank altogether or giving this tank a very, very thorough scrub with vinegar (while he’s in a separate container). The only other thing that I can think that it would be (without seeing him) is Columnaris, which is also a fungus that grows on the scales, fins and mouths of bettas. When this fungus progresses it looks like cotton (you can read more about it here.) It may be worth grabbing some aquarium salt from your local fish store, as that can really help. But most important is to make sure that the containment tank that he is in is extra clean.
Hope that helps.
How much conditioner and good bacteria do you put in a one and a half gallon tank with filter? My Bette is not bloated but just staying at the bottom. I did put a little conditioner but not sure I put enough. I have 20 and 55 gallon fish tanks.also. This size is small and I put a teeny bit because I did not want to over dose.
Hey Salem, the amount of conditioner will depend on the brand that you’re using. The bottle should give guidelines on the back. I have a feeling that “a little bit” might not have been enough as some tanks require up to 5mL per 30 gallons.
As for overdosing, you can dose up to 3x the recommended amount. This is usually done to remove extra chlorine from the water.
My betta is always st the bottom of the fish tank he doesn’t have a heater filter or any of that but I make sure his water is not to cold. The pet store said to keep him in drinking water so that is the water I put in his take. Just yesterday he was a healthy and happy fish but today is just stays at the bottom of his tank and doesn’t eat anything please help
Sammy, unfortunately, it sounds like you haven’t taken a number of the steps you need to take to properly set up your betta fish’s tank. It’s really important that you follow a starter guide because this sounds like the reason he’s acting lethargic.
Hey I’m worried about my Dark Blue Betta fish named Ocean. I’ve only seen him do this today. He is laying at the bottom of the tank but is clearly breathing. Every once in awhile he will swim to the top and when I fed him this morning. His water temperature is at 78°F. I frequently change the water and pour some old water in too. Hoping to save him because this only started today. Please help my poor Ocean.
Hey Brooke, if this hasn’t been going on for too long there may not be anything wrong. Bettas who are lethargic tend to not come to the top of the tank and will often ignore food. That being said, your betta may be tired and trying to sleep in a different place. That being said, keep a close eye out on him and let me know if he has any other symptoms. Blub used to do this every so often even when he was 100% healthy, sometimes he’d even sleep upside down just to scare me!
Please keep me updated.
Please help. Beta bloated three weeks. Tried antibiotics, epsom salt, kantec, water change, dried freeze worms, peas, fasting, etc. no change petrified he is suffering.
Hey Patricia, what are your bettas symptoms?
Hi installed my beta back in late Feb of this year, 2019. I haven’t changed the water since then, 12 weeks. Ammonia levels are low, nitrite levels are low, water is crystal clear. The tank is 3 gallons, although tank has evaporated, so water level is down. I only have one beta in the tank. Fish looks happy. How long can I go without changing out the water? Will water clarity change if I don’t change out the water? I don’t notice any odors coming from the aquarium.
Hey Larry, unfortunately, I do not have the exact answer to your question as I was always taught to do a 10-50% water change (dependant on the ammonia/nitrate levels) weekly in a tank that is under 5 Gallons.
That being said, our tank (which was 2.5 Gallons) used to develop algae within 2-3 weeks if water was left unchanged.
I would give a shout to your local fish store or a vet to see if they have a more precise answer for you.
Hi, My betta started sitting in the corner at the bottom of the tank a few days ago. It seemed to happen out of the blue. One day he was swimming around and eating, and the next he just sits in one spot all day and isn’t very interested in eating, although I think he is eating at least a little. Nothing has happened to his surroundings to stress him out and no changes to his food or anything, so I’m worried that he’s sick. Any help you can offer?
Hey Lory, unfortunately without being able to see him/more information I don’t know what else to add that hasn’t been written in this article. I would, however, say that constipation/bladder problems COULD be the cause of his lethargy. Check out the longer list of betta illnesses and see if there’s anything that matches any physical changes he’s had.
HI! I bought a beta yesterday.. He is in a 1 gallon tank. He was swimming around all evening and all day today he is just laying at the bottom… He will come up a little. And he did eat. But then he goes back to the bottom. I didn’t add any water conditioner to the distilled water I put in.. Can I add it now or will that hurt him. I have no idea what I’m doin here. Should I run the filter that came with the tank and the LED light. I didn’t turn the light off last night.. Did that mess him up?
Hey Kristen, lots going on here. I’m going to break down some of the possibilities for you and try to answer your concerns as best as possible.
Firstly, it’s very common for Bettas to act lethargic when they are introduced to new tanks or environments. That being said, this could explain why your betta started off as energetic and then began to slow down a bit over time. Your betta may have tired himself out while trying to make his home suitable (as I’m not sure if you cycled your fish tank for 2-4 weeks before introducing your betta.) Cycling will ensure your betta doesn’t become stressed or lethargic, however, many fish owners don’t know it’s a must and will introduce their fish too soon. That being said, this won’t absolutely kill your fish, it’s more of a learning lesson for next time as introducing your fish to an uncycled tank will stress them out until it is suitable. (If this is the case, give a call to the store you bought your betta from and see if they have any products to help speed up the process.)
Second, you absolutely can add conditioner into the water as it will not hurt him. Distilled water is NOT conditioned water. You’re going to want to make sure that there aren’t any harmful chemicals such as chlorine (which is common in most distilled or tap water). Dependant on the brand of distilled water they may use charcoal to filter out the chlorine, but you would definitely want to read up on what chemicals are taken out and which are left in the brand you used.
Third, I’m not sure what you mean by “run the filter that came with the tank.” Are you talking about the carbon/charcoal filter that would sit in a waterfall or am I just confused? If I’m right about it being a carbon/charcoal then yes that’s an absolute must. Not having your filter in your tank will raise the acidity/ammonia in your tank and will overall cause the tank to become toxic for your betta, though, one night of not running a filter will not cause this. If you haven’t set up the filter, I would recommend doing it as soon as you can (make sure you rinse it before installing it.)
As for the LED light, you can absolutely stress out a betta by leaving the LED on for too long. You’re going to want to regulate your betta’s so it is similar to a regular day cycle. If you’re not home for the majority of the day or are a forgetful person (like I sometimes am) I would highly recommend buying yourself an automatic timer. We used to leave our light on between 8-10 hours a day.
Side note: I really, really, really recommend you return your tank and get a bigger one. While bettas can “do alright” in 1-Gallon tanks, they really don’t thrive in them and ultimately this will stress them out and shorten their lifespan. It’s a common misconception that bettas do well in betta cubes or fish bowls and truthfully… I don’t know why stores still promote them as being safe. I recommend grabbing a tank that is at least 2.5-Gallons. You can check out my post about my favourite tanks that aren’t super pricy here
You can read more about betta care and set up here and don’t hesitate to ask more questions!
Congrats on getting your new betta! I know all the information I just gave you may sound really scary, but I promise things get a lot easier quickly.
Hi Johnny.
5 days ago I bought sick Betta fish. He doesn’t swim. He floats on the top in S letter position , on his stomach sideways. I was thinking he has swim bladder disease but I starved him for 3 days and then i started giving him little bit of food, he ate and next day he pooped. But he still not getting better . All these time i keep him in the bowl , with no heater and filter. But i’m changing his water every single day and adding water conditioner with every water change and I keep him in warm room,
The reason why he is not in the fish tank, because along with my first betta , i bought my first fish tank (2.6 gal ) and nobody told me in the pet store that i have to cycle tank first . So my tank cycling right now but i don’t know if my fish will survive until it’s done.
Also, i’m not sure about the overall look of my betta and his color. Due to , I bought him already like that , i dont know if he is color fading or its just his look like that.
What kind of disease is this ? How can i save him?
Thank you so much in advance
Hey Uliana, to be honest, it sounds like he’s extremely stressed. It’s hard to be able to diagnose his condition without seeing him, but it doesn’t like something our store fish used to go through. Because you’re changing the water so frequently, there aren’t enough good bacteria in the water which makes your Betta have to try harder to produce it. How long do you have left until your tank is cycled? My advice is to get him into a full tank as soon as possible and speak to a store consultant about perhaps adding bacteria into the tank to help speed along the process (unless this was part of your cycle, which it often is.)
Please feel free to keep me updated.
Im so new to this , can you please explain what is good bacteria ? I just started cycling water a few days ago and as per information in internet it takes from 3 weeks to 2 months .
To the fish tank, im adding every day food so it can decay and give me ammonia.
But I need to find the way how to treat him or keep him alive in the bowl at least for 3 weeks .Is it possible? Im changing the water every day because I afraid his waste will produce ammonia and it can kill him.
Daily water changes can be good in spaces as small as his, however, it sounds like it’s not doing him a favour right now. I would recommend scaling back the water changes for now to every other day or every 3rd day.
As for cycling. There are a few ways you can speed up the process of your cycling, especially when your fish is waiting to be put into the tank. I would speak to your local pet store to see if they have any products to help you with that.
If you’re worried about the ammonia levels, I highly recommend getting a water test. It will come in handy in the future as well. That way you can ensure that your fish has enough ammonia in the water and not too much at the same time.
Similar to humans, Bettas need good bacteria and not bad bacteria. The simplest way to put it is: bettas need a bit of dirt (not soil, just natural waste) in their tanks for it to be safe for them. If water is too clean they may exhibit lethargy because they are having to work extra hard to make sure their environment is safe for them. (This is a big reason why we cycle tanks and try not to do 100% water changes)
Thank you so much.
I will go to the pet store and try to get bacteria for my tank to speed up the cycle. Also i will get water test kit.
The last thing , can you help me better understand about cycling ? So far i know this : we need ammonia, to produce nitrites and then nitrates. When i test water , how much ammonia is must be so it can turn to nitrites and for how long? And same with nitrites to nitrates ?
I don’t really understand that.
Thank you for your time and help
Hey John! I have a bloodmoon betta fish named Smaug. He lives in a tank by himself and he is almost 6 years old. He started to become lethargic around 4 and a half years old, but I thought he was just getting tired from being “elderly”. The only thing that could have stressed him out was that I was rearranging my room but that was months ago. His symptoms have gotten worse over time. He is lethargic, laying at the bottom, wont eat and is not as bright in color and in personality as he was before. He was so sweet and bubbly and if you called his name he would swim up to your face in the tank. He is such a good boy. But now he wont move at all. When I come home from school, hes in the same position as he was when I left. We make sure that his food pellets aren’t to big either. We clean the tank quite frequently and always make sure to leave some his nitrated water. We always clean the plants/rocks that have algae in them, aswell as the tank itself with clean, sterile water. He has a pump, a heater, and a purifier. We have fasted him, quarintined him, and made sure his water temp constantly stays at 79°F. I am really worried sick about him and I need to know what to do with him. Please help him!!
Hey Alayna, first off, I’m so sorry to hear about Smaug not feeling so chipper. From what you’ve mentioned, it sounds like you’re doing exactly what he needs, however, 6 years old is a great lifespan for Bettas (who usually live between 2-4 years in captivity.)
I wish there was further advice I could give you, but again based on what you’ve mentioned you’ve pretty much got all the important lifestyle needs covered. The only thing that may help is extra bacteria or aquarium salt, but that’s usually only necessary when you make 100% water changes.
Is he eating at all? Because if he is, then his body may just be slowing down with age (as mentioned), but you can also try giving him a piece of pea just in case he has any bowel discomfort (just make sure to remove the pea if he doesn’t eat it).
I hope that helps a little bit, it’s pretty hard to diagnose a fish over the internet, especially when I see nothing wrong with the methods of you take care of them. I will say again though, you’ve done a great job taking care of him as 6-years old is a great age!
Thanks so much! I feed him around 5 pellets and we are lucky if he eats 2 of them. We will try the pea method and see if that works. I’m not sure if this has any significance, but he looks a little bloated on the area below his head. I’m not sure if that is where his stomach is or if its somewhere else. Thank you for this information and I will definately try out the pea (which shall be thawed/cooked)?) And the bacteria/aquarium salt. And just making sure, they are freshwater fish not saltwater? I have him in fresh water now. Thanks again!
My beta has lost his top fin a long time ago, he also always lays on the bottom. He will swim up to eat but only once then lay back on the bottom I have been putting stuff for his fin to grow back and it never has. Is he not swimming because he doesn’t have a top fin? I think he’s just sick. I’ve also had him for 2 years and he’s been like this for a very long time, but never died.
It would be hard to say without seeing him, to be honest.
What have you been using to help his fin grow back? Some products tend to be more effective than others. My favourite product is a mixture of BettaFix and Aquarium Salt. Remember, you’re going to have to be consistently cleaning the tank while medicating your fish or else the medicine won’t be effective. Guidelines should be on the bottle of when to do water changes.
My other question is, how long is “a very long time?” If it’s been a few months, yes he could be sick, however, if it’s been about a year, chances are its fin rot. Otherwise, most illnesses would overtake your betta by now.
The only other reason your Betta may be lethargic is the size of the tank or boredom. If he’s feeling too confined or feels like he doesn’t have much to do, he’ll sleep for the majority of the day. Unfortunately, I don’t know your setup and again it would be hard to diagnose that without being there.
Hopefully, that extra info helped! 🙂
Yes, he hasn’t had the fin for about a Year I was guessing it was fin rot and I’ve been using the one thing you suggested. He is in a pretty big tank definitely not small
Okay good to know, have you also been using the salt and been doing water changes/pH checks? Salt + the BettaFix tend to go hand in hand, especially for more severe fin rot.
Honestly, one thing of aquarium salt lasts for about a year or so, dependant on how much you need!
Thank you. I feel so bad because I really loved Louie just like I do all my pets. And I have been feeling horrible because I thought I did something wrong. My husband & daughter told me that he was probably just old. I feel a little better now but am sure gonna miss him swimming around & playing in his bubbles.
I bought Louie 2 & a half years ago from Walmart & he was just a little guy. I know Walmart don’t have a good reputation with their fish so I was actually surprised he survived a week let alone 2+ years. Believe me he was a very spoiled fishy. He had 2 houses to hide in, lots of plants, a whisper filter, a bubble stone for extra oxygen & color changing lights & then last year we got him a friend Freddy the crown tail Betta & they have been next to each other ever since. Is 2 & a half considered old age?
Melissa, 2 and a half can sometimes be known as an old age, again dependant on how the fish was bred and taken care of originally. Did Louie have many dark lines on him from stress? I know that he spent a year next to Freddy, but sometimes being near another Betta can induce stress. Even if their tanks aren’t directly next to each other it’s commonly recommended to frost over one side so they can’t fully see each other.
From what you’ve been saying so far, it really seems like you took great care of Louie and it doesn’t sound like death from poor care at all 🙂
My husband went to check for the signs & he informed me that it appears that Louie has passed away. What can cause a happy healthy fish to die suddenly?
I’m so sorry to hear Melissa. We also lost our Betta early last week. Although, he had a few weeks of being lethargic, unfortunately. To the knowledge I have, quick death commonly is due to constipation, stress or old age. There are also some hereditary illnesses that could have been affecting him that weren’t obvious from just looking at him. Bettas do have a fairly short life expectancy (being 3-5 years) and the treatment they received while in the pet store/by their breeder does heavily impact how long their life expectancy is.
Last week when our Betta passed we couldn’t come to the conclusion of why he died. We sent multiple pictures to our vet friends and did all of the troubleshooting any pet owner could do, but in the end, we were told he was probably just getting old. Our Betta was just over 3 years old (although we don’t know how long he was in the pet store for.)
Again, it’s extremely difficult to help let you know what the actual root of his death was without seeing him, but if he didn’t show any other signs of illness the chances of him passing from something you could not control are fairly high.
My 2& a half year old male beta, Louie was fine yesterday but today I went to feed him & he was laying on his side, not moving, at the bottom of his tank. The water isn’t much colder than it normally is. I haven’t done anything different. He gets fed twice a day & has been since I’ve had him & I got him as a baby. I have a variety of food. He has pellets, blood worms & flakes all for Bettas. I change his water every month because he’s in a 10 gallon tank. I have never had a problem until now. I have another male Betta in another 10 gallon tank right next to him & he is fine. Is Louie dying & can I help him?
Hey Melissa, unfortunately, I can’t completely answer whether or not Louie is dying based on just what you said (I’d have to see him and examine him). Have you tried giving him a bit of pea yet for constipation? (That’s usually my first go to if a fishie isn’t swimming much).
Also, have you checked him for signs of anything else? ie. fin rot clamping, etc? I wrote a longer article here with all the symptoms and their remedies.
Please feel free to give me more information. I’m hoping he springs back <3
Got our Betta a new 5 gallon fish tank. Ever since we’ve moved him, he is just laying on the bottom. The pet store told us to feed him every other day, but I read on line to feed 2x a day. So he might be constipated because of the increase in food. I think it might be a mixture of that and stress shock from the move. It has been about a day and I’m worried.
Hey Hilary. Commonly Bettas will stay at the bottom during the first day after a water change. We had this issue too, it’s normal and your Betta will start swimming very soon.
I’m not home right now, so I can’t link you to the article, but I have one called something along the lines of “why I won’t change my Betta tank 100% anymore” or something about a full water change. It mentions how Blub was acting lethargic after a water change.
Thank you for your reply. It has been 2.5 days. We got a thermometer and it barely registered 70 degrees so today we got a heater. I’ll keep you up dated.
Sounds good ! Wishing you all the best
Yesterday was his first day of swimming around like normal! Yay!
That’s so exciting! <3
I have 3 female bettas in 7.5G tank. Now one of them just lies at the bottom of the tank. She comes up to eat but cant eat. I don’t know what’s wrong with her. She hasn’t eaten in 2 days and it bothers me so much. Chkd the water with my kit, all is fine. it has a heater and a filter. The other 2 are doing great. What could be wrong with my poor lucy? Oh, and water is conditioned with Stability, I use prinstine and also stress guard. Pls pls help.
Do you know how old Lucy is?
Hi, I have a betta. Got him a year back. He has stopped eating. I have done a 50% water change but he just sits at the bottom. Not doing anything. I thought he was lonely so I got another Betta in a tank next to his, hoping that if he saw another Betta he would start acting like himself again. This however has not happened. I noticed tonight that his 1 eye is a bit swollen. I am not sure what to do for him anymore. I keep the tank clean, i have added 2 live plants, he has a heater and an air stone and a filter and I got him a friend in a tank next to his but still nothing. I am really worried. He is much bigger then the new betta so I am guessing he is much older. I just dont know what to do anymore. Any advice will be much appreciated. Oh he actually ate 3 days ago but I noticed that he couldn’t stay up straigt and was kinda flopping to his side, trying to catch the food. Since then, nothing. This breaks my heart not knowing whats wrong with him. Please please help.
Hi Lallie, a few questions. First, how big is the tank? Normally I wouldn’t recommend having more than one Betta in the same tank, unless you have experience. Has the other Betta fish been giving your first Betta any trouble? If your Betta’s eye is a bit swollen, you will want to check the symptoms for Popeye. It’s completely curable, and that post will also tell you some more information about Popeye in general.
As for your tank, everything sounds good, although does he have anything to interact with? Sometimes Bettas get bored. They need a fair amount of stimulation, so I would recommend checking out this post to see how you can keep your Betta Fish happy!
If he’s flopping on his side he may have something called bloat. This can be tied in with constipation, which oftentimes leaves a fish lethargic. Take a look at this guide to the most common Betta illnesses and see if any of the symptoms match for you.
It’s hard to know what’s going on with your Betta without seeing your set-up, but given the information of him being lethargic and swimming on one side, it sounds like he was overfed and has bloat/constipation. Dependant on what you’re feeding your Betta, there are different amounts you’re going to want to feed a day. A piece of a cooked pea should work if this is constipation/bloat.
Feel free to keep me updated!
My Betta is just sitting at the bottom of the tank, motionless and not eating. I keep changing the tank water to make it warmer because every time I cancel it it’s cold. I don’t have a heater or thermometer I’m the tank, and I don’t have any decorations. Should I get those things? Would they help?
Hey Bea, how often are you changing the tank to make it “warmer”? Changing the water too frequently can also stress out your Betta especially if you aren’t adding bacteria or water conditioner. We had an experience like this which you can read about here.
I would highly recommend getting a thermometer and a heater for the tank, especially because you’re changing the water so often. Decorations are also great because they allow your fish to hide in places when they are trying to sleep or play.
From what you’re telling me right now, I’m guessing it’s just frequent water changes that are stressing out the Betta since the tank isn’t “cycled.” While clean water is great for Bettas, Bettas still need a little bit of dirt/bacteria/nitrates to survive.
Hope that helps you! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Our Beta use to be swimming all the time… and even be watching us as we eat as his/ her 2 gallon tank is on our island where we eat. Lately it has had little interest in us, hardly swims to the top to even eat, lays on the rocks at the bottom of the tank. I have used Beta Fix, always use a conditioner in the water, changed and cleaned everything in its tank. Starved it for a couple of days then fed it a pea. Now trying bets revive. We put a thermometer in its tank and it reads around 75. We have a 10watt heater in the tank. Every other heater I found would make its tank to hot. What can be wrong and what can I do for our beta.
Hello Patty, I’m sorry to hear that your Betta is still acting lethargic. I have to ask a couple of questions: how old is your Betta fish and does he have any toys or objects to stimulate him?
My fish sits on his tail a lot and stares at his reflection. A few days ago he rolled over and started flapping his fins. He’s still alive. I’m just trying to see/figure out what I can do to make him more comfortable.
Have you checked out the Betta Hammocks? They’re fairly popular and given the way you just described how your Betta likes to sleep, I feel like he would use it! Check it out! If you need any other recommendations, I’m more than happy to give you some!
Is it okay if I have less conditioning than the required amount.
BTW I have a female crown fish!!!
Less conditioner can stress out your fish. It won’t kill them, but I would definitely try to get more as soon as you can!
Thanks so much for all the information! My sister and I have a betta and we noticed that he’s laying near the bottom of the fish tank in his little cave and won’t eat. We cleaned the tank but didn’t do a 100% water change, and bought an air pump and water conditioner! Hopefully this works and he starts to act normally again! You give great advice, thanks so much!!!
Glad to help! Feel free to message me or e-mail me with any updates or concerns!
Too little oxygen? I thought betas also came to the top for air bc they use something called labyrinth instead of gills?
Hey Nikki. Yup, Bettas commonly breathe at the top of their tank with the use of their labyrinth organ, but they can still breathe and get air through the water using their gills. They have both!
my betta lays at the bottom of the tank quite often, when i approach the tank he starts to become active and swims to the surface. He always eats, I’ve never had a problem with food, but he is not as active as i notice he was when i first got him. he lays at the bottom for hours on end and from time to time he’ll make a bubble nest.
is he bored or lonely?
and if so how could i fix this?
Theres definitely a chance he’s bored or lonely. You may want to get him some toys like mirrors or places to swim around/in.
If he’s eating and making bubble nests, there’s a good chance he’s healthy.
I wouldn’t add another fish into the mixture unless you’ve done the proper amount of research on which fish do well with Bettas and make sure you have a very large tank.
My “how to make sure your Betta is happy” article has some advice for toys or trinkets you can add to the tank. I currently don’t have a computer, so I can’t really suggest too many toys right now, but if you want to shoot me an email I’ll be able to give you more ideas when I get the internet set up in our new place 🙂
Wow, you know an awful lot about fish, and esp your Betta fish.
You could be helpful to new Betta fish owners that is for sure.
I thought you were going to tell us that your Blub was not well…hope he is just fine and showing off his pretty colors for you.
Aw thanks friends! I really hope that I can be helpful to other fish owners. I’m really trying to pump out and share some of the knowledge I have, because I’ve learned so much from others, especially in scary pet health times!
Sorry for the scare! Yes, Blub is doing awesome! We did have this happen to Flub a few months back who actually ended up passing from what we assume is age (just from how he looked after)
I’ve never had a Betta or any fish! This is great advice and I’ll keep a copy just in case I ever do!
Hey momma! Glad to be able to give you some advice in case you ever do get a Betta! <3
And our mom thought interpreting cats was hard! She would be too nervous to have fish.
Oh man! I can understand why, but I assure her that after a while you get the hang of it!
Got to keep your Betta happy!
Absolutely! And it may actually be trickier than you expect 😉