AboutAmber Worman Expertise I specialize in Gouramis, Black Moors, Fantail goldfish, and Bettas. I can answer questions about fish behavior, tank mates, diseases, and living conditions. I do not have much experience with breeding these types of fish, however.
Experience Fish are my passion - I have raised these types of fish for as long as I can remember. I am a college student at Purdue University where I have a major in Biology and a position as a lab technician in a fish laboratory.<BR><BR><b>Organizations</b><BR>Howard/Muir Laboratory<BR>
Question I've had my Betta now for three years. He was generally not a very active fish, however, if I was to tap on his tank, or when I fed him, he would swim around. About three weeks ago, he was eating twice a day, and eating all six pellets I put in his cage. Also, he was making a bubble nest at the top of his cage and was swimming around quite frequently. In the last week, he won't eat, and he just sits at the bottom of his tank. He won't even go into his cave that he usually stays in most of the day. He just sits in the bottom corner of his tank. I tried taking half of his water out and filling it with fresh water with water conditioner, but this didn't seem to do anything. He doesn't seem to react to anything anymore and I'm worried that he is dying. The temperature of my room is about the same it's been all year, maybe slightly cooler, but he was in much colder conditions last year and was fine. It seems like his face is more grey and black than before but he hasn't lost any of his body color. His tank hasn't been cleaned for a good two months, but he hates it when I clean his tank, and generally I don't do so until the water is very dirty. Is there something wrong with my fish? If so what can I do to help him.
Answer Hello Brittany -
The best thing to do for your little guy would be to do a complete tank change. Move your betta to a small container, then empty out the old tank. Scrub it out with hot water, then replace with fresh water that is approximately 80 F. Use a deconditioner, like Tetra AquaSafe, to remove chemicals from the water before adding your betta. A dose of Melafix may be just what your betta needs to get his spunk back - add this before adding your betta. To introduce your betta, pour some of the new water into the container your betta is in (approx. 50-50) then pour everything back into the big tank, including the betta.
It's normal for bettas to sulk or "freak out" for a while while they get used to the new water. Hopefully the new water and the Melafix will help your betta.
