BellaOnline Forums Home and Garden Fish Fish Journal - BETTAS ONLY

Hi Emg, yes there's a top on my aquarium, hehe I had to keep going back to Walmart to look for one, they were out of stock for a bit! I have the Aquaview one, with the black cover and the light built in, its a triangle!

He has a plant that he camouflages with, which he uses to hide from Eeyore and Toulouse. It's funny, I have two other cats and they don't pay any attention to him. My tomkitty, Rufus was a stray, so I would have figured he would be my hunter. Ah well, it's better that the fishie bores him, he's strong <img src="/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />

I was going to leave the light on all night tonight, but it went up to 81 in his tank, usually the thermometer stays between 77 and 79. Is 81 ok? Or too hot?

He's been swimming around a bit when he thinks I'm not watching. I love his fins. So pretty. My avatar picture just does not do him justice. Tomorrow I will try to get a close up in proper lighting. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Ah...the AquaView tank...I know it well....I have about 7 or 8 of them around here ! Lol !

81 isn't too high for a betta...unless the temp fluctuates from 76-81 back and forth throughout the day. Bettas can stand temps from 70-over 80..(they do prefer it at the warmer end)..as long as it is "stable". At the lower end they are pretty droopy and inactive..not much fun for them really. I guess if the temp is going from 77-81...you need to find another place for him maybe...where they don't change so much....hhmmmm....small tanks are so hard to keep stable..any chance of getting a larger one in the near future ?

I have 3 of my aquaview tanks in a cubby area on my computer desk...they fit right in there and are surrounded on 3 sides and on top by shelving. The temps stay pretty stable at about 78 and I keep those lights on all the time.

You know, you could go to a lower wattage bulb...just thought of that. I believe the bulbs they come with are 7 watts....you could pick up a 4 or 5 watt (I think they have 5 watts in that size??) and see what that keeps the temps at...give that a try if you're concerned with it being too warm.

Well I tried the pea thing, but he didn't touch it, so should I wait a few more days and try again, or should I maybe get some sort of medicine? I don't know what's wrong with him. I have watched him more and more. He is really off-balance. I mean he will go to bottom to lay down and he will fall over on his side, and then have to force his way back up. He has been hiding more and more in the makeshift cave I made for him. He only comes up for air. He doesn't swim around. I tried feeding him and he just ignores it. The other day he was floating with his head towards the surface and his tail at the bottom. I thought he was dead, and when I tapped on the glass he swam his way down to the bottom and leaned against the glass.

I really don't know what to do. I am sorta worried about Heavy Metal poisoning, cause I have been kinda sick myself and I am wondering if the water might be bad at my new apt. Any ideas other then swim bladder cause I don't think that's the problem.

hey guys, how do you post pics on here?

Logic, is he bloated at all ? Does his belly look big and distended with his scales poking out ? I am wondering about dropsy, just lost one to that last week. If that's what it is there is nothing you can do but make him comfortable. I have a picture of one of my bettas with dropsy on page 55 of this thread.

If all it is is constipation...give him another day or two of fasting, then offer the pea again. How warm is the temp of his bowl? I think warmer, around 80, helps some. Aquarium salt may help too. Keep his water good and clean and be sure the new water you put in is the same temp as what's in there.

Other than that, unless there are some definite signs of a particular illness or issue I wouldn't treat him with any meds. Meds are very stressful and can sometimes just make things worse for the fish...unless you are treating for an obvious bacterial or fungal condition or parasites, usually good clean water and warm temps with aquarium salt are best.

All the best to you and your little bud !

I looked at your pictures. I looked at my fish, and he doesn't look very bloated. He actually looks to thin to me. However, what your fish was doing in that picture looks a lot like what my fish is doing. Find a place for himself to lay and not having to worry about moving much. The only time he moves is for air.

Mashi- my Betta refuses to eat anything but freeze dried bloodworms. One thing you will learn very quickly about this fish is that they know what they want and are stubborn to no end! However, you will grow to love them despite this <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Try a variety of foods, such as pellats, flakes, nad freeze dried foods. There is freeze dried blood worms, krill, and brine shrimp that he may eat. I am going to try to freeze dried krill this weekend on Rusty.

I'm sorry you're having a tough time with your betta logic. If you're worried about the water you are using for him, I've read it in here somewhere that some pet stores will test your water for free. If that's the problem there are treatments you can buy for metals and such. I hope you get it figured out soon.

That's a good idea Logic. See if you could get your water tested to be sure things are ok for him. From what you have discribed, it sounds like constipation...just give him a few more days and keep trying to get him to eat a little bit of a pea.

Well I am even more afraid that it might something more malignant then being constipated. He has a healthy appetite when I can attract him to the food. He has absolutely no balance what-so-ever. He can't even swim straight anymore. His swimming is very labored. There is no gliding he is jerking back and forth just to get a bit of air. Now it seems he gets so tired after just swimming up for air he will just rest near the surface for a few minutes then sink back down to the bottom.

I know I am being a bit obsessive on this, but I just wish there was something I could do =0(. Oh well thought I would give you an update.