BellaOnline Forums Home and Garden Fish Fish Journal - BETTAS ONLY

Apparently we are! I want them to be happy and healthy. They all come to the front of their tanks when I come into the area. So cute.

Nan

Ok well unfortunately my first Betta died in less then one day. I think there was something wrong with him, trying not to admit it may have been my fault.

Anyway my new betta is still alive after 48hrs. I do have a problem I am hoping you all can help me with. My new betta will not eat. I don't know why. I don't know if it's the food, or if it's cause he is getting used to his new home. Any suggestions on what the problem might be. Someone said something about the PH levels in the water. If that is something I need to know about let me know please. I really don't want to lose two fish in a row.

Josh

Hello Josh!

You can try taking some of the tank water to the fish store and ask them to test it for you. Just to be sure of the levels in your water.

Bettas are finicky eaters. It could be that he doesn't like what you have to offer..or just isn't used to it. I have one fish that won't touch the BioGold betta pellets I have at all...but will eat the cheapo pellets I got from Walmart...go figure, no accounting for taste!

They also are touchy about changes, so it may be a matter of just getting used to his new surroundings.

If you don't have his tank heated in any way, it may help to bring his temps up to the low 80's. They really like warmer water and that may help him decide that this new place 'aint so bad'. As far as the food...if he's just being finicky..keep trying different stuff or just offer the same thing till he eats it.

I'm sure he's fine Josh...let us know how he does!

Emg <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Hi Josh,

Glad to hear your #2 betta is doing ok. I agree that they can be big time picky eaters -- my son's wouldn't eat his betta bites, or frozen bloodworms. Sheesh! I guess when he gets hungry enough, he'll eat.

Nan

Josh, I wouldn't worry right away. When I first got my fishies, one of them wouldn't eat for 3 weeks. All he did was sulk, i tried this & that to make him happy, but only found that he likes having a bubbler and the colour green.
You should really read through alot of these posts, as they have alot of information. Your fishie is most likely adjusting to a new home. Moving them into a new home is stressful for them. Keep attempting to feed him (not too much) every day until he snaps out of it.
Also maybe ina few more days try giving him something nice in his home like a toy. Ask Jilly and other about toys for fishies.

-- mel

it's nice to add a large snail shell or small terra-cotta flower pot, on it's side, for a cave for your friend. Or make a cave out of rocks. they like to have a home to hide in. also they like silk plants and plastic bird toys to swim around and thru.

I have some snail shells if you are interested.

Well I do actually think he is eating although I don't know. This is the first pet fish I have had since I was like 10 yrs old, and that was a goldfish. Does some of the food stay around even after he eats? Cause what I have noticed is that all the food pellets will be floating on top of the water. Then 8hrs later it will be on the bottom. For example feed him before I go to work, and then when I come back there is nothing on top of the water anymore. So I can't decide whether he is eating or it's just floating to the bottom.

I am going to have to get an aquarium. Right now he is in a really big glass vase that my mom gave me for the fish. The plan I had fell apart and had to be removed. So I will have to come up with something else. Thanks for all your help so far. I am glad that I found this forum. When I was looking for help it was a shot in the dark to put in Betta Fish Forum. Then poof there you all were. I will read through the other posts. I just finished the book I bought on Bettas.

You haven't said what it is you are trying to feed him. Most do it the bio gold pellets but not all. Follow directions don't overfeed, but 3 weeks is an awfully longtime. I hope you find something he likes in a week or so. Frozen brine shrimp, frozen bloodworms and freeze dried bloodworms are also worth a try.
Good luck with your new friend
glo

Hi Logic. Glad you found us!

it sounds like you are overfeeding the tank. there should never be food left on the bottom to rot...it leads to dreaded finrot

Either feed less (like place 2-3 pellets in the water, remove them if they are not immediately eaten), or try siphoning the gunk daily. An airline tube or turkey baster works, also a syringe.

I'm not sure what kind of food it is. It's a blue bottle. It says Betta Food and made by a company called Wardley. I don't know how much to feed the fish cause I'm not sure when he eats if ever. I mean I hate to think that he hasn't eaten at all in a week. One time I saw him take a piece of food in his mouth. It looked like he was chewing it, and then he spit it back out. I am going to have to find something he likes to eat.