Lethargic Betta

[Five Furlongs]

My Betta fish has been lethargic since I have gotten him back to school. He is in a 2 gallon tank. He is moving around just not as much as usual and he seems kind of off. He was tilted on his side once and when I went near him he got up and swam away. Any ideas of what I should do for him? Thanks!

[madmonahan]

More information would help:

http://www.bettafish.com/showthread.php?t=49233

[Sixwolf]

Sometimes it can be temperature. They're more active at their upper temperature range.

[MattsBettas]

Yup, we need you to fill this form out (copy, paste, and type beside the questions.) Here it is-

Housing
What size is your tank?
What temperature is your tank?
Does your tank have a filter?
Does your tank have an air stone or other type of aeration?
Is your tank heated?
What tank mates does your betta fish live with?

Food
What type of food do you feed your betta fish?
How often do you feed your betta fish?

Maintenance
How often do you perform a water change?
What percentage of the water do you change when you perform a water change?
What type of additives do you add to the water when you perform a water change?

Water Parameters:
Have you tested your water? If so, what are the following parameters?

Ammonia:
Nitrite:
Nitrate:
pH:
Hardness:
Alkalinity:

Symptoms and Treatment
How has your betta fish's appearance changed?
How has your betta fish's behavior changed?
When did you start noticing the symptoms?
Have you started treating your fish? If so, how?
Does your fish have any history of being ill?
How old is your fish (approximately)?


Also, pictures from the top and the side would help. Sounds to me like swim bladder disorder, in which case you should fast for three days. We cannot be sure without the above information, though.

[Five Furlongs]

Housing
What size is your tank? 2 gallons
What temperature is your tank? Room temperature
Does your tank have a filter? No
Does your tank have an air stone or other type of aeration? No
Is your tank heated? No
What tank mates does your betta fish live with? None

Food
What type of food do you feed your betta fish? Omega one Betta buffet pellets
How often do you feed your betta fish? 2x a day

Maintenance
How often do you perform a water change? Once per week
What percentage of the water do you change when you perform a water change? 100%
What type of additives do you add to the water when you perform a water change? API stress coat

Water Parameters:
Have you tested your water? If so, what are the following parameters? My water is not tested but he has been fine in it for months.

Symptoms and Treatment
How has your betta fish's appearance changed? More black spots have appeared on his body.
How has your betta fish's behavior changed? He is slower and more lethargic.
When did you start noticing the symptoms? Today (1/14/13)
Have you started treating your fish? If so, how? No treatment yet
Does your fish have any history of being ill? No
How old is your fish (approximately)? I got him not quite a year ago

[callistra]

He's freezing unless your room is 80F+ and then it needs to be a stable 80F+ with no dips at night peaks in the day.

What color is his poop? Is he pooping daily? Is he bloated at all?

How much stress coat are you using?

How do you acclimate during a water change?

You should get a good adjustable 25w heater like Jager or Marineland Visitherm. Always suggest giving it a good test run for 24hours in similar sized container with thermometer to make sure it will hold a proper temp. Then you'll need to acclimate your betta very slowly tot he higher temp at 1 degree per hour and no more than 5 degrees per day until you get it to 78-80 degrees. Rely on your in tank thermometer,not heater for setting.

Photos would help otherwise.

I would increase water changes to twice weekly.. add an extra 50% mid week.