New Betta won't eat

[bettanewbie]

I've never had a fish before and want to be sure I'm doing what I should to keep my new Betta happy and healthy. It's only 2 days old, came from Petco, and doesn't look as energetic as when it was in it's pint size container. I have him in a round fish bowl (about 2 1/2 - 3 quarts) with green gravel on the bottom. By the way, are air bubbles on the gravel a sign of anything bad?

I was told to feed him the dried bloodworms every other day and to change the water with tap water (we have a water softener) when it looks like it needs it, about once a week.

So far it hasn't eaten anything that I can tell. Do I change about 50% of the water? We had a cold night and my house temp is currently only 66 degrees. Will my Betta be okay? Should I get a heater? Is it okay to keep a light on overhead for it? Do they prefer smaller spaces? Should I get a plastic plant for it?

So many questions! You're help is greatly appreciated!

[ifish]

bettas can go a month without food domnt worry if hes hungry he will eat

[dramaqueen]

Hello and welcome to FishForum. 2 1/2 to 3 quarts is too small for a betta. If you can, try to get him something bigger. This will allow you to put in a heater. Bettas need to be at 76-82 degrees and are lethargic when they are cold. I don't know about the air bubbles on the gravel.In a bowl less than a gallon, change the water 2-3 times a week.Do a full change. Make sure to dechlorinate it first. You can feed him a pellet food as his staple diet and feed bloodworms as a treat once or twice a week. You can put a lamp near his bowl for now to help keep him warm. I wouldn't put a plant in there because of lack of space. I hope this helps.

[IonBaller07]

Yah basically what dramaqueen said, but to add, if you do setup a lamp next to his bowl turn it off at night so he can get some sleep, and the air bubbles are fine I think its from the tap water, mine does it too when I change out alot of the water my entire ten gallon will be covered in little bubbles.

[bettanewbie]

Originally Posted by dramaqueen

Hello and welcome to FishForum. 2 1/2 to 3 quarts is too small for a betta. If you can, try to get him something bigger. This will allow you to put in a heater. Bettas need to be at 76-82 degrees and are lethargic when they are cold. I don't know about the air bubbles on the gravel.In a bowl less than a gallon, change the water 2-3 times a week.Do a full change. Make sure to dechlorinate it first. You can feed him a pellet food as his staple diet and feed bloodworms as a treat once or twice a week. You can put a lamp near his bowl for now to help keep him warm. I wouldn't put a plant in there because of lack of space. I hope this helps.

To be clear, a full change means 100% of the water? I thought they need some of the old water to prevent some sort of shock? Also, how much pellet food is the right amount and frequency?

Thanks for your help!

[dramaqueen]

No, a 100% change won't shock them at all. I change all mine 100% except my 4 gallon. If your tank is cycled then you would not change the water 100%. You can feed 2-3 pellets 2 times a day.

[beatlesusan]

So a 1/2 gallon tank is too small for a betta? Why do they need the room?

[Campbell]

Originally Posted by beatlesusan

So a 1/2 gallon tank is too small for a betta? Why do they need the room?

They can live in a half gallon. But it takes frequent water changes because ammonia builds up and can quickly poison a fishy. In a half gallon tank I would be doing 50% water changes 3 times a week. It can also cause them to be over weight because they can't really swim around. Your betta will have a longer and happier life in a larger tank, plus it says lots of cleaning time.

[dramaqueen]

Bowls that small need 100% water changes two or three times a week. Bettas need room to swim around. They are quite active when the water conditions are right.

[bettanewbie]

I bought new food today because the bloodworms were still seemingly untouched. I changed the water and put in 3 pellets a few hours ago and my betta hasn't touched them yet. I'm becoming paranoid I think because it seems to be "gasping" for air. Is this normal?