Hi
My nephew moved in with a betta in a dirty tank. I started reading this forum and decided to get a new tank (2.5 gallon, now I wish it was even bigger), with a very quiet filter and a mini heater (for 2-5 gallon tanks, but I don't think it works that great). I've been feeding Betta Gold (2-3 pellets twice a day). The tank is a constant 78-80 degrees.
The fish appears to be totally health (I've been reading about all the common problems and he doesn't appear to have any). He's been very active, eating well, being a clown and overall just a very happy fish.
Today was one week since I set up his tank, so I did a 100% water change. I tried to be careful, but two things may have happened. First, I may have added just a little bit more of the water conditioner than I was supposed to (it said 1 tsp per gallon, and I had already prepared 3 gallon jugs with 3 tsp). When I measured out the conditioner, a few extra drops spilled in, so I'm not sure if that is super bad or not). The other thing is that I waited for the water to get warm before putting him back in the clean tank, and I think it was only at 74-76 when I put him in, not the usual 78. I also had some difficulty getting him back into the tank. I had to chase him with the net a bit, so I think he got a bit scared.
Anyway, so now he's in his tank and it's 78 degrees and he won't move. Every once in a while he swims around a bit and goes for air, but then he either settles on the bottom of the tank or floats around the top and doesn't move. I tried giving him a couple of pellets but he won't eat.
So.... I'm thinking:
1) I should do another 100% water change (maybe there's too much conditioner in the water?) or maybe something got into the water (I don't see how since I was trying to be very careful).
2) Maybe the fish is just in shock and it's going to take a while for him to get back to his old self?
3) Maybe he just got too cold and he needs some time to recover?
It just seemed like the transition to the clean tank was stressful to him. I feel like I need to figure something else out besides trying to chase him around with the net. Maybe I just really shocked him, or even hurt him? I didn't like get him between the net and the side of the cup or anything, but I'm just so worried that maybe somehow he got hurt when I didn't realize.
Hopefully it's just shock and he'll be okay in a little while. If anyone is reading this, please give me a suggestion.
Thanks.
My nephew moved in with a betta in a dirty tank. I started reading this forum and decided to get a new tank (2.5 gallon, now I wish it was even bigger), with a very quiet filter and a mini heater (for 2-5 gallon tanks, but I don't think it works that great). I've been feeding Betta Gold (2-3 pellets twice a day). The tank is a constant 78-80 degrees.
The fish appears to be totally health (I've been reading about all the common problems and he doesn't appear to have any). He's been very active, eating well, being a clown and overall just a very happy fish.
Today was one week since I set up his tank, so I did a 100% water change. I tried to be careful, but two things may have happened. First, I may have added just a little bit more of the water conditioner than I was supposed to (it said 1 tsp per gallon, and I had already prepared 3 gallon jugs with 3 tsp). When I measured out the conditioner, a few extra drops spilled in, so I'm not sure if that is super bad or not). The other thing is that I waited for the water to get warm before putting him back in the clean tank, and I think it was only at 74-76 when I put him in, not the usual 78. I also had some difficulty getting him back into the tank. I had to chase him with the net a bit, so I think he got a bit scared.
Anyway, so now he's in his tank and it's 78 degrees and he won't move. Every once in a while he swims around a bit and goes for air, but then he either settles on the bottom of the tank or floats around the top and doesn't move. I tried giving him a couple of pellets but he won't eat.
So.... I'm thinking:
1) I should do another 100% water change (maybe there's too much conditioner in the water?) or maybe something got into the water (I don't see how since I was trying to be very careful).
2) Maybe the fish is just in shock and it's going to take a while for him to get back to his old self?
3) Maybe he just got too cold and he needs some time to recover?
It just seemed like the transition to the clean tank was stressful to him. I feel like I need to figure something else out besides trying to chase him around with the net. Maybe I just really shocked him, or even hurt him? I didn't like get him between the net and the side of the cup or anything, but I'm just so worried that maybe somehow he got hurt when I didn't realize.
Hopefully it's just shock and he'll be okay in a little while. If anyone is reading this, please give me a suggestion.
Thanks.