My New (unnamed) Betta fish Is floating?

[jonasgirl1622]

I just got a beautiful new betta from petsmart and I put him in my 2 gal. tank but every time he swims down and stops swimming he just floats up like a pool toy! He seems very happy he even had a little bubble nest in his cup that I go him in.

Housing
What size is your tank? 2 Gallon
What temperature is your tank? my thermometer is at 82
Does your tank have a filter? yes
Does your tank have an air stone or other type of aeration? no
Is your tank heated? yes
What tank mates does your betta fish live with? Mystery Snail
Food
What type of food do you feed your betta fish? flakes
How often do you feed your betta fish? once a day
Maintenance
How often do you perform a water change?every week
What percentage of the water do you change when you perform a water change? Around 50% water change a week and every other week a 100%
What type of additives do you add to the water when you perform a water change? water conditioner
Water Parameters:
Have you tested your water? If so, what are the following parameters? i havent tested the water

Symptoms and Treatment
How has your betta fish's appearance changed? He looks good bright colors and swimming around, only at the top 'cause he can't swim down.
How has your betta fish's behavior changed? I haven't had him long enough to know
When did you start noticing the symptoms? when I put him in the tank 30 minutes ago
Have you started treating your fish? If so, how? no
Does your fish have any history of being ill? not that I know of.
How old is your fish (approximately)? I don't know he's pretty small though

[LebronTheBetta]

What do you mean Floating? Like Upside-Down or something? Can you post a Picture of what he's doing? It would help me Clarify. Oh, and hate to break it to you but, if a Betta made a Bubblenest it doesn't mean it's Happy. It's an Instinct of them to do so. I wish it also meant that they're Happy, but it doesn't. :/

[ihatefirewalls]

That is sometimes caused by swim bladder disorder. Does he look bloated at all? Overfeeding/constipation is most often the cause of SBD. You can try fasting him for a day and see if it goes away. My petsmart betta was also like that when I first got him, but mostly went away after a week or so.

[LebronTheBetta]

I think she would've posted if she looked Bloated or not. I suggest for you to do more Water Changes. 1 50% and 1 100% a Week should be Good. Since you feed Flakes, how many do you put in when you feed? The Mystery Snail will get bigger. So be careful with the Ammonia.

[jonasgirl1622]

He is not floating upside down its when he swims down he just floats to the top and stays at the surface of the water he can swim around fine at the top of his tank. He does look bloated so I just won't feed him for a day and see if that helps.

I will get a photo of him in a minute.

[LebronTheBetta]

Hmmm... If it IS SBD here are the Symptoms: Bloated, Hard for Betta to swim, Can't Poo, Struggles to Balance <--- Most Common Symptoms.
Don't worry, SBD isn't Fatal if your Betta has it. Just post if he has it. Most of the Members here, including me know the Cure. Whatever you do. Do NOT feed him Peas. Hope your Betta doesn't have it!!!

[jonasgirl1622]

here's a link. this is him swimming around.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZrHW...ature=youtu.be

P.S. the tank isn't dirty its just bubbles

[Perseusmom]

He looks fine...I think its the filter that is to strong for him is all thats wrong. You can do a search here on how to baffle it or wait and see he may get used to it or learn not to swim to close to it. He is very pretty

[jonasgirl1622]

Well, the filter isn't on right now I haven't turned it on yet so I don't shock him to much.

[LebronTheBetta]

Originally Posted by Perseusmom

He looks fine...I think its the filter that is to strong for him is all thats wrong. You can do a search here on how to baffle it or wait and see he may get used to it or learn not to swim to close to it. He is very pretty

+1
The Filter does seem strong. Betta Fish aren't used to Strong Currents. The Wild Types live in Still Waters. Most Betta Fish prefer Still Waters. Your Betta might get stressed so Baffle like Perseus said! :) There's nothing wrong with him.