New fish flopping around tank now lifeless

[Mizzle345]

I got a new betta from petco yesterday and we did everything that they said to do. Today I walked in to feed the fish and it was swimming on its side. It's sort of lifeless now. It twitches every now and then. Help, please?!

[lvandert]

start here
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)?

[Mizzle345]

Originally Posted by lvandert

start here
Housing
What size is your tank? 2qt
What temperature is your tank? Not sure
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? Wardly's betta food
How often do you feed your betta fish? Once a day

Maintenance
How often do you perform a water change? Once a week
What percentage of the water do you change when you perform a water change?
About 3/4 of itWhat type of additives do you add to the water when you perform a water change?None

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? It looks the same
How has your betta fish's behavior changed? It's on it's side
When did you start noticing the symptoms? About half hour
Have you started treating your fish? If so, how? Nope
Does your fish have any history of being ill? I don't know
How old is your fish (approximately)?

not sure we got it from petco yesterday

[lvandert]

ok first off, a 1/2 gallon (2qt) tank is not sufficient enough. You need at least a 1 gallon, preferably a 2 or bigger.
Second, with that tiny tank you need to be changing the water every day 100%, you probably have an excess of ammonia already built up in the tank.
Third you NEED to add something to the water, the chlorine alone in the water will kill the little guy. Get De-chlorinator or water conditioner and add that to the water (make sure you dose correctly, not everyone has measurements for tanks that small).

If you can fix most or all of these things he'll probably perk up again.

[Mizzle345]

We did put drops in the cage when we first got him. The drops you get from petco that purify the water. We used the right amount and waited the right amount of time.

[lelei]

Hello, and Welcome, you probably got that advice from the pet store, as you said everything they said to do, Well you do need to start treating your fishy..start with healthier food, Wardly pellets aren't the best I would reccomend the Omega One, or Hakari micro pellets, and start with dechlorinated water, in a Kritter keeper, possibly a 2 gal with a lil Aquarium Salt, for treatment, he may have some fin rot, or just cold..also keep in mind a betta needs a heater, and even in the heat, they do..but you must have a thermometer to watch for temp flucuations..as this is very important..


Also if you got your fishy from Petco, or Petsmart he may already have something, or you didnt accliminate him properly..which is also important..in any case ..do what Lvandert suggested..clean water, bigger tank, and a heater, and a thermometer..keep us updated and good luck!! Also if you can post some pix.

[lelei]

Also keep in mind Water changes must be done more frequently in smaller tanks/bowls..need to upgrade..as soon as you can..or do water changes 3x a week..50% and 100% 1x a week..

[Mizzle345]

Ok thanks for your help guys!