Tank Problems

[CodeRed]

I'm having some problems with my betta's tank, and I want some opinions. He has a one gallon corner shaped tank with an air pump in the middle. On the first two days, everything was running fine. The air pump didn't make much of a current, and Deimos seemed to be doing fine in it. Yesterday morning I woke up to find the top of the tank was absolutely covered in bubbles, so I turned off the air pump. The bubbles died down, and he seemed fine the rest of the day, so I thought everything would work out okay. I had to go somewhere today, and didn't get back until late, so it took me awhile to notice my fish was having problems. He was hanging out at the top of the tank, and would just sit there. Deimos is a relatively active fish, so this is kind of strange for him to be doing. It appears as if now he isn't getting enough oxygen in his tank, and so I'm utterly confused as to what I should do. Should I turn the air pump back on, and hope that the bubbles don't hurt him, or should I keep the air pump off and hope he adjusts to the smaller amount of air? Or should I get a different tank, seeing as this one just doesn't seem to be working well for a small betta like him? I'm a newbie at Betta care, so feel free to rip me to pieces. I just want Deimos to be okay.

[Ilovemyshiny]

i too am a newbie but maybe the water is warm enough. i know if betas get to cold they just kinda sit and become in active. do you have a heater?

[dramaqueen]

If he's hanging at the top and gasping for air, it might be ammonia buildup in the water, in which case he would need his water changed.

[Luchi]

I used to have the same tank and it's not the pump most likely. The bubbles come and go. My tank did the same exact thing for a while. It's probably something else besides the actual tank.

[Vikki81207]

I agree with drama, I think it's ammonia, do a good tank cleaning and use conditioner.

[CodeRed]

Thank you everyone (: I'll try what you say, and hopefully things will get better.

[dramaqueen]

I hope so, too. Good luck!

[MrVampire181]

He sounds sick to me :(

[LaniBaby]

don't forget to update! i'm curious to know how it turned out and if the water change helps. How often do you change the water? I have that same tank and my first betta i kept in it a few years ago, i never even used the bubbler and he was totally fine without it. i have 2 3 gallons now and on most days i don't run the filter because the current's a little strong for them and they seem determined but annoyed and even without, they still have plenty of air and don't come up that much.

good luck!

[LiyahsGrandma]

Mine did the same thing and a changed to a whisper filter with pump. My fish are fine. (smallest one)