something is wrong with sparta

[betta lover1507]

well many people know my 3 month old stunted fry "Sparta", he isn't eating no more! (also i am going to stick with "he" because it is easier than "he/she") and he isn't really swimming, he is always speeding up to get air, and falling back down am really worried. and i still didn't get the money for a heater, i cleaned his tank today and he has been doing that for a while. he ignores the food also. what do i do??

[Boikazi4o9]

Maybe it's the nitrogen cycle? Or it can be the heater not sure.

[GreyCheyenne]

Awwwhhh:( Poor Sparta! I don't know how to help you, but I really hope he gets better!

[bettalover2033]

He definitely needs a heater. Im actually very surprised that he is still alive without one...


Hopefully you can get a space heater or something...ask your parents if they could get a space heater that could warm him up because he might die...they might be more sympathetic...

[BeautifulBetta]

^+1. Heaters are definitely important, not only for growth, but for the fish's health. When they're in cold water, they're more prone to sickness and such because of the lowered immune system. I had a fry like this once around the same age, couldnt swim and would race to the top for air and fall back down. He was in warm water too but just became so unhealthy for some reason, I, unfortunately, had to cull him because he wouldnt have survived anyway :(

[betta lover1507]

what is a space heater? also my parents have no money what so ever :( the only thing i could think of is giving daily warm water into the tank.
i don't get money until 2 or 3 weeks (my birthday -.-) is there anything i could do until then??

[MrVampire181]

A space heater is a small heater used to heat a room. He's stunted, sick, and doesn't have warm water. That's not good at all. Of course you should know temp swings are not good for fish so adding warm water isn't an option.

[LittleBettaFish]

Do any of your other bettas have heaters in their tanks? You could put Sparta in a smaller plastic container and float this in one of your other tanks. That will at least partially stabilise the temperature of his water.

Unfortunately, it sounds like the less than ideal care he received prior, is finally catching up with him. Fry sadly, are not very hardy and if they are not given proper care from day one, it can sometimes culminate further down the track.

[betta lover1507]

my parents dosen't want me to get heaters :( so no, i will probably try to buy 2 heaters in 2 weeks.

[Alienchick017]

If you have a heating pad I've read of people turning them on the lowest setting and putting them partly under the tank. I don't know what kind of tank you have but if its to big to lift you could probably even put the heating pad against the side of it.