I have blue betta (named Martin) which I have now had for 12 days. The first week I had him he was very happy, beautiful, swimming around a lot, made a bubble nest on day 6. He was in a 1 gallon tank, feeding him beta pellets (2 in morning, 1 at night, he eats them right away), pwc (50% every other day). Water temp was about 25 degrees C (76F?) due to warm summer weather. Tank had cave plus 1 silk plant.
On day 7, based on recos from this forum, I switched him to a 5 gallon tank. Still lots of swimming, seemed happy, fins seemed to be getting bigger, loved to display them, very responsive. Tank had same cave and silk plant, new gravel plus a few plastic plants that I added.
On day 9, the house temperature dropped (onset of fall weather) and so the tank temp also dropped to about 21C (70F). I added a heater to the tank, Tetra 100W submersible, preset to 78F, but it only seems to increase the water temp by about 1 degree. (Tank has no filter - was planning on doing 50% pwc 2ce/week and 100% every 2 weeks). Tank is now 22C, 73F.
On day 10, Martin was lying on bottom of tank, fairly unresponsive unless I tapped on the side, would go to the top to breathe and for food (he is still eating, 3 pellets/day, this has not changed throughout). I did a 50% water change (water at same temp), this seemed to perk him up a bit for a little while, but not as happy as before.
Days 11 and 12, Martin is staying at top of tank, just floating, hardly swimming, rarely going to his cave, seems to like to stay right under the light (maybe this is the warmest place?). Light is turned off at night. The thermometer reads only 22C (73F), even though it is right beside the heater. This about the same as house temperature. Also, I removed the plastic plants so he just has his cave and one silk plant. He swims close to me at feeding time, but his movements are minimal.
Questions:
1. The heater doesn't seem to be working, not warming tank to 78F which it is supposed to be preset to work at. Is it probably broken (just bought it) or do I need to create water movement to get it to work properly?
2. When Martin does swim, he only seems to be moving his tiny side fins. I fear he could have torn his fins on the plastic plants (which is why I removed them.) How can I tell the difference between clamped fins and torn fins?
3. Should I do another water change to see if that helps him? My husband says he has probably just had too many changes and I should let him get use to all these new changes for a few days.
4. I do own a filter (which I am not using). It is an aqua-tech 5-15 power filter. I can't find a sponge filter at a store (only have a Walmart & Zellers nearby). Should I try using the filter and baffling it?
5. Could he be depressed from taking away his bubble nest so soon after he made it?
On day 7, based on recos from this forum, I switched him to a 5 gallon tank. Still lots of swimming, seemed happy, fins seemed to be getting bigger, loved to display them, very responsive. Tank had same cave and silk plant, new gravel plus a few plastic plants that I added.
On day 9, the house temperature dropped (onset of fall weather) and so the tank temp also dropped to about 21C (70F). I added a heater to the tank, Tetra 100W submersible, preset to 78F, but it only seems to increase the water temp by about 1 degree. (Tank has no filter - was planning on doing 50% pwc 2ce/week and 100% every 2 weeks). Tank is now 22C, 73F.
On day 10, Martin was lying on bottom of tank, fairly unresponsive unless I tapped on the side, would go to the top to breathe and for food (he is still eating, 3 pellets/day, this has not changed throughout). I did a 50% water change (water at same temp), this seemed to perk him up a bit for a little while, but not as happy as before.
Days 11 and 12, Martin is staying at top of tank, just floating, hardly swimming, rarely going to his cave, seems to like to stay right under the light (maybe this is the warmest place?). Light is turned off at night. The thermometer reads only 22C (73F), even though it is right beside the heater. This about the same as house temperature. Also, I removed the plastic plants so he just has his cave and one silk plant. He swims close to me at feeding time, but his movements are minimal.
Questions:
1. The heater doesn't seem to be working, not warming tank to 78F which it is supposed to be preset to work at. Is it probably broken (just bought it) or do I need to create water movement to get it to work properly?
2. When Martin does swim, he only seems to be moving his tiny side fins. I fear he could have torn his fins on the plastic plants (which is why I removed them.) How can I tell the difference between clamped fins and torn fins?
3. Should I do another water change to see if that helps him? My husband says he has probably just had too many changes and I should let him get use to all these new changes for a few days.
4. I do own a filter (which I am not using). It is an aqua-tech 5-15 power filter. I can't find a sponge filter at a store (only have a Walmart & Zellers nearby). Should I try using the filter and baffling it?
5. Could he be depressed from taking away his bubble nest so soon after he made it?