[BallaBalla]

Hello, I recently bought a betta male and 3 Santa Maria Endlers for a 10 gal tank. I did a proper water transfer and fish get along fine my betta doesn’t care about the Endlers at all. However, I noticed today my betta has a clamped fin and is darting back fourth at the bottom of the tank and then going up to the surface sometimes to get air. The temp is at 80* steadily, I have aqueon quiet flow filter for 10-20gal with a 50watt hearter, there are plenty of decorations as the bottom as well as plants where he can hide. The tank is 1 day old currently. I tested the waters the lvls seemed fine, any suggestions?

 

[Feanor]

Hello and welcome to the forum, BallaBalla!

Did you cycle the tank before you put the fish in?

 

[BallaBalla]

Hello and welcome to the forum, BallaBalla!

Did you cycle the tank before you put the fish in?

yes i cycled for the tank for 2hrs before putting the fish in

 

[BallaBalla]

I didn’t have time to wait to cycle the tank fully as they were ina. Cup because my old tank leaked. It was an emergency water change however, I have been monitoring the nitrite and ammonia constantly and been doing 25-30% water change if I see a ride in either of them. I’m trying to cut back a bit on feeding to go once a day (currently at twice a day). Until the tank is fully cycled then i would increase the diet plan to 2 feedings per day. My only predicament with this is that I have baby endlers that need to be feed 2-4 at least

 

[Feanor]

Ok!

So I assume you are using your old filter(media) in the new tank aswell.

As your cause of concern was the Betta and you are monitoring nitrite & ammonia level, I hope that his behaviour is due to stress of relocations and adjusting to his new environment now.

However, I‘d watch his condition carefully and think that others with more experience will address your topic soon. This also includes your feeding of the fry in the same tank (I seperate my Galaxy Rasbora fry because the amount of food + adult food would mess up the parents‘ tank).

Just for additional info there is a simple tutorial for fish - in cycling here in the sticky notes of the forum:

CYCLING: the two-sentence tutorial

 

[BallaBalla]

Ok thanks so much for your help! I will definitely monitor his conditions. I am hoping he’s just adjusting to his new environments and is probably just stressed from his reflection (which bettas are known to get used to there reflections in most cases correct?) I will continue to monitor his condition for next couple of weeks and keep you guys updated! If he doesn’t get used to his reflection and it’s stressing him out what type of background would you recommend one that goes on the outside or inside of the glass? Thanks again for all the help!!

 

[BallaBalla]

Ok thanks so much for your help! I will definitely monitor his conditions. I am hoping he’s just adjusting to his new environments and is probably just stressed from his reflection (which bettas are known to get used to there reflections in most cases correct?) I will continue to monitor his condition for next couple of weeks and keep you guys updated! If he doesn’t get used to his reflection and it’s stressing him out what type of background would you recommend one that goes on the outside or inside of the glass? Thanks again for all the help!!

And yes technically it’s a old filter as I bought for the old tank a day before it leaked which it was yesterday it leaked, so the filter has only been in the old tank for 24hrs before I put it in a new tank

 

[Feanor]

So basically it‘s a new filter.
The more I would recommend to use Seachem Prime and to test your water daily by using a drip test unless you get a 0 Nitrite and 0 Ammonia result and follow the recommended water change schedule in the tutorial.

In the U.S. and on this forum this one is recommended (more acurate and long term cheaper than strip tests):
API Freshwater Master Test Kit

Should you feel unsure of your Bettas health always (and also now) feel free to post your concerns with the filled in quick reference sheet in this section of the forum (best to keep some pics and the water parameters on hand):

Betta Fish Diseases and Emergencies

 

[BallaBalla]

So basically it‘s a new filter.
The more I would recommend to use Seachem Prime and to test your water daily by using a drip test unless you get a 0 Nitrite and 0 Ammonia result and follow the recommended water change schedule in the tutorial.

In the U.S. and on this forum this one is recommended (more acurate and long term cheaper than strip tests):
API Freshwater Master Test Kit

Should you feel unsure of your Bettas health always (and also now) feel free to post your concerns with the filled in quick reference sheet in this section of the forum (best to keep some pics and the water parameters on hand):

Betta Fish Diseases and Emergencies

Awesome thanks again! I do have the freshwater master test kit by API. My almonds did read .2 so I just did a 30% water change and siphon vac

 

[BallaBalla]

Awesome thanks again! I do have the freshwater master test kit by API. My almonds did read .2 so I just did a 30% water change and siphon vac

lol not almonds, ammonia

 

[RussellTheShihTzu]

If the Endler's are acting fine you need to fill out the linked form so we're sure it's not Betta-specific. Thank you.

 

[KekeTheBettaDoc]

Hi, yes please fill out the form.

PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING: Fill out this form so we can...

Many thanks to BF/TFK Member Mike for developing this questionnaire. It is the same form with a few additions. Please copy and paste into a new message and complete this form when seeking help for your Betta. This information and a clear photo posted directly into the thread will help us give...

www.bettafish.com

 

[BallaBalla]

How many gallons is your tank?
10 gallons

Does it have a filter?
Yes it does

Does it have a heater?
Yes it does

What temperature is your tank?
A constant 80F

Does your tank have an air stone or other
type of aeration?
No aeration system (can’t afford it)

Does your Betta have tank mates? What kind?
Yes my betta does have tank mates, 3 fry Santa Maria Endlers


Food:
What food brand do you use?
Fluval bug bites betta formula & Aqueon betta food colour enchanting pellets

Do you feed flakes or pellets?
Both, mostly flakes since my betta is fry I feed half a pinch of flakes in the morning and then at night before going to bed 1-2 pellets.

Freeze-dried?
No

How often do you feed your Betta? How much?
2 times a day, a small pinch of bug bites flakes in the morning and then one pellet at night

Maintenance:
Before your Betta became ill how often did you perform a water change?
Since it’s a new tank that wasn’t cycled properly I have been doing 25% water change daily (if I notice a difference in ammonia or in nitrite)

What percentage of water did you
change?
25%

What is the source of your water?
Tap

Do you vacuum the substrate or just dip out water?
Yes I gravel vacuumed and siphoned

What additives do you use other than conditioner? What brand of conditioner?
Water conditioner by prime or I will use a different conditioner by Nutrafin Aqua plus. However, I’ve been trying to to stick to the nutrafin condition because I also use nutrafin betta enviro plus.


Water Parameters:
What are your water parameters? Please give exact numbers. If tested by pet store please get exact numbers. "Fine" or "Safe" won't help us help you. Important: Test your water before the regular water change; not after one.
Aqueon Glass Aquarium Size 10
Dimension:
20 1/4 “ L x 10 1/2 “ W x 12 9/16 “ H

Ammonia: .25
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0
pH: 7.4-7.6
Hardness (GH): unknown
Alkalinity (KH): unknown

Symptoms and Treatment:
When did you first notice the symptoms?
First day of betta in tank

How has your Betta’s appearance changed?
His fins/ colour hasn’t really changed

How has your Betta’s behavior changed?
Is your Betta still eating?
Swims a lot more but is going back and fourth along the back side of the tank

Have you started treating your Betta? If so, how?
I tried to put up a aquarium background but didn’t work sadly besides that I tried adjusting the light pointing

Does your Betta have any history of being ill?
No

How long have you owned your Betta?
One week

Was he or she ill or suffering some sort of damage when purchased?
No not at all

 

[BallaBalla]

How many gallons is your tank?
10 gallons

Does it have a filter?
Yes it does

Does it have a heater?
Yes it does

What temperature is your tank?
A constant 80F

Does your tank have an air stone or other
type of aeration?
No aeration system (can’t afford it)

Does your Betta have tank mates? What kind?
Yes my betta does have tank mates, 3 fry Santa Maria Endlers


Food:
What food brand do you use?
Fluval bug bites betta formula & Aqueon betta food colour enchanting pellets

Do you feed flakes or pellets?
Both, mostly flakes since my betta is fry I feed half a pinch of flakes in the morning and then at night before going to bed 1-2 pellets.

Freeze-dried?
No

How often do you feed your Betta? How much?
2 times a day, a small pinch of bug bites flakes in the morning and then one pellet at night

Maintenance:
Before your Betta became ill how often did you perform a water change?
Since it’s a new tank that wasn’t cycled properly I have been doing 25% water change daily (if I notice a difference in ammonia or in nitrite)

What percentage of water did you
change?
25%

What is the source of your water?
Tap

Do you vacuum the substrate or just dip out water?
Yes I gravel vacuumed and siphoned

What additives do you use other than conditioner? What brand of conditioner?
Water conditioner by prime or I will use a different conditioner by Nutrafin Aqua plus. However, I’ve been trying to to stick to the nutrafin condition because I also use nutrafin betta enviro plus.


Water Parameters:
What are your water parameters? Please give exact numbers. If tested by pet store please get exact numbers. "Fine" or "Safe" won't help us help you. Important: Test your water before the regular water change; not after one.
Aqueon Glass Aquarium Size 10
Dimension:
20 1/4 “ L x 10 1/2 “ W x 12 9/16 “ H

Ammonia: .25
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0
pH: 7.4-7.6
Hardness (GH): unknown
Alkalinity (KH): unknown

Symptoms and Treatment:
When did you first notice the symptoms?
First day of betta in tank

How has your Betta’s appearance changed?
His fins/ colour hasn’t really changed

How has your Betta’s behavior changed?
Is your Betta still eating?
Swims a lot more but is going back and fourth along the back side of the tank

Have you started treating your Betta? If so, how?
I tried to put up a aquarium background but didn’t work sadly besides that I tried adjusting the light pointing

Does your Betta have any history of being ill?
No

How long have you owned your Betta?
One week

Was he or she ill or suffering some sort of damage when purchased?
No not at all

Just did another 25% water change to bring amonia back to 0

 

[BallaBalla]

Also he doesn’t seemed to be stressed, it’s been one day since he’s been in the tank, the way he’s swimming along the tank glass makes me think it’s a reflection that’s scaring him. Will he get used to the reflection?

 

[TheRealAndreaPond]

I’d strongly recommend you increase the amount of food for your betta. Can you try 4-5 a few times a day?

 

[BallaBalla]

I’d strongly recommend you increase the amount of food for your betta. Can you try 4-5 a few times a day?

Yeah for sure! Should I do it by pinches with my fingers or get some sort of small spoon or cup to serve the food? Currently my betta has been swimming along the frontside of the tank (glass surfing a little). I will increase the feeding to see if this fixes the problem! Thanks again

 

[BallaBalla]

Yeah for sure! Should I do it by pinches with my fingers or get some sort of small spoon or cup to serve the food? Currently my betta has been swimming along the frontside of the tank (glass surfing a little). I will increase the feeding to see if this fixes the problem! Thanks again

 

[TheRealAndreaPond]

For pellets, go for 4-5 three or four times a day. If it’s the flakes, it’s kind of hard to determine, except that you should give him enough for him to eat within about a minute.

 

[BallaBalla]

For pellets, go for 4-5 three or four times a day. If it’s the flakes, it’s kind of hard to determine, except that you should give him enough for him to eat within about a minute.

Okay sounds good thank you!I recently learned I didn’t fully cycle the new tank I got (give it enough time to cycle) before putting my betta in the water. I do a daily water change of 25% and add water conditioner by prime to try and keep the ammonia at a zero. Sometimes I do another water change if I see the ammonia spike again. My question is my betta has been glass surfing the front side of tank, is this because of ammonia/nitrite lvls are off or could it be another reason? Also, is it okay to multiple water changes in one day or am I not giving the tank enough time to filtrate benefical bacteria’s?