Welcome to the forums!

Since he is brand new to his upgrade in living arrangements, he may just need time to adjust. Also, bettas really like laying in plants...

Does he have a heater in his tank? What is it set to? I found my bettas are perkiest living at 80 degrees F.

On a side note, my Mom's house is on well water and it goes through a water softener. The tiny amount of salt has never bothered any of the fish living there. Does anyone else have any input on this? =)

 

I don't have a heater in the tank as the kit didn't come with one. I have put a towel around the tank to help heat it right now and the light gives off some heat as well.

I shut off the pump since it was pushing him around when he did venture out of the plants.

I just checked on him and he is laying vertical in the plants (they are a spikey type silk plant).

Any thing else I can do? Should I put the pump back on?

I really want to keep him alive since I have fallen in love with him which is why I bought the tank in the first place.

Thanks again

 

When I had my last one he was very sluggish and not swimming much. When I finally got my heater in the mail, it took maybe five minutes and he started swimming normal after putting the heater in the tank. Just a thought.

 

What type of betta is he? What's his "fin type"? Bettas with larger fins (Half-moons, Double Tails, Rosetails, etc.) can have more difficulty adjusting to have the flow from a filter. I have the same exact tank as you. My Half-moon didn't swim a whole lot when I first put him in, either. I bought a large net from the petstore, cut it apart, and then secured it over the output of the filter. This cut down the flow quite a bit. However, I ended up removing it after a while for two reasons. Firstly, I didn't like the "gunk" buildup on top of the water. Secondly, Ike (my half-moon) seemed to have built up strength and figured out how to navigate the currents.

Also, I use the Aqueon 15W flat heater. It's not adjustable, but it has been working great for me. Just be sure to follow the directions when setting it up. It's important to leave it in the tank for at least 30 minutes before plugging it in. This helps it to set a base temp so it doesn't over- or underheat your tank. Be sure to pick up a tank thermometer, too!

Like other members have stated, your betta is new to his new tank. He might be a little overwhelmed at the moment. It might help to turn the lights off for a while and let him settle in. He'll eat when he's hungry.

 

He is a Dragon Scale. very dark blue. He has some white in the front fins and under his mouth (chin area).

I have a heater in now and tank is sitting at 74deg. I have the light off and the filter off. He is now sitting face down in corner and I noticed that his belly is white too.

I have checked the levels they are as follows...
NO3 = 0
NO2 = 0
Ph = 6.5
KH = 120
GH = 30

I am concerned now with the face down. Hoping the heater will perk him up a bit.

 

Do you know his fin typing? Does he have a large caudal (tail) fin? Having a large caudal could make it difficult for him to swim. It's important to establish a healthy tank by cycling it. I wouldn't recommend leaving the filter off too long.

How "face down" is he? My Ike sat at the bottom of his tank for a time when I first added him, too, and he's fine now. Here's a picture of what he was doing.

I agree, though. Filling out the form posted above would greatly help us determine what might be wrong with your new betta. Also, if you could upload some photos, that would be very helpful as well! If you don't know how, you can upload them to a site like Photobucket and then copy the image link to a post here. Or, you can click the paperclip icon and add photos directly from your computer that way.

 

hi

Many thanks to BF/TFK Member Mike for developing this questionnaire. It is the same form with a few additions.


Please fill out this form when seeking help for your Betta. This information and a clear photo posted directly into the thread will help us give you the most accurate advice possible. Without the information and photos the best we can do is guess.

Even if you're already answered many of the questions in text form you we ask you fill out the form so we will have a quick source of information.

And if you are answering a call for help please request this form be filled out. If you need more information ask in text; do not make any alterations to this form. If you have suggestions contact a Moderator.

Thank you,

The Betta Fish Team


Housing:
How many gallons is your tank?
Does it have a filter?
Does it have a heater?
What temperature is your tank?
Does your tank have an air stone or other type of aeration?
Does your Betta have tank mates? What kind?

Food:
What food brand do you use?
Do you feed flakes or pellets?
Freeze-dried?
How often do you feed your Betta? How much?

Maintenance:
Before your Betta became ill how often did you perform a water change?
What percentage of water did you change?
Do you vacuum the substrate or just dip out water?
What additives do you use?

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.

Ammonia:
Nitrite:
Nitrate:
pH:
Hardness (GH):
Alkalinity (KH):

Symptoms and Treatment:
When did you first notice the symptoms?
How has your Betta’s appearance changed?
How has your Betta’s behavior changed?
Is your Betta still eating?
Have you started treating your Betta? If so, how?
Does your Betta have any history of being ill?
How long have you owned your Betta? Was he or she a rescue?

PLEASE PROVIDE CLEAR PHOTOS

NOTE: EMBED YOUR PHOTOS INSTEAD OF LINKING. Click on "Go Advanced" and then on the paper clip in the toolbar.

 

My shy boy Hamlet loves to rest on the big leafs from my big live plant in his tank. Even though I have a betta hammock in his five gallon tank, he prefers to lay on the plant leafs. He's a dragon scale betta with a big pretty tail.

 

He needs a heater and the filter on. There are several heaters that will work for that size tank. I would also get some Seachem Prime and add about 3 drops a day until your tank cycles. There are ways to slow the filter as well. Good luck, you are in the right place!

 

I had the same problem with my filter, My boy was always hiding in his plants or wherever he could escape the current of the filter. I put a large artificial tree in front of my filter and it blocks most of the current only letting a bit flow through the branches and leaves.

Mine used to hang out face down in the corner too when I first got him, now he really loves to hide/sleep in his live plant, he's even found a hole in the driftwood that I never knew was there and he loves it, scared the crap out of me when he found it, now I usually see his tail hanging out when he's in there.

Also what type of plants do you have?