[ectoslime]

i just got my first betta yesterday from petsmart. i purchased national geographic's 1.2 gallon half moon aqua oasis starter kit along with aqueon betta food, a "hiding spot", and a plastic plant(dont worry, i am planning on fixing this as soon as possible!). my only issues with the tank is that the filter and light are hooked up together and the filter is also too strong(but i am planning on baffling that in a few minutes). i am also fully willing to do water changes as frequently as needed.
i have been extremely worried about the little guy, though. he has been isolating to one corner of his tank and staying on the bottom. he moves very infrequently. i'm not sure if this is normal behavior for a betta who has just been put in a new tank or if it is being caused by something worse. is it possibly the filter?
also, if this is the wrong board please tell me so that i can be sure to post in the right one next time!

 

[Alyssalovesbettas]

Did you put conditioner or make sure you if you don't have well water did you dechlorinate it?

 

[Alyssalovesbettas]

Also please answer these questions if you can! Housing
What size is your tank?
What temperature is your tank?
Does your tank have a filter?
Does your tank have an air stone or other type of aeration?
Is your tank heated?
What tank mates does your betta fish live with?

Food
What type of food do you feed your betta fish?
How often do you feed your betta fish?

Maintenance
How often do you perform a water change?
What percentage of the water do you change when you perform a water change?
What type of additives do you add to the water when you perform a water change?

Water Parameters:
Have you tested your water? If so, what are the following parameters?

Ammonia:
Nitrite:
Nitrate:
pH:
Hardness:
Alkalinity:

Symptoms and Treatment
How has your betta fish's appearance changed?
How has your betta fish's behavior changed?
When did you start noticing the symptoms?
Have you started treating your fish? If so, how?
Does your fish have any history of being ill?
How old is your fish (approximately)?

 

[VivianKJean]

yes, please answer ALL of the above questions.

Do you know anything about cycling your tank? Is your filter a bubbler or is it an actual filter (with a cartridge in it)? If it is an actual filter you need to educate yourself about the nitrogen cycle. below are some links.

http://www.bettafish.com/showthread.php?t=111960
http://www.bettafish.com/showthread.php?t=107771
http://www.bettafish.com/showthread.php?t=47838

Here are some videos on it was well
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bK_D_1CyUCs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6W92KuT-T8A

 

[ectoslime]

sorry i didnt reply quicker!

Also please answer these questions if you can! Housing
What size is your tank?: 1.2 gallons
What temperature is your tank?: i'm not sure
Does your tank have a filter? yes
Does your tank have an air stone or other type of aeration? no
Is your tank heated? no- i am currently looking into this at this moment
What tank mates does your betta fish live with? by himself

Food
What type of food do you feed your betta fish? aqueon betta fish food
How often do you feed your betta fish? 3 times daily. just enough to be eaten within minutes

Maintenance
How often do you perform a water change? he was purchased yesterday. planning to do a 50% every other day and 100% weekly
What percentage of the water do you change when you perform a water change? see above
What type of additives do you add to the water when you perform a water change? topfin water conditioner

Water Parameters:
Have you tested your water? If so, what are the following parameters? not yet

Ammonia:
Nitrite:
Nitrate:
pH:
Hardness:
Alkalinity:

Symptoms and Treatment
How has your betta fish's appearance changed? it's remained the same
How has your betta fish's behavior changed? since i moved him into his new tank it has been the same. mostly staying in the corner but swimming up for air and food.
When did you start noticing the symptoms? this morning
Have you started treating your fish? If so, how? no
Does your fish have any history of being ill? got him yesterday
How old is your fish (approximately)? unknown

 

[Bikeridinguckgirl14]

He might have slight ammonia poisoning, turn off the filter (to reduce stress) and do daily 100% water changes (for a 1g tank you should be doing daily changes)

 

[ectoslime]

i just realized that his water is colder than it should be. until i can get a proper heater would it be suitable to create a setup where i have a lightbulb under the tank so it will heat the water evenly? a friend suggested that i put a 80 degree water bottle in the tank and change it frequently, but im not sure if this will work.

 

[VivianKJean]

I would do the water bottle method over the lightbulb since the bottom would be warmer then the top.

Honestly, I would try to heat it with a DYI system UNLESS you have a thermometer because otherwise you will no have idea what the temperature of the tank is.