My Beta Fish is acting weird

Dalt584

I need some help. My beta fish is swimming side ways and is having trouble swimming. Then he just lays himself against the glass, and I have no idea what to do. His water was a little cold so I put a little warm in there, I can't figure out whats going on. Is he dying?

Dalt584

Lindsey88

What type of tank is he in? How often do you do water changes? What do you feed? What is the temperature of the water? Bettas require heated water.

Dalt584

He is in a small little tank, made for bettas. I change the water every week, sometimes every two weeks. I feed him HBH Betta ColorBright, and the temp is kinda cold. I will put heated water in there...

could the cold water thing causing him to act like this? Also what is the proper tempuarature?

Thanks so much.

Lindsey88

Those small little tanks made for bettas should not house anything. You should really get at least a one gallon tank...in a tank the size of yours water should be changed 2-3 times per week...

okiemavis

Please don't put heated water into a tank with cold water. A change in more than 2 degrees can be very stressful for your fish. The proper temperature for a betta is 76-80 degrees.

Also, it wasn't clear if you were changing all the water or just a portion of it. If there is no filter you should be changing 25% of the water at least twice a week. If you have a filter once a week should be just fine. Also, please make sure you are adding water conditioner to the new water before putting it in the tank.

Please consider getting a larger tank with a heater and proper filtration. You shouldn't have trouble finding one on craigslist for cheap.

Also, if he is having trouble staying upright, it is usually caused by a swimbladder problem. One reason this occurs is because your fish is swallowing air when it eats. You should try making sure your betta food sinks below the surface of the water before he eats it so that he isn't swallowing any air.

Here's a topic you should read so that we can help you further:
http://www.fishforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=882

Dalt584

Well if I make sure it sinks, will he get better? Or is this the end :(

Plus, why would they make these tanks if there not proper for them? Im sorry but that makes no sence what so ever?

Im not blaming you guys, but why make something they shouldn't be living in?

Thanks


EDIT: Also, he kinda has like this little ball near his face and where his fins are...is that the air or something?

Lindsey88

How big is the tank? As in how many gallons or if it isn't a gallon how many inches tall wide and deep is it? They sell betta tanks that are smaller than betta cups just to make money. Pet companies don't care about the well being of fish.

Lindsey88

One more thing. It's much healthier for bettas if you soak their pellets in a cup of water for about 5 minutes before feeding it to them.

Dalt584

I have this tank:

http://www.petsmart.com/product/inde...amily&keepsr=1


Details about it are at the bottom...You may want to make a mental note that i am not using the included fish food

Dalt584

Also, about this bump, I think its the air he takes in. And i did forget to mention that when I watch for a while he does spit out bubbles, eventually will this bump of air go away?


Im really scared hes gonna die or something :(