File :-(, x, )
Anonymous
Morning, /an/. I got a betta fish a few weeks ago and for a while he was doing fine, but now he won't move (no, he's not dead.) He just sits on the bottom of the bowl and won't eat.

Any thoughts on what's wrong?
>> Anonymous
tank size, plants
pet store was shit
etc
>> Anonymous
And what would be an appropriate tank size?
>> Anonymous
2gal is what i use and mine seems to be happy w/ it.
>> Anonymous
bowls are not really the best environment for bettas. Go for a larger habitat with structure (real or fake silk aquarium plants). Also, testing your water chemistry would be a good idea.

I, personally, put my bettas in Marineland Eclipse Hex 5 aquariums with a few tetras and a snail.
>> LRC !HG6fkGXhas
I have a 1gal tank with a little filter for mine. It seems to keep it happy.
>> Anonymous
>>295860
certainly better than a cup or small bowl, but IMO, bigger is always better.
>> Anonymous
Decorate with plants to hide in (if you have no room for decorations, you need a bigger fucking tank-- 2 gallon is a good size) Put a mirror outside the tank for him to 'battle' with, but don't leave it there too long.

Also a good tip to get him to be happy and make a bubble nest-- set a plastic juice bottle cap on the surface of the water so it 'traps' some air and floats.
>> Anonymous
Sometimes they get lethargic if the water isn't warm enough.
>> Anonymous
Alot of things could be going wrong here. He could be too cold, betas are tropical fish that like their water to be in the mid to high 70's. If he has no plants or decorations he can hide in that can be what is bothering him too.

Could be his food as well, they don't eat flake food. Well they will but are generally very desperate for food at that point. In my experience they don't like the pellet food much either. Personally I alter between blood worms, baby brine shrimp (both freeze dried), and once a week part of a mushy pea. (a pea that doesn't have the shell on it.) My boy has been doing just fine on that diet so far.

As others have been saying get a larger tank. Its a little easier to keep the water in check, you can use a filter and fishy will have more room the spread his sexy fins. I know at petsmart they have 2 1/2 gallon tanks for about 10 dollars. (actually if you live in the treasure valley in Idaho I have a tank, filter and rocks and a decoration or two I can just give you.)

even with the full blown mini tank you still have to do water changes every week or so, so if you decided to do that keep that in mind please.

worse case scenario is that he's come down with some kind of Illness. Betatalk has alot of good info for diagnosing your beta and how to treat him if he is ill.

http://www.bettatalk.com/betta_diseases.htm

I hope your boy starts feeling better anon.
>> Anonymous
OP here, thanks for the advice.
>> Anonymous
Bettas are tropical fish and prefer warmer water, around 78-80 degrees F. If they're not kept warm, they get lethargic. You can get 10 gallon tanks for about 10-12 bucks at Walmart, and a small heater will work fine. It's nice to see them actually swimming around and doing shit when they have enough room.

Bettas actually do pretty well in shitty water conditions because they don't get the majority of their oxygen through their gills... they gulp air from the surface. Still, weekly water changes are a must if you want to actually healthy instead of just surviving. Also, interesting food like bloodworms on occasion will make them happy.