Why is my betta fish staying still?

What does it mean when your betta fish sinks to the bottom?

If your Betta fish is laying at the bottom of the tank and is breathing heavily, you need to take action as quickly as possible. There are a couple of potential causes for this: It could be ammonia poisoning, nitrate poisoning, or hot temperatures.

Why is my betta fish staying still? – Related Questions

Is my betta fish resting or dying?

Observe your betta after the water is warm enough for him. If he continues to float and is not moving, he is likely dead. If he appears to be regaining his color and eventually moves, then he may have gone into shock and is recovering now that his water is warmer.

What are the symptoms of a sick betta fish?

Sick Betta Fish Behavior
  • Lethargic: Inactive, lazy, lacks aggression, hiding.
  • Refusal to eat for extended periods of time (e.g. days)
  • Faded colors, mainly in male bettas.
  • Labored breathing.
  • Damaged fins.
  • Clamped fins.

What does a stressed betta fish look like?

If your fish is swimming frantically without going anywhere, crashing at the bottom of his tank, rubbing himself on gravel or rocks, or locking his fins at his side, he may be experiencing significant stress.

What does a stressed out betta fish look like?

Instead of being his usual vibrant and colorful self, your betta may begin to become duller. He’ll look a lot paler and won’t catch your eye as much when he’s swimming around. As well as this you may also notice stripes along his skin that are a different color. These are commonly referred to as stress stripes.

Do Bettas like light?

Bettas like light so that they know when to wake up and prefer a darker environment to sleep in. You may have an aquarium light on your tank and if so, it is probably best for you to turn this on when you wake up in the morning and turn it off just before bedtime.

Do LED lights hurt bettas?

You may find most aquarium lights are LED; these work great. Some large or professional aquariums use UVB or others , but if you’re planning to keep your betta in a basic aquarium with standard aquarium plants, LED will do fine.

Do bettas need LED light?

LED lights are actually quite good for your betta! As well as providing a light that isn’t too strong for your betta, they don’t give off a lot of heat either. This means you don’t have to worry about the tank becoming too hot or water evaporating too fast!

Is tap water safe for betta fish?

Tap water is a reliable as it’s constant and affordable water source. On average tap water tends to have good enough pH levels and mineral levels for a betta.

How often should you change betta water?

But the short version is that small water changes of 10-20% once every 7-10 days are best for your betta’s health. This is also assuming you are running a filter. You can also do water changes of 20-30% once every 2-3 weeks, but smaller water changes are better for stable water conditions!

How long does tap water need to sit before adding betta fish?

Let the water sit for 15 minutes.

Your betta needs this time to slowly adjust to the temperature, pH level, and mineral hardness of the water in the tank. If you rush these steps and do not give your betta time to acclimate to the water, it will be harmful to the fish’s health.

Do Bettas like bright LED lights?

Bettas prefer subdued lighting, so avoid bright colors or lights that shine directly into the tank. Instead, opt for a softer color light that will provide gentle illumination without being too harsh. Many betta owners find that white or blue LED lights work well for their needs.

Do betta fish need darkness?

Betta fish typically need 8 to 12 hours of light, and 12 to 16 of darkness, so make turning off your tank light a pre-bedtime habit. If your betta fish has too much light, it can become overly stimulated and stressed.

What do Bettas like in their tank?

Your Betta will love swimming in a tank which contains caves to hide in and plants that provide plenty shady areas. Betta’s enjoy lounging on leaves and have comfortable places to hide and sleep. It’s important you check ornaments for spots that could snag or tear your Bettas delicate fins.

How often should bettas be fed?

It is recommended to feed your betta fish two to four pellets, once or twice per day. Pellets expand when placed in water and are very filling for your betta fish. Freeze-dried or fresh food can be substituted for their pellet feeding 1 to 2 days per week.