Betta fish problem please help!

I'm helping to take care of my sisters betta fish which I thought would be a breeze given the fish I've taken care of in the past. After a few weeks of it being with me the betta has slowly been less active and seemed more and more sickly. The past week and a half the betta just lays on the ground on its side heavily breathing. It doesn't look good at all. I tested the water params and they are perfect which didn't make much sense to me. I changed the water, and had it treated with conditioner and put the betta back in. He hasn't eaten much. After about ten minutes of being in, he flipped out and did like a horizontal frantic swim on his side flipping out around the tank. I also noticed a few weeks ago that the fish had a sort of curved back but in a side to side way, not arched. I looked it up on the Internet and saw that some fish exhibit TB. I don't think he has or had this because it wasn't always curved, just sometimes. Does anyone have any advice or know what I should do? Any advice is helpful, thanks a lot.


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ktrom13 said:

1.) what were the water parameters?
2.) you didn't mention a heater. Is there one?
3.) what size tank?
4.)how did you change the water? Cold or hot water?

These questions can help us narrow it down.


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1.) 0 ppm ammonia
Low to none nitrite and nitrate
2.)there isn't a heater, the water was a little cold
3.) I wanna say 2.5 gallons
4.) warm water
I forgot to mention that beforehand it was doing fine, and we started feeding it zoomed treats (called dial-a-treat I think and maybe too many?) and that may have caused it some trouble right? Thanks for your answer by the way.


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ktrom13 said:

You want to shoot for no nitrites and very little, say less than 20ppm, nitrates. Nitrites are harmful to fish.

Bettas are tropical fish they need heaters. Stores will tell you other wise just to make some money off you. They thrive in 75-80 degree waters in the wild.

How many pellets did you feed the Betta? Labyrinth fish ( Bettas, gouramis, etc) have smaller stomach so they don't need as much food as other fish.


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I honestly have no idea. There are a variety of treats, and he's eaten them all. When I say all I mean all the different types, not all the individual treats. What do you think is the cause of him acting this way? What can I do to improve his condition? Thanks.


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ktrom13 said:

I believe the cause is the nitrites. and lack of heater. Buying a small heater will fix the heater issue.

Changing 50% of the water everyday until you get no nitrites. Make sure to use dechlotinator each water change and the correct amount.

Also do not remove the fish during the water changes. You can shock him/her.

You didn't mention a filter. Is there one ?

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Okay thank you and there are no nitrites. There also is no filter. Should there be one? I'm not sure how I would add one either because the small cube is very odd and I don't think I would be able to attach a filter on it. After looking at the tank it may even be a gallon or smaller.


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Thanks for all the answers everyone he seems to be doing fine now and is back with my sister!


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