I got a new female Betta on 9/2. (from Petco – says she is a female koi. she is REALLY small and didn’t show any color when I bought her) She is fairly inactive and has had no interest in food. I tested my water parameters and it was slightly off with a lower pH and slightly higher nitrates. I understand that nitrates can be deadly to fish. I immediately made actions to correct this and did a 20% water change & added quick start and a small amount of pH up to not shock her.
I am fairly new to keeping Bettas. The tank has been running for a few weeks after losing my last. I did a complete water change after and let it run for 3 weeks before adding a new one.
I ordered a new thermometer that is better quality but water should be around 78 degrees.
She isn’t breathing heavy. What is wrong? What do I need to do? Yesterday she laid at the bottom of the tank almost all day. Today she is laying on the leaves. I would be less concerned regarding the inactivity if she wasn’t also not eating.
https://i.redd.it/lkl1onrb0vmd1.jpeg
Posted by CulturalPeach6567
3 Comments
5 gallon
yes heater & filter
temp around 78
pH 6.8, ammonia 0, nitrite .25, nitrate 5.0 (from fresh water master test kit)
no tank mates
typically do 15% water change – haven’t had her long enough yet to do regular weekly
feed pellets ~4 2x a day
all live plants, small drift wood, fake log, hide away skull, betta hammock.
https://preview.redd.it/bzh37ff02vmd1.png?width=3024&format=png&auto=webp&s=7d248f310b8a05b78d72f0a780f29dd6a252f234
That’s tough. Maybe give her some time alone and with lower light levels and hope she just needs to get used to the tank.