amy.layne
Aquarium Advice Newbie
- Joined
- Jul 29, 2017
- Messages
- 2
Hello! I come here with concern for my male betta fish, whom I've had since December. He's in an established 5.5 gallon planted tank with hang-on-back filtration and a heater. He's been doing exceptionally well in this tank, and I do large water changes every 2 weeks or so with gravel vacuuming. I just purchased a pair of nerite snails for this tank and I put half of an algae wafer in there for their first couple of nights. Tonight I realized that my betta is swimming a bit oddly, and I noticed earlier he seemed to be pecking at the algae pellet but I wasn't too concerned because I figured he'd spit it back out once he got in in his mouth, but he still seems very interested in the algae. When I came to fed him he only ate one pellet and whenever he'd turn he would swim somewhat sideways toward his tail in a loop, and he's usually a graceful swimmer. I thought it may be swim bladder disease, however he seems to have no problem swimming to the top or bottom of the tank, only when he tried to eat or turn. Should I let him fast for two days and see if that helps him or am I over reacting?? I checked the water this morning for my new snails and the nitrites are 0 and the PH was perfect.
