Lethargic Betta

[extremenewb]

Hi, I've had my betta for abt a month and recently he's been acting kinda tired. He seems to just sit there on plants and rest there continually. He's eating normally, and will flare and move around when I put a mirror next to his tank, but when not stimulated he just sits there. He does have a little buldge behind his gills. I thought it might be constipation or something? He hasn't pine-coned so I don't think its dropsy. Also may be affected when I fed him freeze dried BW 4 the first time. I actually gave him QUITE a bit of worms, and I think that may have contributed. Other food he has is blanched pea once a week, and 2-3 hikari bio gold twice a day.

Btw, my water parameters:
pH - 7.7
GH - 80 mg/L (if you havent realised , I'm using Hagen mini master kit)
KH - 30 mg/L
NH4 - 0
N02 - 0
Temp - 79-81F

Anymore info just say so. Thanks for help u can offer.

 

[QTOFFER]

Offer only peeled blanched peas for a few days. I think he's all plugged up from the bloodworms.

When I feed freeze dried foods, I soak them in water for a few minutes. Otherwise, I fear the fish will take a huge gulp, which will swell up in their stomachs.

 

[An t-iasg]

Hi extremenewb,
Yes, do as QTOFFER says and give the blanched peas for a few days -- try to watch if you see him "go" too. Then you'll know that he's getting better.

I wouldn't feed too many freeze-dried bloodworms. They are a bit too "rich" to be given every day. I feed my bettas freeze-dried bloodworms or daphnia two or three times a week, in the evening as a treat. Their morning food is pellets -- the Hikari gold pellets, and I soak these also in a little cup of tank water before feeding. Any dry food can expand in the stomach, so pre-soaking will try to prevent that. If you feed 6 pellets a day, then skip the freeze-dried food that day. If you're going to feed some freeze-dried that day, then give maybe 4 pellets.

Watch to see if he returns to his normal level of activity. That can vary from betta to betta. I've had some bettas that are quite energetic. Another betta I had swam slowly, and liked to sit on the plants for 5 or so minutes at a time.

 

[extremenewb]

cheers for advice. SOunds good. Actually I feed freeze-driewd bw fairly rarely like once or twice a week (is that rare? lol). I'll keep him on the strict vege diet n hoppefuly he'll get better. And yea I've heard of soaking dried food in water before immersing it in the tank. Since you both do it.. I might start doin that. thx

 

[Menagerie]

A betta's tummy is about the size of their eye. Presoaking their food will help

 

[extremenewb]

he's quite alive when I put a mirror next to his tank but still lethargic otherwise... I'll keep him for a little while longer on peas only :?

Just a little off topic qn if some1 can help. Im thinking of adding some white clouds to my tank. Wondering if some1 could suggest to me what temperature I should keep the tank at? (heard something that white clouds dont like temps above 80F). Thanks. And would the current parameters be fine for them too?

 

[Menagerie]

How big is the tank?