Betta fish standing on it's head and gasping for air?

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survival_paul

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water at room temperature :o

bettas should have a heater and the water should be heated to the same temperature before adding it.

Have you cycled the tank so he wont get poisoned by ammonia and nitrites? You should buy a book and learn how to look after your betta
 
I got my first betta on Wednesday. I thought it might have ammonia poisoning, so I changed the water yesterday and twice today because it looked to be gasping for air. Now it's standing on its head (head down at the bottom, mouth gasping, tail at the top, fins spread out) and I have no idea what it's doing. I am a first time fish owner, and none of the websites I've found are much of a help. Please help. Thanks.

EDIT- Now he's swimming around, but his smaller fins are moving rapidly and he can't seem to stay at the top of the tank for extended periods of time. Also, he pulled the standing on his head stunt again, except the tail section started going sideways. He's gonna die, isn't he?

DOUBLE EDIT- He is not shimmying along the bottom, and along with the fact he hasn't eaten much, I don't think it's swim bladder.

TRIPLE EDIT- He just went to the top, took a breath, and seemed to literally slide downwards head first. He is still gasping for air.

FYI-

-> Using tap water w/ water conditioner. Put water through Brita filter before I changed it the last time.
-> He has only eaten once that I've seen.
-> Water has been set out overnight and is at room temp.
->He is near a window, and getting indirect sunlight.

(x-posted to other fish forum)
It is very warm in my room and he is near a window.
HE HAS ONLY EATEN ONCE.
What if I fast him, but don't do the deshelled pea? Will he still be sick?
 
- Do you have a 2.5 + gallon tank with a gentle filter that has been CYCLED?

- Did you use soap? (Never ever use soap even if you rinse it very well)

- Does he have a heater? (They are tropical fish and need 75-85 F temperatures)

- Is he in a bowl? (A bowl does not provide enough room for it, causes stress, ammonia poisoning...etc.)

--> Do not put him near a window. The change of temperature from night to day or sunny to non sunny day will greatly stress him out. Instead keep him in a warm room, away from windows, drafts...etc.

--> Did you feed him only once or did you only SEE him eat once? Sometimes they eat when nobody's looking. Also, he could have been constipated when you first got him, which isn't that long ago.


I think he may have swim bladder (usually caused by overfeeding and constipation), which is characterized by:

1. Either floats uncontrollably to the top of the tank, or sinks to the bottom.

2. Seems to struggle greatly while swimming, and often will swim at an unusual angle.

3. May or may not have a "kinked" spine, often in the shape of an "S" when viewed from above.

4. May lie around, barely moving except when a mad dash is made to the surface for air.

5. May or may not have a swollen belly, often caused by constipation

There is no treatment for this but you can help him improve by raising the temperature to about 80-ish F if you haven't already. Fast him for 24 hours and then feed him a small piece of deshelled pea.

You also might want to add some aquarium salt, 1/2 teaspoon per gallon.
 
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