What is wrong with my betta fish?

J

Jess

New member
I have had this fish for 2 years now. One day my sister cleaned the water and he went into shock from the change because she did it from hot to cold. This was like a month ago, he was fine then. Recently he started laying on the bottom of the bowl on his side. He wont even react to the food we put in there. Is he dying????
okay hes not dead because if i tap on the glas he will move his fins but hes not sleeping because hes like that all the time
 
Being a month ago...he's likely to be fine from that.

What you're describing is like the behavior I keep seeing in Petstores that sell Betta's. A bunch of dull and listless fish.

Likely he's bored out of his little fishy brain...what little there is. Betta's are more intelligent than most fish and need stimulation.

One of my favorite tricks is to keep another Betta in another bowl near by so they can "flare" at each other and be macho.

Another trick is to use a mirror for a few minutes a day to let him see a "threat" and to again "flare" and try to scare off the rival. This makes him feel good for it'll think that it defended its territory and that is a good show for any potential females. I like to do this one when I'm trying to breed a pair. The show makes the female feel that this male is a good choice and will be more receptive to mating instead of fleeing in terror.

Other tricks is to keep his tank near another fish tank so he has ever-changing scenery to look at. Also put different objects in his sight and change them every once in a while. Put a ping-pong ball in his water for him to interact with. Change his tank arrangement...anything to give him something different.

He needs to be able to interact with his environment. Giving him something to make him work that little fishy brain of his should pull him out of his slump.
 
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