Betta laying down

[Sorrell]

Hello, I have a betta that is very lathargic. Yesterday afternoon I noticed that he was swimming vertical, head up. I gave him some salt and stress coat and tried some peas, but he wasn't able to get to them. Last night I cupped him so he could reach his peas. Today he is back in his tank and will swim normal, but is spending the majority of his time on the bottom. He's not on his side or heaving or anything, just sitting there. Any advice as to where to go from here? Thank you.

 

[wuvmybetta]

Depressed,bored? Maybe a change of enviroment is in order, like putting him next to somebody new? Try it and see how he reacts.

 

[tekknocolor]

Is he just sitting or is he belly gliding on the ground?

-- Leigh Ann

 

[wolfie33]

usually when a betta is lying on the bottom especially if it's a male then it proberbly is quite ill.
females often act quiet and superficial if there hiding from either the male or are the pray,however i've had a lot of males over my 14 years keeping them and have noticed that my males that have been either hanging around the filter or under a rock or anywhere they can be alone as a signal that it's there time.
I'd say the first thing to take onboard is that the male maybe a couple of years old and that would mean he'd be in his last few months anyway or that he may well have been ill when you bought him.
I personaly would take him back to the lfs you got him from and insisted they gave you another in exchange because he's always been this way,if you dont feel comfortable doing this in the future i'd restrict my buying from that particular lfs.

 

[Sorrell]

I imported him from Thailand and he's 5 months old. He's just sitting on the ground, but he is eating. I will move him tonight and see if that perks him up.

 

[Sorrell]

Ok, now he's eating, and he swims normally as long as he is swimming. As soon as he stops actually swimming, his body drops and he goes vertical. Then the rest of the time he sits on the bottom. Just an update and thanks for your suggestions.

 

[GP]

Depressed,bored? Maybe a change of enviroment is in order, like putting him next to somebody new? Try it and see how he reacts.

Works everytime.

 

[tekknocolor]

It sounds like swim bladder disorder. My betta does the same thing.

 

[jaimoe]

Yeah, sounds like a swim bladder problem to me too. Had it happen to a betta my GF rescued from a restaurant. Frequent water changes, a pea and some patience cured him up in a few days.