Betta Not Eating

[drain_bamaged]

I got him on Saturday, and at first he seemed really happy in his tank, he explored a few times etc...

24 hours later, on Sunday, i went to feed him + all the other fish . All ate well, except Rocky (my betta)...should I be worried? I dont know when he last ate, and its now monday and he's still not eaten. So far, I have tried fish flakes, peas, and bloodworms. He will take a flake, and then spit it back out. Tomorrow, I am going to buy Betta Bio Gold (the shop was out of them today). I know he is hungry, because he is 'scavanging' along the bottom of the tank and picking up flakes and spitting them back out. Please help, im beginning to worry!

The stats are fine (all less then 1ppm), and the tank is at a constant 24 degrees.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[Forestpisces]

What are his tank mates and how big is your tank?

How old is the tank?

Bettas like it a little warmer i find around the 26-27 mark.

And can you post exact water stats,

Your ammonia MUST remain at 0ppm any detectable amount is very damaging to your fish and may well kill them.

Did you cycle your tank?

I will help you all i can.

 

[kizno1]

i wouldnt be to worried because mine wouldnt feed for 5 days after i got it so just give it a couple more days to settle in
but i would up the temp to 27c and do a water change

 

[lilacamy931]

nitrates can be up to 20 but ammonia and nitrites need to be way down there at 0. if there is anything above this need to really get the tank sorted.

 

[sayur]

I'm a beginner, got my betta 4 days ago and he is also not eating he just spits out his pellets and he doesn't like to move he floats at the top of his bowl most of the time(not sure if its a he). Is this any thing to be worried about?Any advice?

 

[lilacamy931]

hey sayur.

Bettas can be really sulky when you first get them and may not eat, they also may have to get used to certain types of food. what sort of pellets are you using? Calcifer as had only bloodworm for the first couple of days to hand kept mouthing the food and spitting it out, with perseverance he loves the pellets. Same with peas, it took several attempts.

As to his moving about, it can depend on the betta. What are you water stats like and also did you cycle the tank before introducing him? Is he on his own in the tank? Normally they sell the males we would probably need a picture to confirm

 

[Forestpisces]

He is either sulking or ill due to bad water quality.

You need to do a water change, then we will move on to the not eating.

 

[sayur]

I cycled the water before i bought him and cleaned his tank yesterday. I'm not sure what brand of pellets my parents buy, the packaging doesn't have a name. I think he is not eating because of the water conditions, the place i bought him from said bettas don't need heaters but when i went to other pet shops they said they do.Do bettas need heating?

 

[Forestpisces]

Yes bettas do need heating and it is not the water that you cycle, it's the filter that you cycle and to me your filter does not sound cycled.

Do a 50% water change then test the water after an hour to see if the ammonia is 0 if it's not then repeat this until it is.

 

[lilacamy931]

Make sure to test your water and give us the stats.

Get a heater ASAP he can fall ill due to low temps.

Keep trying with the food but fish out anything he wont eat as this will foul the water.

Let us know how you get on, also just to check you have dechlorinator for the water and water changes?

 

[sayur]

Yes, I have dechlorinated the water. I'm getting a heater. I didn't know that ammonia had to be tested, I shouldn't have bought it from a flea market, they said all I needed was a bowl and dechlorinator. On Friday I'm getting a proper tank, heating and ammonia test kit.I would get it sooner, but my Mum doesn't have a car and my Dad finishes work late.Soonest is Friday.

Thanks for the help.

 

[lilacamy931]

All the best sayur! Keep us updated

Unfortunately LFSs give appauling wrong info out all the time