help.

[sweetgurlsparkle]

My betta can't go below the surface, he just hang out at the surface and gets some air ever once in a while. When forced to swim deeper (scared by a hand) he has to swim really fast and keeps floating back up. He has never done this before so it's not a swimming bladder problem. I tried giving him a pea in case it was conspiation, but he refuses to eat it. What can I do? Anything that doesn't require him eating it because he is pretty stubborn about that kind of stuff. Please help. Thanks.

 

[keeper-of-fish]

can you give more info about your set up?
how many gallons is the tank
what filter
do you have any airation(important)
how new is your set up... is it cycled
do you have a test kit?

 

[sweetgurlsparkle]

10gallon tank. I just put him in yesterday. He seemed fine, was swimming down by the gravel and everything. I just set up the tank a couple days ago, it has a heater but no filter yet (hasn't arrived yet). I don't have a test kit. I put aquasafe in the water when I set it up. It doesn't have airation, but as a betta fish, that shouldn't be a problem? I don't get why he can't swim.

edit: he is the only one in the tank.

 

[keeper-of-fish]

your need a filter so get one asap until then do lots of water changes by the sound of it your tank has not cycled since it is that new and there will be many probelms sorry to say and also buy a test kit as soon as you can to see what your water parimeter are like.

 

[sweetgurlsparkle]

Well the filter will go in when it arrives. Why can't my betta swim? He is used to living in a little unfiltered tank (with water changes) with the same type of water. If the tank is new and there's only one fish in there shouldn't the amount of fish wastes be insignificant at this point?

 

[keeper-of-fish]

buy a test kit that tests ammonia-nitrite and nitrate and if you parimeter are not
0 ammonia 0 nitrite and 0-50 nitrate that your problem

 

[WILDER]

If he is having trouble maintaining his balance in the water it sounds like swim bladder, is his tummy slightly swelled.

 

[sweetgurlsparkle]

His stomach maybe, I'm not sure. He can stay balanced in the water, but if he tries to swim deeper than surface level, his tail starts to tilt upwards, and he floats back up. I did a water change if that helps.

 

[sweetgurlsparkle]

He has never had this problem before.

 

[WILDER]

Has he been handled abit roughtly not on purpose but could of damage his swim bladder,It sounds like swim bladder, where are you located.

 

[sweetgurlsparkle]

When I put him in the tank yesterday he was able the swim, so I'm hoping I didn't damage his swim bladder. Anything I can do??

 

[sweetgurlsparkle]

I live on cape cod.

 

[WILDER]

It depends on how far it has progressed, do you have any maracyn, or antibiotic flakes you can feed him.

 

[sweetgurlsparkle]

No I don't. I probably won't be able to buy any until this weekend. Would he better in a small tank? I guess salt wouldn't do anything( only thing I've got)?

This sucks.

 

[sweetgurlsparkle]

would I be getting maracyn 1 or 2?