Is my new Betta clamping?

[Sbeezy]

Sorry if this isn’t an emergency but I’m not sure where to post!
I’ve never used this site before.

I got this new betta from an aquatics shop on Saturday (now Tuesday).
When he first got into the tank he was quite active and his fins looked a bit more showy.
Since then he’s been resting and hiding on his favourite leaf a lot, and I’m worried he might be clamping his fins?

This was him on Saturday. (Top fin was moving a little when I took the photo)

This is pretty much how he looks when he swims about now. I could be over worrying but I want to make sure he is ok ?
The tank is about 28L, at 25°c
There’s no other creatures in there. He has taken some betta food on 2 separate occasions

 

[PheonixKingZ]

Hello and welcome to the forum!

If you just got the Betta, he may still be adjusting to his new environment.

Do you know your water parameters? Did you cycle your tank?

 

[Sbeezy]

Hello and welcome to the forum!

If you just got the Betta, he may still be adjusting to his new environment.

Do you know your water parameters? Did you cycle your tank?

Hi! Thank you ?
Could you explain what you mean by parameters? We don’t have a water testing kit yet if that’s what you mean. I’m hoping to get one as soon as we can in case that’s the problem!!
We left the filter running in the full tank for 1 week before we got him. We were adding filter boost every day, and dechlorinater(don’t know the official term) I think for 3 days before he got in x

 

[UnknownFishies]

You wanna get a testing kit to make sure there’s no ammonia or nitrite in the tank that is harmful to fish. Always get liquid testing kits and not strips. Liquids are far more accurate

 

[EllRog]

Your tank isn't cycled. This should help - Thread 'Cycling Your New Fresh Water Tank: Read This First!' https://www.fishforums.net/threads/cycling-your-new-fresh-water-tank-read-this-first.421488/

 

[PheonixKingZ]

Hi! Thank you ?
Could you explain what you mean by parameters? We don’t have a water testing kit yet if that’s what you mean. I’m hoping to get one as soon as we can in case that’s the problem!!
We left the filter running in the full tank for 1 week before we got him. We were adding filter boost every day, and dechlorinater(don’t know the official term) I think for 3 days before he got in x

Water parameters are measurements of the chemicals in the water. (pH, ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite)

Here is a helpful guide on how to cycle your tank: https://www.fishforums.net/threads/cycling-your-new-fresh-water-tank-read-this-first.421488/

I suggest getting the API master test kit. It has over 800 individual tests and ca test for the following: pH, High pH, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate

The “filter boost” may have been bottled bacteria, which should have helped with the cycling process.

I suggest getting that test kit ASAP and performing a large water change. (40%+)

 

[Utar]

Welcome to the forum. Everyone has already given you great advice. Are you using a water conditioner? (This removes chlorine making the water safe for you betta.) How often are you doing water changes? Due to ammonia and or nitrite poisoning, (which is common in new aquariums), you will need to change the water on a daily basis of about 60% to 70%.. In the time after the beneficial bacteria start converting these gases to nitrate the least harmful, then you can do weakly water changes. Not sure what type of test kit you can get in England, but here in the States most of us use the API Master Freshwater Test Kit. It contains tests for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and ph.

In addition but optional you can get a KH and GH test kit. This measures the hardness and calcium content of your water.
Once you get a test kit you will need to test your water source first to get a baseline for the water in your aquarium. Your water source can contain ammonia and or nitrate, etc.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

Your tank isn't cycled. This should help - Thread 'Cycling Your New Fresh Water Tank: Read This First!' https://www.fishforums.net/threads/cycling-your-new-fresh-water-tank-read-this-first.421488/

Page didn’t upload till just now, didn’t mean to copy.

 

[EllRog]

Page didn’t upload till just now, didn’t mean to copy.

I can't belive you'd copy me, I'm furious! How dare you!

 

[hansgruber7]

Yes, get the API Master test kit. Until then, you should do a 40 percent water change every day, making sure you use dechlorinator and try to match the temperature. Your tank isn't cycled and your betta is probably suffering from ammonia or nitrite poisoning.

 

[Sbeezy]

Hi guys,
Thanks so much for all your advice!
I went and got a kit- couldn’t get a liquid one.

here’s the results! Doesn’t look like anything too extreme thankfully (I hope!)
we are going to do a water change later today as well with some dechlorinator in
Any tips on reducing that carbonate hardness?

 

[UnknownFishies]

Hi guys,
Thanks so much for all your advice!
I went and got a kit- couldn’t get a liquid one.
View attachment 131793
here’s the results! Doesn’t look like anything too extreme thankfully (I hope!)
we are going to do a water change later today as well with some dechlorinator in
Any tips on reducing that carbonate hardness?

dang, your phone about to die

 

[Sbeezy]

dang, your phone about to die

Hahahahaha tell me about it ?

 

[hansgruber7]

What I would be most concerned about at this stage is ammonia and nitrite. It looks like your nitrite is above zero. Anything above zero is harmful for your fish. You need an ammonia reading too. Just do a daily large water change until your tank is fully cycled and you can test with a better kit such as the API. Good luck!

 

[Essjay]

You need to be able to test for ammonia as that's the first thing that goes up.


The link that Ellrog and Pheonix gave you is for cycling before you get fish, but the first part explains what cycling is. Don't do the second part and add ammonia to the tank, the fish is already doing that!