Spiderman Isn't Looking Too Good

[Nikkig85]

Hi Everyone.

I have had my betta, spiderman, for about 5 months now and has always been quite a happy looking fish but today hes not looking top of the world. Hes been lying on the bottom of the take not moving much. this is quite out of character. i don't want him to go!!!
his breathing is looking a little labored too.

what could be up with him, please help.

all the stats are ok and have been for ages, i do water changes weekly (a 50% one has been done today)

Thanks in advance

 

[bronzecat]

Hi

Need some more info -
Tank size
Water temp
Filtered yes/no
Tank mates
What were the most recent ammonia, nitrIte and nitrAte test results?

It will assist people in giving the proper advice

 

[Nikkig85]

Rekord 800 (120 Liter), with filter, ammonia is nil nitrate nill and nitrite nill. PH is 7.6, i use a api master test kit (test results have been the same for weeks. Temp: 74 degrees f
tank mates:
Kissing fish, cardinal tetra, 2 molly, pleco, 4 platy, 2 cory, 5 penguin tetra. they have been in the tank for around 5 months. i have also have live plants.

water changes happen weekly.

i feed them flake food and frozen food.

 

[liz2]

If you are sure the water in your tank is ok can you take some of it out and put your betta in a small space by himself? If he is ill the others will start to pick on him. Any signs of tears or spots or anything?

 

[Nikkig85]

he looks fine. no lump, bumps, tears, no bloating!

i just re tested my water and it is fine.

i haven't got another tank to put him in. if i put him in a clean tub with the tank water will that be ok or have i got the wrong end of the stick here.

 

[bronzecat]

Hmmm.... It could well be that he is being harassed and thats why he's lying on the bottom?

The temperature for bettas is better above 76 degrees and there are a number of fish in there, which i wouldn't recommend to keep a betta with. They are the Cardinals, Penquins and the Platys.

I'm assuming the filter is causing quite a flow for a tank that size? Again, this could be causing him a problem, as with long fins they find it difficult in strong flows.

The problem you may have is that if he has an infection of sorts, its going to be difficult for him to recover in the environment he is in. Are you in a position to house him in another tank?

 

[Nikkig85]

he doesn't get harrassed by the other fish the cardinals and the penguins have been with hin from the start and have nothing to do with him.
He and the above mentioned fish have been together for 5 months and he has gone like this today. i watch them alot of the time and there is never any bullying in the tank.

the flow is the tank is low. i turned it down when i got the tank.

He hasn't got huge fins, i didn't buy him for looks only his funny personallity, when i got him he was swimming round the tank he was in like an olymic swimmer. he slowed down a little when i put him in my tank but after a few days he was like he was in the shop... a nutter.

 

[liz2]

fin another clean container and put him in it. can you float the container in the big tank to keep warm, or put somewhere warm say on top of tank?

 

[bronzecat]

Hi

If the tank temp is at 74, dont make him any cooler. IMO you need to get him in a warmer environment and if his breathing is laboured and he is lying on the bottom, he needs to be closer to the surface. It could be signs of an internal bacterial infection? But as a surface breeder he needs to put in something shallow. A breeding net in the tank would be better than nothing.

Its always better to isolate a sick fish to reduce the risk to the others, whilst giving the sick fish chance to recover.

Your fishies may well be behaving themselves, but bullying can take place at night.

 

[Nikkig85]

i've turned the heater up. hes moved from the bottom of the tank and is sitting in his fave plant now. his breathing seems to be a little easier.

i'll keep u posted with his progress

 

[bronzecat]

ok

 

[squiremaster]

well maybe he doesn't have a problem. Maybe he is just a lazy fish. I don't know for sure. those days that he was active he was probably exploring his environment.

 

[LionMom]

Rekord 800 (120 Liter), with filter, ammonia is nil nitrate nill and nitrite nill. PH is 7.6, i use a api master test kit (test results have been the same for weeks. Temp: 74 degrees f
tank mates:
Kissing fish, cardinal tetra, 2 molly, pleco, 4 platy, 2 cory, 5 penguin tetra. they have been in the tank for around 5 months. i have also have live plants.

water changes happen weekly.

i feed them flake food and frozen food.

When you say "kissing fish" do you mean kissing gourami's? If so, I believe that is a big no-no.

 

[bronzecat]

Rekord 800 (120 Liter), with filter, ammonia is nil nitrate nill and nitrite nill. PH is 7.6, i use a api master test kit (test results have been the same for weeks. Temp: 74 degrees f
tank mates:
Kissing fish, cardinal tetra, 2 molly, pleco, 4 platy, 2 cory, 5 penguin tetra. they have been in the tank for around 5 months. i have also have live plants.

water changes happen weekly.

i feed them flake food and frozen food.

When you say "kissing fish" do you mean kissing gourami's? If so, I believe that is a big no-no.

I didn't even notice the Kissing fish lol....I think my attention was drawn to the tetras. The general tank requirements for Kissing gouramis is at least 35 gallons (some sites say 55), temp no lower than 75 degrees, and more worryingly can become quite aggressive which wont go down well with the betta. Actually, its a normal recomendation not to mix gouramis with bettas. Would have said earlier if I'd noticed it before

 

[Nikkig85]

Hes perked up loads today.
this fish is strange. thanks for the help!