betta used to be active. doesnt move now.

Question
Hi - I've had a betta for the last week and he used to be extremely active and constantly swimming I've rarely seen him still - until last night when I got him a new bowl because the other was too small. It is a 1 gal bowl and I treated the water and put in a plant. Now he doesn't move at all - just hangs out at the top barely swimming. I checked on him again this morning - same thing. Still hanging out at the top - not moving. He is alive, but barely moves, doesn't eat. I have a heater next to the water now in case the new water was too cold for him. Please help!!

Answer
Well that bowl you have him in now is much too small you need to put the guy in something bigger like a 5 gallon aquarium. The reason you should house your betta in a bigger tank is because leftover food and waste can build up quickly in that size tank which will cause the ammonia to rise and that will kill your fish. The reason he isn't doing much is probaly because he is stressed and he is still getting used to his new surroundings. If you get the 5 gallon tank be sure to get a filter, light, and a 50 watt in tank heater, and you should get a thermometer to check the water's temp. with bettas like their temp. in the high 70's and low 80's so if you can make that work you betta will be happy and active.