Lethargic Betta

Question
QUESTION: Hi Dillon,

I have had my Betta since January, and for the most part he has been lively, energetic and eaten everything that he was given.  In the past few weeks though, he has become very lethargic and sits in one bottom corner of his tank.  If I try to get his attention he will swim up for a few seconds, but soon returns to the same corner.  

I also notice that he is eating much less, with a few uneaten pellets at the bottom of his tank.

The water temperature has not gone down recently, there is no change in food, and I treat his water with stress coat

Thanks in advance for any advice you can give.

Cheers,

K

ANSWER: Ok that betta sounds unhappy if you haven't already i would get him a 5 gallon tank or bigger. With the bigger tank i would get a filter, light, heater, gravel and decorations. If you get the betta a ten-gallon you could get him tank mates so he isn't alone if you want a list of tankmates i can give you one just ask. Try to do weekly water changes of 25% with a mini siphon and stick the siphon in the gravel so all the leftover food, waste, Ect. gets taken out of the tank. Please anymore questions just ask i will be glad to help you with anything you need to know.

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---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for your reply Dillon

Is it normal for the change in happiness to be so drastic?  Currently he is in about a 3.5 gallon tank so its not far off the mark.  He has plants and gravel and a light already.  

Just looking through some of the previous questions, do you think it is possible he has swim bladder issues or constipation?

Thanks,

K

Answer
Ok well swim-bladder infection are when the fish swims sideways and stuff your fish seems to be laying on his side. Is your tank heated i would suggest getting a little 50 watt heater to heat it, and what is the temp. in your tank? well if you see waste in the tank your fish is not constipated, but if you don't he might be constipated. I would use epsom salt and that should help fix the constipation. What are you feeding the betta?

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