Betta Chills Vertically

Question
Chris - thanks so much for the idea!  Do you have any idea where I might be able to purchase a water heater that is for a 1/2 gallon tank (that won't ocok him)? I've heard of micro heaters...

...I put him under a light but he lost all his color and grew listless...I think it might be too bright.

Thanks again!


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The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
Hello.  I'm worried about my poor Betta Freddie.  I have only had him a little over a month, but when I got him (I was ignorant at the time), he was suffering from fin rot. I care for his water regularly (I have an ammonia meter), feed him every other day, I don't shock him with quick water or temperature changes, so he's been having a good time.

Recently, he has been hanging out more towards the top of the tank whereas before he much preferred the bottom.  When he does hang out at the top, he sits vertically with his nose pointed up.  He still swims around sometimes and still eats, but his behavior is new.

My apartment has been getting colder lately, but the water temperature is still within his optimal environment.

Is this a bladder condition?
-----Answer-----
Hi Justin;

If the water is cooler than 76f he needs it higher. Some experts say that 70 is okay but in my experience it is just too cool. You might try putting him in a warmer spot or putting a lamp on him. If he gets better, you know it was from the cold. If he still acts funny we can then look into other possibilities.

If the temperature is already above 76, try feeding a cooked and peeled green pea chunk to him several times a day. Hopefully that will clear out his digestion and give his swim bladder room to work properly.

I hope Freddie feels better soon....

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins

Answer
Hi Justin;

There really aren't any heaters safe for a tank that small. You might try a "night bulb" meant for nocturnal reptiles instead. They put out heat but not much light. Pet stores with reptile supplies have them. Or, get him a five gallon tank and put a 25 watt thermostatically controlled aquarium heater in it. That's the safest way to keep the temperature high enough and stable.

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins