beta fish not eating

Question
Hi, I received as a gift in June, 2004,  my beta fish in a glass vase
with a plant on top.  After one week, I noticed the plant was
decaying,  so I transferred Willie to a one gallon glass bowl.  I
decorated it with natural colored rocks and a small artificial
plant.  I changed the water once a week and used natural spring
water only.  Willie would eat one pellet at a time, 2 or 3 times a
day,sometimes 5 pellets total, but lately about 2 or 3 pellets
each feeding. Willie never ate pellets that were floating-he only
ate from my hand.  The last couple of weeks he would sit at the
bottom of the bowl and only swam when we came into the room
and put the main light on.  Five days ago, I purchased a 2 gallon
tank with filter and light in the hood, filled it with spring water,
ran it for about 12 hours and put him in.  He appeared to be
happy, swimming everywhere.  When I fed him, he showed no
interest. I even tried shutting off the filter because I thought it
might be bothering him.  But it's been five days and he still
hasn't eaten.  I don't want him to die!  Today, being the fifth day
in the new tank,he is not as active as he was at first. He just
hangs in one corner.  I plan to get a heater if there is one
available for a 2 gallon tank.  Could you advise me on this?
Should I return Willie to the one gallon bowl and place a banker's
light over the bowl? Or should I change his food?  I am really
worried because he hasn't eaten in such a long time.  His colors
are vibrant and there is no indication of illness.  Thank you for
your help.    Marilyn

Answer
Hi Marilyn;

Poor little fella. The tank with the filter is fine to use but what he really needs is heat. Bettas are tropical so they need to be at 78 to 85 degrees all the time but the tank isn't big enough for a thermostatically controlled heater. The smallest heater I have been able to find is 25 watts and that is for a 4 or 5 gallon tank. If you have a desk lamp that you could point directly on the tank 24 hours a day it will help bring the temperature up. (Don't let the bulb actually touch anything). Put his tank in the warmest place you can if the lamp option is not viable for you. If he gets warmer he should be eating again soon.

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