Why My Betta Fish Stay on the Bottom of the Fish Tank? What does that mean? Is there anything I can do to save it?
The betta is often a showy, active fish who loves to put on a show in the tank when you’re around. But in some cases, you can see him stay on the bottom of the fish tank. But what does this mean?
It turns out that this could mean several things, including that your fish is just resting. Anyway, let’s take a look at some of the main reasons why a betta fish can be stay on the bottom of the fish tank.
Why My Betta Fish Stay on the Bottom of the Tank?
Here are some possible reasons why your betta fish is on the bottom of the fish tank:
1. Low temperature
This is the most likely reason. Bettas are very popular because they are hardy fish that can tolerate poor water quality and a wide range of temperatures.
But the keyword here is tolerate. Unfortunately, they do not thrive in the small fish tanks. In fact, when they live under these conditions, bettas can suffer from various diseases, such as Fin rot and Dropsy.
In addition, the low temperature also slows down your metabolism, limiting your ability to digest common foods.
Bettas are tropical fish that live in areas with little water flow in Thailand, where the temperature rarely drops below 22° – 23° Celsius. The hotter the better; therefore, they prefer to stay at temperatures ranging from 25°C – 27°C.
Using a very small heater, even if he’s in a mini betta fish tank, you’ll see a significant improvement in his behavior. Finally, you’ll see that he’ll be a lot more excited, as well as eating more and decreasing his chances of catching and getting lethargic.
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2. Constipation
Constipation is a big problem for tropical fish and Bettas are no exception. This usually occurs in conjunction with low temperature (see above). Unlike mammals like us, fish are cold-blooded, so body temperature and metabolic rate are determined by the environment.
If you keep your fish in cold water, your heart rate, growth rate, immune response and digestion will all slow down. So if he happens to have one big meal in one day, there is a huge chance that some of that food will rot inside his intestines before leaving.
The result is swelling, sometimes confused with Swim Bladder Disorder. Your betta fish may start to float or stay on the bottom of the fish tank.
How to cure?
Raise the temperature and feed your fish with good quality feed. Also, if you can’t put it in an fish tank with a slightly higher temperature, try to feed it less often and in smaller amounts to prevent constipation.
3. Low oxygen level on the water
Your betta fish can be lying on the bottom of the tank if it isn’t getting enough oxygen, for example, it will be exhausted most of the time and having trouble moving around.
Actually, this is a very unusual problem. Unlike most fish, the Bettas and its cousins Gouramis have a special organ called Labyrinth. Watch as your betta rises to the surface to take a gulp of air. It’s breathing directly from the atmosphere to supplement the oxygen absorbed by the gills.
In calmer and the warmer waters full of plants, for example, bettas manage to thrive where other fish would likely die of suffocation.
That said, low oxygen levels also lead to other problems. After all, anaerobic (oxygen-hating) bacteria release harmful compounds like hydrogen sulfide when there’s no oxygen to prevent their growth.
So, to solve this problem, purchase a filter with biological media or an air pump to oxygenate the water in your aquarium.
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4. Nitrite and Nitrate Poisoning
Nitrite and Nitrate poisoning may be the second most common reason why your betta fish stay on the bottom of the fish tank. Most hobbysts are concerned only with ammonia, which is the most poisonous compound.
Nitrite is created when nitrifying bacteria partially digest ammonia. Although less harmful, it is still quite toxic. Fortunately, a second group of bacteria further digests nitrite to nitrate, which is tolerated by most aquatic organisms. This process is known as Cycling.
That is why as most fish tank don’t have the right conditions for nitrifying bacteria, nitrate builds up until you do a partial water change or the plants use it for food.
However, nitrate levels ranging from (30 – 50 ppm) can cause problems even for resistant bettas. Nitrate displaces oxygen from the blood’s hemoglobin (the pigment that makes blood cells red).
As a result, this turns their gills brown and prevents them from getting oxygen properly. The betta then alternates between fetching the surface air and laying it on its side at the bottom of the fish tank to conserve energy.
Fortunately, dealing with Nitrate poisoning is pretty straightforward if you identify it fast!
5. Internal or external parasites
It’s also possible that your betta fish is sick with an internal or external parasite. Above all, take a look at it and see if it shows any signs of infection. Symptoms may include reddened blood vessels in the fins, skin, or eyes.
Thick mucus, bristly eyes or scales, discolored blemishes, and strange growths can all indicate that your betta needs medication.
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6. Very agitated water
This possibility is not very common unless you keep your betta fish in an tank with a filter. Sometimes a filter with a strong outflow can exhaust your fish.
Remember that they are native to still and slow-moving waters. Therefore, they don’t do well when are forced to swim constantly. Store-bought bettas have much longer fins than their wild cousins, further limiting their movement.
Adjust the current of water so that it’s in an environment with little movement.
7. Your fish is getting old
How old is your betta? Your betta fish may be stay on the bottom of the fish tank simply because it’s entering its golden years and needs a break!
When you see adult male bettas in a store, they are usually about a year old. The average lifespan of a betta fish variate from 3 to 5 years.
Males, in particular, tend to tire as they get older due to the heavy fins. However, they should wake up quickly if they are bored or it’s time to eat!
There’s nothing to worry about if your betta has had a very long and happy life, as this is part of their life cycle!
Signs that your betta fish is in good health
However, assuming your betta is no longer lying on its side at the bottom of the aquarium, here are some behaviors to watch out for in a healthy male betta:
- Bubble Nest: If you find a bubble nest near the surface, it means your betta is waiting for a female to pass by so they can reproduce. quite healthy!
- Aggressive behavior: A betta that opens its gills when it sees its reflection in the glass is too angry to lie on the bottom of the fish tank, right? So, he’s in good health!
- Curiosity: A betta that gets curious and rummaging around the fish tank is an excellent sign that is in good health!
- Inhabits all levels of the water column: Healthy Bettas travel through all levels of the tank, instead of just sitting at the bottom;
- Excellent appetite: A strong response to food is one of the best indicators that they are very healthy.
Conclusion
If you find your betta fish on the bottom of the fish tank, consider this as a warning sign. Any of the above reasons are the likely cause, so take quick steps to fix the problem as soon as possible.
Unless, of course, your betta fish is simply old. So, in that case, enjoy it for its peculiar nature and continue to treat it well!
