Why is my betta fish not moving?

According to Betta Fish Facts, bettas are tropical freshwater species who sleep when it's dark. A betta who is not moving may simply be taking a rest or sleeping. The preferred way in which they sleep can vary from fish to fish, but some bettas lay down on their sides without moving.
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Why is my betta fish not active?

Look for lethargy.

He won't be his normal, active self. His movements will slow down some. Another sign of sickness is your fish hiding out at the bottom of the tank more often than normal. Lethargy can be caused by low or too high temperatures as well, so make sure the temperature range of the water is good.
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What are signs that a betta fish is dying?

Other signs that offer a clue to knowing when a betta fish is about to die include discoloration along the fish's body, such as white or brown spots. Strange swimming movements or a shortening / eating away of the fins can also point to severe illnesses.
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Why does my betta not swim around?

If your favorite betta fish isn't swimming the way he should, there is a chance he is suffering from swim bladder disease. Swim bladder disease is a common problem in bettas but is easily treated. The swim bladder is a gas-filled sac inside your fish.
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Why is my fish not moving but still alive?

The impaired buoyancy in fish is caused by a malfunction of their swim bladder. When affected by Swim Bladder Disorder fish will often lose the ability to properly swim. They will float uncontrollably to the top of the aquarium, turned upside down, while still being alive.
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Why's My Betta Fish Not Moving At Bottom of the Tank?



How do I make my betta fish active?

So, if you want to help your fish exercise and escape boredom, here are 7 ways to play with your betta fish:
  1. Place a ping pong ball in the aquarium. ...
  2. Use a mirror to watch your betta flare. ...
  3. Introduce floating decorations. ...
  4. Draw on the fish tank with dry erase markers. ...
  5. Stick Post-its or other pieces of paper on the tank.
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Why is my betta fish just laying at the bottom?

If you're not seeing other signs of stress, a Betta may be listless and laying at the bottom all the time because it lives in too small of an aquarium and/or is being kept in poor water conditions.
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Do fish play dead?

Let's revisit the example of the fish playing dead. Some species play dead to fool other fish, often targeting scavengers as a food source. The Central American cichlid is a perfect example. In other species, though, this behavior might hint at a health issue.
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Are betta fish supposed to be active?

Normal Betta Behavior

Betta fish are active, happy little fish that don't have any problem showing it. Betta fish will actively eat without issue and have no trouble swimming up to you if they think you might have a snack. These gorgeous fish can be quite full of personality, so expect nothing less when you own one.
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Why does my fish stay in one corner?

Just like sickness, they stay in the corner because they feel vulnerable. Unfortunately, there's not much you can do for this one except wait for it to pass. Lastly, they may be doing it because there aren't enough hiding places in the tank—all fish like lots of hiding places where they can feel safe and rest.
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Why is my betta staying on one side of the tank?

Heat. While most quality aquarium heaters are good at disbursing heat in such a way that the water stays at a constant temperature, you may find fish hanging out on one side of the tank rather than another because they prefer the temperature.
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Why is my fish not moving at the bottom of the tank?

When the water temperature inside your aquarium drops too low, your fish might lay motionless at the bottom of the tank to conserve energy. On the opposite spectrum, if the water temperature rises dangerously high, fish will stay on the bottom because that's where oxygen levels will be higher.
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Why is my betta swimming slowly?

If your tank is below 78°F then this could be why your betta has swim bladder disease. When the water temperature in your tank drops below the ideal temperature it's going to cause your bettas digestive system to slow down.
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What does a stressed betta look like?

Strange Swimming: When fish are stressed, they often develop odd swimming patterns. If your fish is swimming frantically without going anywhere, crashing at the bottom of his tank, rubbing himself on gravel or rocks, or locking his fins at his side, he may be experiencing significant stress.
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Do betta fish feel pain?

Fish have the correct anatomy to receive pain signals, they produce the same natural chemical painkillers that mammals do, and they consciously choose to avoid painful stimuli. They also experience emotions with which we humans can identify.
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What kills betta fish?

As we have seen, bettas can die from poor water conditions, overfeeding, cool water temperatures, and a dangerous living situation. Aside from the physical damage these issues can cause, when your fish is under constant stress, he is more likely to get sick, and more likely to die.
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How do you comfort a dying fish?

A dying fish is comforted greatly by having clean, warm water along with a safe and quiet environment without bright lights or loud noises. A dying fish should also be removed from any other aggressive fish in their tank and not overfed to avoid stomach pain or discomfort.
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Do betta fish get depressed?

It turns out that not only can our gilled friends become depressed, but some scientists consider fish to be a promising animal model for developing anti-depressants.
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How do you help a stressed betta fish?

How to Help a Stressed Betta Fish
  1. Check your water parameters. Fish in water with unhealthy levels of ammonia, nitrate, or nitrite can quickly become unhealthy. ...
  2. Use water conditioner drops. Do not use untreated tap water for your tank. ...
  3. Check your water temperature. ...
  4. Create hiding places. ...
  5. Use tannins.
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Do bettas like light?

Do Betta Fish like Light? Yes, they won't like anything too intense, but a standard aquarium light is perfect. Bettas also love aquarium plants, which need an aquarium light to grow and survive.
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Why is my fish not swimming up?

Buoyancy problems are caused by a wide variety of disorders. Some of these include systemic disease (bacterial, viral, fungal, parasitic, cancer), starvation, general weakness, eroded fins and broken fins, swim bladder diseases, and excessive air in the gastrointestinal tract or abdominal cavity.
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Why is my betta fish not eating and floating sideways?

Symptoms of Swim Bladder Disorder in Aquarium Fish

If the swim bladder is deflated, it will sink in the tank. If the fish has gulped in too much air while feeding, this may cause it to float to the top of the tank.
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