The most affectionate animal in your home is the betta fish. Isn’t it?
If so, you may feel a little anxious when you notice that it is laying down without moving. We know this sudden situation doesn’t seem normal to you. But that doesn’t always mean weird or wrong.
A betta fish often rests or sleeps at the bottom of the tank. Usually, they don’t move at that time. Most of the time, you will see them lying at the top or bottom of the leaf without any movement.
However, we explain a few common deadly causes why your betta fish don’t move.
Sleep is the most common reason your betta is not moving. This very typical fish sleeps in the dark. You can turn on the light or move the water with something for a quick check. If they start moving, everything will be fine.
Betta fish lay down on their side whenever they sleep. This is a common behavior of most fish. If your betta wakes up and moves normally, you can be sure it feels healthy. Sometimes you can notice it sleeping too much during the day time, try to put a light inside of the tank or in front of it to make sure your fish is responsive.
Water quality directly impacts your betta fish health and mobility. If you see it lying down without sleep, use a test kit to check the water quality.
From different aspects, you have to check the water quality to ensure your betta is safe, including temperature, pH, ammonia, and nitrate level.
If your betta doesn’t get the right food on time, it will slowly lose its energy and stop moving. This often happens for not getting a high protein diet. To overcome this problem, find a store where you can get high protein betta fish food or betta fish for sale, check out this website for some options and have them delivered.
If you discover your betta is not moving for proper feeding, you can give it some food like bellow:
Keep in mind, don’t overfeed him.
This can happen in most cases when your betta fish stops moving. It can be caused by different diseases at any time. Betta fish are often affected by fin tail, popeye, parasitic, fungal, and worm infection. And most of the time can have swim bladder issues.
Once you find out the reason for the illness, find a vet and start the necessary treatment. However, most illnesses can be solved by proper water maintenance.
Betta fish live likely on an average 4 years. If they don’t move whatever you do, most probably he died. Or see the symptom of moving one side means he comes to the near end.
So, before announcing it is dead, make sure there is no life left. Tap on the water if they respond too slowly; he may need a vet doctor.
After all, just because a betta fish isn’t moving doesn’t mean he’s dead, he’s probably laying down to rest.
However, if you notice any other symptoms, observe and inspect them carefully.