betta fish and health treatment plans

[Lumin]

My betta has been acting sluggish lately, and I'm not sure what's wrong. Water params are good, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 10 nitrate. Tank is 5 gallons, heated to 78F, filtered with a sponge. He's eating but not as much as usual. Any ideas?

[kyro_1]

Sluggish behavior could be due to internal parasites or stress. Have you checked for any visible signs like bloating or white spots? Also, how often are you doing water changes? Even with good params, small tanks can get dirty fast.

[mrFluffy]

Mine did that once, turned out he was just bored. I added a few more plants and he perked right up. Maybe try that before jumping to meds?

[dewpool]

Yeah, sometimes they just need a change of scenery. My guy was super chill after I rearranged his tank. Also, what's your feeding routine? Overfeeding can mess with their energy levels.

[zenby9]

My betta has been acting sluggish lately, and I'm not sure what's wrong. Water params are good, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 10 nitrate. Tank is 5 gallons, heated to 78F, filtered with a sponge. He's eating but not as much as usual. Any ideas?

Given the params are stable, I'd look at diet and environment. Try fasting for a day or two, then offer live or frozen food like daphnia. Also, check for any sharp decor that could be stressing him.

[_reelking]

I've had success with adding a bit of aquarium salt for sluggish bettas. 1 tsp per gallon for a week, then gradual water changes to remove it. Just make sure your plants can handle it.

[timewarp]

How old is your fish? Older bettas tend to slow down naturally. If he's young, though, I'd second the parasite check. A vet can do a fecal exam if you're really stumped.

[earthlyn]

Sluggish behavior could be due to internal parasites or stress. Have you checked for any visible signs like bloating or white spots? Also, how often are you doing water changes? Even with good params, small tanks can get dirty fast.

Agreed. Stress can come from water changes too. Are you matching temp and pH when you refill? Sudden changes can shock them.

[bakerly]

I'd also consider the filter flow. Sponge filters are usually gentle, but if it's too strong, it could be tiring him out. Bettas prefer still water, so maybe baffle the output if needed.

[Lynxie]

If you've ruled out all environmental factors, it might be worth trying a broad-spectrum treatment like Paraguard. Just follow the dosage carefully and keep an eye on his reaction.