changes after using the heater

[florapaw]

Grateful for this community, I really am. Got my betta about three months ago and everything's been awesome. Tank's finally cycled, he's been super healthy and happy, and I even got him a ghost shrimp buddy.

It's been getting pretty chilly lately, so I figured I'd get a heater. Tank temp was always around 75-78, but lately it's been dropping to 72-74 at night. Today I fired up the heater and it's now at 81. Took a few hours to get there, but now my betta's acting really weird.

He's just floating at the top of the tank with his fins all clamped up. Not his usual happy self, swimming around like crazy. Is this a bad sign? Maybe it's too hot in there? Help me out, please.

[ladster]

Honestly, I'm not exactly a Betta expert, but I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will chime in. That being said, 72-74 degrees does seem like a better range than 81, maybe your betta just prefers the cooler water and that's why it's acting strange now.

[coltin]

It's possible the sudden change in temperature or a water quality issue could be the cause of your betta's behavior. I'd recommend testing the tank water for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and pH to rule out any issues there.

In the meantime, consider doing a 75% water change daily for the next week, and make sure to gravel clean the substrate as well. Just a heads up, be sure to dechlorinate any new water before adding it to the tank.

Keep an eye on your betta's poop and appetite, and if things take a turn for the worse, please post more pictures and water test results so we can better assist you.

[daisymay]

I'm pretty sure betta fish prefer temperatures between 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit. I know it's easy to say now, but maybe it would've been better to increase the temperature gradually, you know, one degree a day. The sudden jump might be stressing him out - maybe he thinks you're trying to cook him.

[florapaw]

I think betta fish generally prefer temperatures between 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit.

In hindsight, it might have been better to increase the temperature by just one degree each day - that way, your betta wouldn't have been shocked by the sudden change. Maybe he's just worried you're trying to cook him.

Lol, I can just imagine him thinking, "Is she making fish soup?" Hopefully, he'll get over the shock soon. Unfortunately, I couldn't do the temperature change that slowly even if I wanted to, as my heater doesn't have adjustable settings - it just heats the tank to maintain a temperature between 78-81 degrees.

[daisymay]

There was a recent thread about a lady who got fed up with her husband's tank cleaning habits - or lack thereof - and cooked his arowana... talk about a drastic measure.

[bronze_shield]

Grateful for this community, I really am. Got my betta about three months ago and everything's been awesome. Tank's finally cycled, he's been super healthy and happy, and I even got him a ghost shrimp buddy.

It's been getting pretty chilly lately, so I figured I'd get a heater. Tank temp was always around 75-78, but lately it's been dropping to 72-74 at night. Today I fired up the heater and it's now at 81. Took a few hours to get there, but now my betta's acting really weird.

He's just floating at the top of the tank with his fins all clamped up. Not his usual happy self, swimming around like crazy. Is this a bad sign? Maybe it's too hot in there? Help me out, please.

If you can afford it, getting a proper adjustable heater would be a wise investment, if you ask me. The one you've got can be kept in storage for emergencies, just in case.

[florapaw]

Grateful for this community, I really am. Got my betta about three months ago and everything's been awesome. Tank's finally cycled, he's been super healthy and happy, and I even got him a ghost shrimp buddy.

It's been getting pretty chilly lately, so I figured I'd get a heater. Tank temp was always around 75-78, but lately it's been dropping to 72-74 at night. Today I fired up the heater and it's now at 81. Took a few hours to get there, but now my betta's acting really weird.

He's just floating at the top of the tank with his fins all clamped up. Not his usual happy self, swimming around like crazy. Is this a bad sign? Maybe it's too hot in there? Help me out, please.

If you can afford it, getting a proper adjustable heater would be a wise investment, if you ask me. The one you've got can be kept in storage for emergencies, just in case.

Thanks for the advice, I'm actually browsing online for some new heater options now.

[happyone]

Welcome to our little community, florapaw.

What's the tank size, by the way?

For betta fish, I'd say 78-80F is a good range.

[florapaw]

I've made a new observation. Found a new heater that's lower wattage and it's keeping the tank at 78, which is great. However, I've noticed something weird - when the heater is plugged in, my betta's personality changes. He goes from being his happy, swimming self to just sitting at the top of the tank, almost like he's napping. This only happens when the heater is on, which is making me a bit concerned.

I'm worried the heater might be releasing something into the water - maybe fumes, sound waves, or even electricity - that's affecting my betta. I know it sounds far-fetched, but I'm not sure what else could be causing this. Also, my ghost shrimp passed away today, and I think the heat from the old heater might have been too much for him, especially since he had just molted.