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Hey! Lately I have seen my Betta Fish lay on its side at the bottom of its fish tank. I’ve had this fish for almost 3 years and I’ve given it about 4-5 crumbs of fish food a day. My fish is lying on its side at the bottom of the tank and it sits there for a few hours and than moves to a different spot and lies on its side again, I do not know what I’m doing wrong, at first I assumed it was dead. My fish also has foggy eyes and has trouble swimming up to the surface. Please help.

Hey! Lately I have seen my Betta Fish lay on its side at the bottom of its fish tank. I’ve had this fish for almost 3 years and I’ve given it about 4-5 crumbs of fish food a day. My fish is lying on its side at the bottom of the tank and it sits there for a few hours and than moves to a different spot and lies on its side again, I do not know what I’m doing wrong, at first I assumed it was dead. My fish also has foggy eyes and has trouble swimming up to the surface. Please help.

Updated On April 6th, 2019

Pet's info: Fish | Betta | Male | unneutered | 1lb

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Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT

Licensed Veterinary Technician

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He is "old" for a Betta. Check the water chemistry and temperature. You can use a home test kit or submit a water sample for testing. The local Petco may do this for free or for a small fee. Aim for an absence (0 ppm) of ammonia and nitrites with nitrates at 20ppm or less. Perform partial water changes to stabilize chemistry and/or to improve water quality. Use only conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent stress or shock. Bettas do best between 78 F and 80 F. The cloudy eyes may be due to infection. Maintaining pristine water quality will help, but you may need a broad spectrum antibiotic as well. Look in the aquarium section of the local Petco for medication. Follow label directions carefully and remove the carbon filter insert during treatment if indicated. Even with treatment, there may be permanent damage to the eyes if the condition has been chronic. The "laying down" is sometimes seen even in healthy fish. They may choose to lay on gravel or the broad leaf of a plant. It may also indicate infection or injury though. If hebisbhavibg difficulty reaching the surface, decrease the water level to make it easier. Bettas need to surface occasionally to get some air.

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