Ok, so I got Fish two days ago (his name IS Fish) and he's in a .5 gal bowl. I'm moving him to a tank hopefully tomorrow, but I got a little kit with gravel and some plants and he's on my desk. I know he's not thrilled with me because he seems to get really agitated when I look at him closely. He swims right up against the side of the bowl and freaks out. He's finally eating, which I'm happy about (I say finally like 24 hours was a long time) but I'm just hoping he makes it til I can get the tank. Everything is a handmedown so I'm hoping the filter works too. I did a small water change, maybe 10-15 % this morning before I left to work because he was hanging near the surface. I try to agitate the water's surface a bit to put some oxygen back in the water. BUT my main concerns:
1. Hanging near the top means he needs oxygen, right? He's right up along the waterline, just sorta hanging there, then he darts back down.
2. Why is he agitated when he sees me? He doesn't flare, he just shakes really fast and swims up and down while he does it. Maybe it could be considered darting.
1. Betta's are a labyrinth fish. . this means they can breath from the surface .. being that he's in a bowl, there may not be enough oxygen in the water, so he's breathing from the surface. Getting him in the tank asap I think is an awesome choice:)
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2. Sound's to me as though he's trying to impress or intimidate you. Don't be alarmed .. my old betta use to splash my room mate if my room mate go too close to his tank. They do have a lot of personality
He is cold and can't function in a .5 gallon. That is plain CRUEL! He is TROPICAL and REQUIRES a heater. He is sick and not feeling good. Betta's are very active with a heater and proper gallons. His stomach is most likely hurting as his food isn't digesting properly.
Betta's breath from the surface cause they are Labyrinth fish. That is BASIC knowledge.
