What Causes a Betta Fish to Lay on Its Side

Betta fish owners will be the first to tell you that this species of fish sure doesn’t act like one. Betta are characters with personalities, each one unique and, at times, weird. But when your beloved betta is suddenly laying at the bottom of the aquarium or in root tangles on its side, you might be concerned. It surely doesn’t look like normal behavior, so what is going on? What causes a betta fish to lay on its side? Is it a symptom of illness or something else? Is this the end?

betta fish laying on side

The reasons for a betta fish laying on side are numerous, so let’s not waste another moment. It’s time to answer some questions and give you tips to figure out what is happening to your betta fish.

 

Betta Fish Laying On Side: Figure Out The Symptoms

Before figuring out the cause for your betta fish laying at the bottom of its bowl or tank in the substrate, on its side, you need to consider the following symptoms. Ask yourself whether your betta fish may be experiencing one or more of the conditions below:

  • Lethargy
  • Loss of appetite that has lasted for a couple of days
  • Paleness or discoloration
  • Bloating
  • Flicking against rocks and décor
  • Trouble swimming
  • Gasping or labored breathing
  • White spots appearing on body or fins

If your betta fish has one or more of those symptoms, something is wrong. Next, you need to watch your fish for about 30-60 minutes, undisrupted. It is possible that your betta is merely resting amid the substrate and will get back to its normal routine soon. However, if you look at the gills and mouth and notice rapid breathing, and it continues to lay still, you can assume it is suffering some sort of malady.

Other signs to look out for include swimming to the side and stiffness, which could mean a bacterial or fungal infection. If your betta fish has fuzzy spots or white blotches, protruding eyes, or rotting fins, it could be diseased.

Helping Your Betta Get Well

If you determined that your betta is unwell, there are some preliminary steps you can take to help make the situation a little better.

1. Clean The Tank

The leading contributor to betta fish falling ill would be an unclean tank. Even if you feed your betta regularly and keep the water warm, nutrient and waste build-up threaten the fish’s health. In fact, dirty conditions are where algae, parasites, harmful bacteria, and ammonia thrive.

Your fish won’t last long in dirty water. You will have to clean the tank. But before doing that, put your fish in quarantine, away from tank mates, if it has any, and in clean, fresh water. If your fish doesn’t get better after returning to a clean tank, you need to consider whether it has a fungal infection or another issue.

betta fish

 

2. Change The Conditions

Larger tanks promote happiness and health in fish, no matter their size. A bowl or vase will not only collect waste much more quickly, the water will pollute much faster as well. If you bought a betta from the pet shop and it is laying on its side in the cup, think about it for a moment. That water is likely unchanged and full of waste.

Give your betta a place to call home. A 2.5 gallon tank is the bare minimum, and even then, you need to give your friend some plant life and adequate space to swim. That will keep them healthier, longer.

Make A Betta Fish First Aid

In the event your betta does not get better when the conditions of the tank are changed and the water is clean, you may have to purchase betta fish medication. Most medicines for fish can be purchased online or at the local pet store.

Here are the ones to keep in stock:

  • Melafix (all-natural)
  • Aquarium Salt (all-natural)
  • Indian Almost Leaves (all-natural)
  • Bettazing
  • Bettamax
  • Jungle Fungus Eliminator
  • Tetracycline
  • Ampicillin

How To Treat Sickness In Fish

So you might be thinking, “Wait, I’m no fish vet!” Don’t be intimidated by the medications and the illness itself. You can easily diagnose your betta and ensure it gets betta’ too. If you know without a doubt that your fish is sick, transfer it to a quarantine tank for the time being. Many medications will kill plants and other invertebrates in the aquarium, especially if the medicine is formulated for a specific type of fish.

Here are some issues that may be affecting your fish:

  • Fungal Infection: Pale, lethargic, and cottony patches can be seen on your fish. Fungus is highly contagious and may spread to tank mates or plants. Administer anti-fungal treatment by following the instructions provided by the manufacturer. Add Bettazing or Bettamax to rid the tank of fungus entirely.
  • Fin or Tail Rot: While not the main reason your betta fish is laying on its side, it does add to the issue by weakening the ability to swim. Use ampicillin or tetracycline, as well as an antifungal.
  • Swim Bladder Disorder (or Fish Constipation): If you notice your fish is bloated, swimming on its side or even upside down, and lazing    around, it could be constipated. When this happens, it messes with the swim bladder. Treat this by fasting your betta and letting it pass the digested food completely.
  • Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis): Present in many aquariums, Ich is a protozoan form that can attack weak and diseased fish. This is why keeping the tank clean is paramount. Keep your fish in 80 degree F water for about 48 hours and add formalin.
  • Velvet: Do you notice your fish trying to scratch itself on the substrate and plants? Is there a golden shine to the scales that wasn’t there before? The betta may have velvet, which happens when the water has not been properly treated. Simply add Bettazing to the water.
  • Dropsy: This is not a specific disease but a term alluding to stomach swelling that causes scales to jut out sideways. Dropsy means that your fish can no longer regulate body fluids. It is a fatal condition if not caught early, but with a treatment of aquarium salts and medicine, you can save the betta from dropsy.

Other Reasons For Betta Fish Laying On Side

Aside from sickness or disease or lack of oxygen, there are some other reasons you might see a betta fish laying on side in its bowl or aquarium.

First, you have to consider the betta’s personality. Some of them like to sleep on their side while others might find a cradle amid plant leaves and roots. Betta fish sleeping on their side was the inspiration for a product called the “betta hammock,” a silk leaf that sticks to the side of the fish tank so your fish can lounge.

Another reason is age. The typical lifespan of a betta fish is between 2-5 years. As your betta fish gets older, it will swim ore slowly and act a little lethargic. You may even notice other signs of aging, such as bulging eyes, muted colors, and fin rot. More aggressive bettas that used to flare out at enemies will stop putting on a show. Because these old fish are tired, they will often linger at the bottom of the tank, laying on their side. Be sure to watch out for any tank mates that might try to hurt your aging betta and avoid any stressors, such as sudden temperature and light changes.

Lastly, your betta might be sluggish because the water is too cold. Betta fish come from warmer climates and need water between 75 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit. When the water is too cold, the betta fish will want to lay on its side.

By getting to know the betta fish’s personality and routine, you can better figure out what is causing your fish to lay on its side.

Conclusion

A betta fish laying on side could be a big deal or a tiny one, depending on what else is happening to your fish. By catching signs of health problems early on, you give your betta a better chance of getting better and living a long life. If you can’t figure out why your betta is laying on its side, it may just be your fish. Keep the tank cycle and regularly change the water to see if it helps make your fish more energetic. Even a small shift in temperature, lighting, and the addition of freshwater aquarium plants can help your betta’s condition improve!

Do you have any stories about betta fish laying on its side and what happened? Feel free to share!

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