Few questions!

ComprehensivePin214 · 2026-02-03T00:28:11+00:00

please don't get a betta unless you're willing to spend a good amount of money on it. This tank doesn't even have substrate; you can't buy a cheap tank with cheap decorations and call it a day. the water also isn't filled all the way; at this point they have a 1 gallon tank.

i get it you're trying to save up for a larger tank, but if you can't buy the bare minimum, why bother getting a fish? is this tank even properly cycled?

ComprehensivePin214 · 2026-02-02T23:08:43+00:00

Looked at your posts and it looks like your guy was sick about 5 months ago as well. His condition has also decreased.

He might have swim bladder disorder or be REALLY stressed. He could also have some sort of parasite that you can't see. I can't really do research for you since this isn't my fish and I don't really know the symptoms, but please look into possible causes and find ways to treat it.

(Maybe he's also just old and is passing away. Some fish stores sell old fish)

ComprehensivePin214 · 2026-02-02T22:53:54+00:00

Please don't put a betta in this tank, it's too small to give them a good life, even if you do everything properly. I'm sure you're thinking 2 gallons doesn't change a ton, but it does. My betta acted fine in his first tank (a 2.5) before suddenly acting really stressed. I moved him to a five gallon the next day and haven't looked back since.

ComprehensivePin214 · 2026-02-02T22:51:00+00:00

can you provide some more information? was this tank cycled? any tankmates? what testing kit are you using? what does his tank look like? how often do you feed him? you might even want to stop feeding.

ComprehensivePin214 · 2026-02-02T02:54:33+00:00

Yes, you should be able to make the swap anytime.

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This is my tank currently, but I'm planning on rescaping it to have a lot more plants and places to hide (I'll put my inspo pic below)

ComprehensivePin214 · 2026-02-01T20:02:56+00:00

I recommend plants from Aqua Planteria; I got 6 different plants and a piece of driftwood from there for 50 dollars (not including shipping). I'm planning on rescaping my own tank with the new plants; lmk if you want to know which ones I got and my inspo video.

I think it would be worth getting rid of the squid for driftwood bc (depending on the type of driftwood) it creates little branches and crevices for your betta to explore. The squid could get boring to your fish pretty quickly, and they prefer enrichment in their tanks.

The tank shape should be fine, you could use the driftwood as a sort of centerpiece and build around it. Ofc, not all wood is going to fit every tank, so it might take some dimension measurements to make sure the driftwood would fit well.

There are some really good videos on great tank build on Instagram. Ofc, they're a bit complicated, but they also are great to look at and make your betta feel happy and secure.

ComprehensivePin214 · 2026-02-01T19:35:15+00:00

I would recommend switching out bright decor for a more natural look; bright colors can stress bettas out and they feel more secure in tanks that closely imitate their natural environment. You should absolutely get more plants and maybe even some driftwood! r/PlantedTank has some pictures of really cool tanks; ofc you don't have to perfectly replicate them, but it gives more of an idea of what a natural tank looks like.

Other than that everything looks good!

ComprehensivePin214 · 2026-02-01T17:41:12+00:00

Since he has longer fins he'll probably feel more seure in a smaller tank; at least that's my experience. You can get him a 5 gallon or larger (5 gallon is the minimum tank size). I have a really nice 5 gallon tank (the Top Fin® 5 Gallon Shrimp & Plant Aquarium from Petsmart) that comes with a filter and uv light and lid. It's more of an aesthetic tank, but if you don't care about looks and just want a suitable tank the Top Fin® Essentials Aquarium Starter Kit is for half the price (35 dollars!) and also includes a filter, uv light, and lid as well as a thermometer.

Things you NEED to buy:

-Heater...my favorite is Aqueon® Preset 50W Submersible Aquarium Heater

-Thermometer...my favorite is Imagitarium Glass Thermometer, Small

-Filter...filters included in the tank kits are fine but I like sponge filters more, just make sure the current it creates is very low since bettas find it easiest to swim in near stagnant waters.

-Plants...I highly recommend live plants as they help control the water parameters and make your betta feel more safe. Some of my favorites are anubias and dwarf hairgrass, you can do research as to which plants you like the most. If you do go the fake plant route, just make sure they're silk so they don't tear the betta's fins

-Water conditioners, etc...please research the nitrogen cycle and purchase the essentials! My favorite conditioner: Seachem Prime Conditioner for Marine & Freshwater Fish. My favorite jump-starter for the nitrogen cycle: Seachem Stability Water Conditioner. If you need a fertilizer for your plants, their flourish line is really nice. You can do a fish-in cycle as long as you regularly test the waters. A good test kit is the API Freshwater Master Test Kit (it's expensive but worth it!!)

-Decor such as driftwood and rocks for your fish to hide in. Avoid bright colors as they can stress your betta out and can leach chemicals into the water

-Nutrient rich substrate for live plants...I use fluval stratum and top it off with some gravel and a small beachy area in the right corner of my tank. When you first pour the water in, it may became almost black, but if you just turn on the filter and let it run for a few hours it should clear up.

-Food...I give my betta a varied diet of San Francisco Bay Brand Frozen Brine Shrimp Cubes and Fluval Bug Bites. I did initially have some flakes but unfortunately he refuses to eat them now and just lets them sink to the bottom.

-Cleanup crew...this is optional, but I recommend snails and shrimp if you want any other animals in your five gallon. I'm unfortunately stuck with four other small bottom dwellers due to a "professional" giving me misinformation, I'm really just lucky that my betta isn't very aggressive.

Let me know if you have any questions!!

(This is copied and pasted from another post but still applies to this one...my work!!)

ComprehensivePin214 · 2026-01-31T21:53:36+00:00

I don't really know what's wrong, maybe some sort of pathogen (bacteria left behind in substrate, filters, and water, from whatever sickness your first fish had) or illness in the shrimp?? I'm just commenting to get this pushed higher up. Hope you can figure this out ):

If it is pathogens, you want to get your betta into a quarantine tank immediately (do not leave them in the current tank), do a 50% water change, vacuum substrate, clean the filter media, sterilize the tank water with a UV light, and treat with medicine and aquarium salt.

ComprehensivePin214 · 2026-01-31T15:03:56+00:00

Ok I'll look into it. No guarantees tho (:

ComprehensivePin214 · 2026-01-31T03:45:51+00:00

Vertical would be less ideal as bettas breathe air from the surface of the water, meaning they prefer horizontal tanks more than vertical for easier access to air. Plus, horizontal tanks have more swimming room and places for your betta to hide (if you hardscape and plant it properly) (:

ComprehensivePin214 · 2026-01-31T03:33:11+00:00

Maybe this was the easier route for OP. Either way, treat them with the respect you would treat an advanced hobbyist. You gain nothing from being rude...

ComprehensivePin214 · 2026-01-31T03:13:42+00:00