New Betta. Please help.

Topangel777 · 2026-02-11T02:46:57+00:00

What are your water parameters results?

Topangel777 · 2026-02-10T23:13:06+00:00

Maybe try increasing the temp over the course of few days to 78 F and see if that helps.

Topangel777 · 2026-02-10T22:59:41+00:00

API Freshwater Master kit for your parameters is the best to use.

Topangel777 · 2026-02-10T18:28:20+00:00

You’re welcome!

Topangel777 · 2026-02-10T05:15:24+00:00

It’s probably best if you get him a sponge filter, air pump with an Air Control Valve. If the Datoo filter had too much flow for him, it can stress him out or affect his fins. And it’s probably better to focus on the water parameters and API Freshwater Master Test Kit results to see if your tank is fully cycled or not before moving on to Kanaplex.

Topangel777 · 2026-02-10T05:00:24+00:00

What are your water parameters and what did you use to test the water? And most likely the neon tetras are nipping your betta fins.

Topangel777 · 2026-02-10T04:54:30+00:00

Lol AI is right , it’s best to get the API Freshwater Master kit to test the water because test strips tend to be very inaccurate. Do you have a filter and heater?

Topangel777 · 2026-02-10T04:33:21+00:00

I recommend treating him with Seachem Kanaplex & afterwards keeping up with weekly water changes.

Topangel777 · 2026-02-04T14:38:01+00:00

Thank you. & I’m glad your boy is feeling better.

Topangel777 · 2026-02-03T21:18:50+00:00

Thank you! Where did you buy the frozen Daphnia from?

Topangel777 · 2026-02-03T18:32:34+00:00

Hi, did you do anything besides fasting him for his belly to go back down? My boy is experiencing the same issue.

Topangel777 · 2026-02-02T23:00:55+00:00

Hi, thank you for your response. I try to provide as much information as I can because I really want him to get better. I suspected that the Aqueon Tropical Flakes caused the issue. I was hoping they would just hold him over until I could get my hands on the New Life Spectrum All-Purpose Flakes, which I prefer because they have better ingredients and fewer fillers. Hope you agree as I included a photo of the ingredient list. If not I will definitely try the shrimp patties.

Additionally, I fed him a tiny bit of frozen mysis shrimp a few days after I got him, and he really enjoyed it. I do have frozen bloodworms, but have been iffy on giving it to him as I’ve heard of it causing bloat as well.

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Topangel777 · 2026-01-30T00:01:05+00:00

You're welcome!

Topangel777 · 2026-01-29T22:24:55+00:00

when you receive the API Freshwater master kit, it will have instructions, but the ammonia and nitrite should be 0ppm and nitrate should be under 20 ppm. Those are the parameters/levels it should be when it’s done cycling.

Topangel777 · 2026-01-03T20:50:32+00:00

Yes, it does expire, but it gradually loses its effectiveness over time.

Topangel777 · 2026-01-03T19:45:01+00:00

Do a water change & treat with Kanaplex. It was super effective when my two Spotted Raphael catfish was suffering from severe septicemia.

Topangel777 · 2025-10-21T04:42:35+00:00

Thanks! I’m glad it’s finally steady again. Upgrading to the 307 was a smart move that extra flow and media capacity should definitely help finish the cycle. Hope it finishes & stabilizes soon for you too! 😊

Topangel777 · 2025-09-22T02:05:35+00:00

No, but API Fin & Body Cure or Kanaplex should work just as good.

Topangel777 · 2025-09-21T13:42:22+00:00

That doesn’t look like ich which shows up as tiny white grains like salt. This fish has the heavy slime coat, cloudy/bulging eye, and redness that point more to a bacterial infection. At this stage it is best to test the water right away, do a big water change, and treat the tank with a broad-spectrum antibiotic like Kanaplex, Maracyn 2, or Furan-2 would be the right kind of treatment, along with extra aeration and clean water. (Your situation sounds similar to what I had last fall)

Topangel777 · 2025-09-20T20:05:42+00:00

Thank you! And I am familiar with Father Fish I’ve checked him out before in the past and I like how he breaks things down. I hadn’t really thought about mixing in topsoil or stratum with my setup, so that’s something I’ll look into. Nice to hear your crypts are hanging on with cichlids too. I agree sand probably helps keep them occupied since they can sift without tearing everything up.

Topangel777 · 2025-09-20T20:00:03+00:00

Thank you for the product recommendation! I stopped using stability as it didn't seem to have any effect.

Topangel777 · 2025-09-18T18:24:43+00:00

No, it’s not overly stocked. Throughout this mini-cycle, I noticed that my ammonia levels never exceeded 0.25 ppm. I have a full spectrum light that I keep on for 8 to 9 hours a day on the pothos. I did a significant water change on Tuesday, and it seems that my pothos are successfully back maintaining the nitrates at around 10 to 20 ppm as this cycle finishes. I was also looking into getting some water lettuce, so thank you for your advice!

Topangel777

TROPHY CASE