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Why is my betta fish at the bottom, barely moving, and breathing hard?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Fish | Unknown - Fish | Male

My male betta fish had been sitting at the bottom of my tank barely moving and breathing heavily. He won’t even come up for more air or for food. He has been doing this for the past 3 days. Help!

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Todd Cecil

Veterinarian

Published on October 2nd, 2018

The first thing that needs to be done is a water quality analysis. If you don't have a test kit, most pet stores sell a basic test kit that measures pH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. If any of those are amiss, correct that problem.
Laying on the bottom of the tank is often a sign of swim bladder disease. This could be an infection, fluid accumulation or a mass pressing on the swim bladder. All of these create a situation where the swim bladder can not contain air, that allows them to control their buoyancy in the water column.
The best treatment for this is seek assistance at a veterinary clinic with experience with fish, and have systemic antibiotics prescribed. A radiographs would be helpful in diagnosis. A good fish veterinarian would probably be able to aspirate the swim bladder and collect a sample for diagnosis.
The majority of antibiotics available for fish over-the-counter are not good for internal infections and could possibly make things worse.
Good luck.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT
Licensed Veterinary Technician
Published on April 16th, 2018
The pellets may be too big or he may be too cold. Bettas do best between 78 F and 80 F. Try offering Micro Pellets and soak them in garlic juice to stimulate his appetite.If possible, turn down the filter flow to minimize any current. Bettas do not like a strong current, preferring slow moving waters.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Published on December 18th, 2016
Unfortunately these are quite generic and not-specific signs in common of many different pathologic conditions.
The approach must be very radical in these cases. Check basic water and environmental conditions (PH, Oxygenation, NH4 levels and so on). The tank water should be between 75 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit.
This category of problems is usually quite common.
Once you know that these are under control observe Rocky for any possible abnormality on his skin and tail and eyes.
If you notice anything more please write to us back again and we will be able to provide a more specific answer.
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Jessica Desrosiers
Veterinary Technician
Published on February 13th, 2017
It's possible Blue may have a problem with his swim bladder which helps control a fish's upward and downward movement and helps them to stay upright. Testing the water and making sure the filtration system (yes, bettas require more than just a bowl to live comfortably) is working properly may also help. If you see any other strange signs such as growths, molds, etc, most of these can be treated with products found in your local pet store.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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