My betta fish fell in the sink and is gasping for air. What to do?

Confirm stable water chemistry and water temperature. Bettas will jump out of the tank of stressed or if water quality is poor. They can breathe air for short periods of time as long as they stay moist. He may recover in a bit.

Bettas will surface to breathe air. This may be normal. Check the water chemistry though. Elevated ammonia levels may drive him to the surface. Check the temperature as well. Warm water does not hold as much oxygen as cooler waters. Bettas do best between 78 F and 80 F.

Recheck water chemistry to confirm 0 ppm ammonia and nitrites with nitrates at 20 ppm or less. A pH of 7 is fine and they can adjust to more acidic water as long as the change is gradual. Temperature should range between 78 F and 80 F. Plain aquarium salt (NOT table salt or epsom salt) can be used as a general tonic to reduce stress, improve gill function, treat minor infection and aid in recovery. Dissolve 1 teaspoon of salt per gallon of water in a cup or two of tank water and gently pour it into the tank. Perform partial water changes every couple of days to maintain water quality. Treat only the volume of water being replaced. Treat with aquarium salt for no more than 14 days then reassess the condition. An antibiotic, such as kanamycin or erythromycin, can be found in the aquarium section of the local Petco if the salt treatment doesn't help. Follow label directions carefully and remove the carbon filter insert during treatment if indicated.

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.

Check water chemistry first. Use a home test kit or submit a water sample for testing. Aim for an absence (0 ppm) of ammonia and nitrites with nitrates at 20 ppm or less. Perform a partial water change to stabilize water chemistry and/or to improve water quality. Use only conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent further stress or shock. Bettas do best between 78 F and 80 F. By your description, the issue may be swim bladder disease. This can be caused by infection (bacterial or parasites) or constipation. Maintain water quality as described above. Fast the fish for 3 days then resume feeding bits of cooked and shelled green peas. This will help with constipation. If this doesn't help. you can get a broad spectrum antibiotic from the local pet store. Look in the aquarium section. Follow label directions carefully and remove the carbon filter insert during treatment.

I'm sorry this happened! Don't beat yourself up over it too much. It was an accident. Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do for her. She will have to heal on her own. Most fish are pretty hearty and will recover from a drop without incident.

Hi, I’m glad Maxi made it through that ordeal! It sounds like you acted promptly and appropriately. Salt and stress coat are the perfect first step, short of an exam by a veterinarian. Since she’s acting normally, I would keep a close eye on her activity, body symmetry, and appetite. If in doubt, or you notice any changes in her regular patterns or attitude, don’t hesitate to take her to your vet. Good job acting so fast to save her!