Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

    rewards header
    Become a member today!
    Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
    Already a member? Sign in
    Petco Pay LogoBecome a credit card member today!

    Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
    when you use Petco Pay!

    APPLY NOW
    Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

Why is my Betta fish lying on its side, has foggy eyes, and can't swim?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Fish | Betta | Male | unneutered | 1lb

Hey! Lately I have seen my Betta Fish lay on its side at the bottom of its fish tank. I’ve had this fish for almost 3 years and I’ve given it about 4-5 crumbs of fish food a day. My fish is lying on its side at the bottom of the tank and it sits there for a few hours and than moves to a different spot and lies on its side again, I do not know what I’m doing wrong, at first I assumed it was dead. My fish also has foggy eyes and has trouble swimming up to the surface. Please help.

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Angel Alvarado, LVT

Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT

Licensed Veterinary Technician

Published on April 6th, 2019

He is "old" for a Betta. Check the water chemistry and temperature. You can use a home test kit or submit a water sample for testing. The local Petco may do this for free or for a small fee. Aim for an absence (0 ppm) of ammonia and nitrites with nitrates at 20ppm or less. Perform partial water changes to stabilize chemistry and/or to improve water quality. Use only conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent stress or shock. Bettas do best between 78 F and 80 F.
The cloudy eyes may be due to infection. Maintaining pristine water quality will help, but you may need a broad spectrum antibiotic as well. Look in the aquarium section of the local Petco for medication. Follow label directions carefully and remove the carbon filter insert during treatment if indicated. Even with treatment, there may be permanent damage to the eyes if the condition has been chronic.
The "laying down" is sometimes seen even in healthy fish. They may choose to lay on gravel or the broad leaf of a plant. It may also indicate infection or injury though.
If hebisbhavibg difficulty reaching the surface, decrease the water level to make it easier. Bettas need to surface occasionally to get some air.
Vote Icon3Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By Todd Cecil

    Veterinarian

    Published on July 15th, 2019

    Thanks for reaching out about Norman and including photos. Test water quality for pH, ammonia, nitrite3 and nitrates. Correct problems as poor water conditions (high ammonia) with "new tank syndrome" can fray fins, cause gill damage (thereby swimming to surface to gulp air), and lethargy. If water parameters are good, a veterinary visit is needed to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan.
    Good luck.

    Vote Icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT

    Licensed Veterinary Technician

    Published on February 9th, 2017

    A betta's life expectancy is 3-5 years. He may be at the end of his span. Check the water quality and water temperature. Either can cause stress and illness if not set properly. Water temp should be between 78 F and 80 F. A drop below 74 F can be dangerous. Use a home test kit to check for high levels of nitrites, nitrates and ammonia. Correct levels through water change with treated/conditioned water.
    Make sure he is able to reach the surface to breathe. You can drop the water level if necessary.

    Vote Icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT

    Licensed Veterinary Technician

    Published on June 30th, 2018

    Monitor for redness, white spots or fuzzy growths on him. The swimming fast may be "flashing", which a fish with an infection will do to "scratch an itch".
    Maintain pristine water quality via filtration and partial water changes. Use only aged or conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent stress or shock when performing water changes. Bettas do best between 78 F and 80 F.
    Monitor water chemistry to confirm 0 ppm ammonia and nitrites with nitrates at 320 ppm or less. If you don't have a home test kit, most pet stores will test water for free or for a small fee.

    Vote Icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Health & Wellness
My fish is on its side, struggling to swim. What should I do?
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.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Food & Nutrition
Why is my betta fish at the bottom, barely moving, and breathing hard?
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.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Health & Wellness
Why is my betta fish lying at the bottom and its fins changing color?
Cold water can affect activity in fish. Bettas are tropical fish and do best between 78 F and 80 F. Check the water chemistry also. You can use a home test kit, such as the API Master Kit, or submit a water sample for testing. The local Petco may do this for free or for a small fee. Aim for an absence (0 ppm) of ammonia and nitrites with nitrates at 20ppm or less. Perform a partial water change if necessary to stabilize chemistry and/or to improve water quality. Use only conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent stress or shock. Diet can influence color, so it is possible this is partly to blame for the color change. There are diets that can be fed to enhance colors.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Food & Nutrition
My fish seems blind and is bumping into tank walls. What's happening?
Check the water temperature. Bettas do best between 78 F and 80 F. Low temps can affect activity in fish. Afterwards, check water chemistry. Use a home test kit or submit a water sample for testing. The local pet store may do this for free or for a small fee. Aim for an absence ( 0 ppm ) of ammonia and nitrites with nitrates at 20 ppm or less. Keep pH as close to 7 (neutral) as possible. Perform a partial water change if necessary to stabilize and/or to improve water quality. This may improve Blue's condition. If not, you may need to treat for infection using a broad spectrum antibiotic. Bacterial infections can affect eyesight. You can find an antibiotic in the aquarium section of the local pet store. Follow label directions carefully and remove the carbon filter insert during treatment if indicated.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
Why is my betta struggling to swim with a curved spine and gasping?
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.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
My betta is floating, bloated, has black gills and fin rot. Help!
By your description, there may be seversl issues here. Check the water chemistry and quality. Use a home test kit or submit a water sample for testing. The local Petco may do this for free or for a small fee. Ideally, you want the following parameters: 0 ppm ammonia, 0 ppm nitrites, 20 ppm or less nitrates, pH around 7, water temperature between 78 F and 80 F. Perform partial water changes to stabilize chemistry and/or to improve water quality. Use only conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent further stress or shock. Decrease the water level to make it easier for your fish to surface. Fast him for 2-3 days then feed bits of cooked and shelled green peas until swimming and defecation are normal. If he remains bloated, prepare a bowl of water at the proper temperature and dissolve 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt for each gallon. Allow for a 15-30 minute swim once or twice daily. In the main tank, use an antibiotic, such ad Kanaplex or Maracyn, to treat infection/fin rot. A conditioner such as StressCoat can also help fins. These products can be found in the aquarium section of the local Petco. Follow label directions carefully and remove the carbon filter insert during treatment if indicated.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Health & Wellness
Why is my betta fish laying on bottom and biting tail after cleaning?
Thanks for reaching out about Stanley. First, test the water quality for pH, ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. Correct any problems. Laying on the bottom might be an indication of a swim bladder infection/fluid. These are commonly bacterial and systemic antibiotics required. A veterinary visit is needed to prescribe medications. Antibiotics added to the water are rarely absorbed, and are generally for skin infections, vis contact. Good luck.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Related Searches

Fish SuppliesBetta Fish Health & WellnessBetta Fish ShopBetta FishBetta Fish Heating & LightingBetta Fish Filters & MediaBetta Fish FoodBetta Fish TanksBettasBetta Fish Sand & SubstratesBetta Fish Plants & DecorFish Health & WellnessFish Parasite TreatmentFish Fungus & Bacteria ControlAquarium Water CareBottom DwellersAlgaecides & Water ClarityFreshwater FishFish Breeding SuppliespH Treatments for Tanks
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Share

Styled arrow button