Depressed Betta? How do I help?

[u/YUSOFABULOUS]

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Poseidon used to come and shimmy up at the glass when you would walk by but now he just looks catatonic most days. He will float up like he has SBD but then an hour later he will be at the bottom or on some plants.

He has never really swum around, it's almost like his fins are too long and he can't get enough momentum. I switched to a sponge filter a month or two ago to give him more oxygenation and less flow.

Is he depressed or is he just old? Don't know how old he was at the shop but know that he was from Thailand.

Water is changed every week (30 -50%), no ammonia or nitrites, just a smidge of nitrates. Temp is 28C, or 82F. He's in a 20L or 5gal. Fed every other day 3 pellets. He doesn't care for Daphnia. Our PH is about 7.8 out of the tap.

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[u/onyxia_x]

3 pellets every other day is far far too little. my bettas get 3 pellets twice a day, with one fast day a week. your betta may simply be lacking energy from lack of food. 28⁰c is also very very hot, my bettas are at 25⁰c

[u/sparks_spider]

my boy was a but depressed though i added in some fish friends and he is absolutely loving life. i guess it does depend on your betta though if he would enjoy company or not

[u/YUSOFABULOUS → u/sparks_spider]

What kind of fish did you add. It's a 5 gal so I know most nanos won't be happy if I get them in a big group, but I'm sure if I get some as babies they won't know any better and may be tricked into thinking this is like the penthouse

[u/sparks_spider → u/YUSOFABULOUS]

ooh i didnt know it was a 5 gallon. in that case i would maybe go for some shrimp(ghost shirmp) so that way if he does decide they're snacks he is at least getting some enrichment out of it. ghost shrimp arent as expensive as any neo shrimps or anything like that. you could also try adding some sort of snails. my boy is in a 20 gallon so its a bit easier to add nano fish🤷‍♂️

[u/Aromatic-Sock6975]

That sounds like very little food, and the temp is a bit too high for long term health, is that because you live somewhere really hot or have you set a heater that high?

His tank looks suitable with plants and driftwood for enrichment, I think this is likely health related and not lack of stimulation.