Betta fish temperature shock symptoms

 

Betta fish are temperature-sensitive aquatic creatures. They originated from tropical areas. In tropical regions, the water temperature is usually high, ranging between 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit. So the betta fish are meant to stay healthy and happy in this temperature range.

Betta fish near me cannot cope with rapid changes in water temperature, and they start showing temperature shock symptoms.

This problem usually occurs during tank water change or when you bring betta fish home for the first time. Putting fish rapidly in much more relaxed or warmer water can also lead to temperature shock in bettas.

Temperature shock symptoms can be deadly for betta fish. These symptoms vary depending on whether the water is too cold or too hot. In this article, we will guide you about both cold and hot temperature shock symptoms. Let's begin.

Hot temperature shock symptoms:

If bettas are placed in too much hot tank water, then they might show the following temperature shock symptoms:

1.      Rapid breathing

If betta fish are kept in warm water, they start breathing rapidly. The reason is that hot water does not contain enough oxygen that bettas require for normal body function.

Moreover, warm water speeds up bettas' metabolic activity, leading to more oxygen requirement. To fulfill this oxygen needs, bettas start breathing rapidly.

This leads to suffocation in bettas due to the inability of the heart and inclusive cardiovascular system to keep up this rapid breathing. This rapid breathing and fast metabolic rate increase the aging rate in betta fish. They might die sooner than their expected age.

2.      Swimming on the surface:

Another hot temperature shock symptom you can notice in bettas is their swimming pattern. They tend to swim only around the surface of tank water to capture more atmospheric oxygen.

3.      Erratic swimming

Betta fish start swimming irregularly in warm water to escape from unhealthy tank water conditions. During this disoriented swimming, they might bump into the tank's side. Sometimes they swim in an up-down pattern.

This irregular and continuous swimming lead to over-exhaustion. Your betta might be unable to lift itself off the bottom gravel, and fin rot can develop.

Cold Temperature Shock Symptoms:

Cold tank water brings the following changes in the betta fish: 

1.      Loss of color

If you observe discoloration in your bettas, you should understand there is something wrong with the tank water temperature. You might also see stress stripes development in female bettas in cold tank water.

After water temperature maintenance, these stress stripes might take several weeks and months to disappear. Betta fish takes a lot of time to regain its beautiful colors.

2.      Coma condition:

Your betta fish might undergo a coma condition at a shallow temperature. Their metabolic rate slows down in cold water due to insufficient oxygen. This can also lead to death.

You must not misdiagnose a coma condition with death. If you observe inactivity in your betta, change the tank water temperature; if your betta does not move, it might be dead.

3.      Lethargy

Another hot water symptom that you might observe in betta fish is lethargy. This is due to their slower metabolic rate. Your betta fish will spend most of the time resting on the bottom of the tank or other plants and decorations around your aquarium, which could lead to fin rot.

Conclusion:

After buying betta fish near me from online stores, you must take proper care of them. If your betta fish show any of the above symptoms, you should immediately set the tank water temperature. Otherwise, your pet friend will not be able to survive for a longer time.