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My betta fish is lethargic with clamped fins. What should I do?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

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

My betta fish look very sad and he sit at the bottom of the tank a lot. He's fins don't stand out as much, they are more bunched together. Is there anyway to help him?

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1 Answer

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Answered By Dr. Elizabeth

Veterinarian

Published on June 15th, 2017

I'm sorry to hear Paul us not his normal vibrant self. There could be many things going on, old age, poor water quality, disease...The first thing I would do is get his water tested, many pet stores offer this service for free. Additionally, betas do best in a tank that has heating and filtration. You may look at purchasing a 5-10 gallon tank with a filter and heater. This will ensure the water quality stays better than a standard beta bowl. Hope this helps.

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2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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