In this blog we will discuss the reasons behind betta fish shaking and how to deal with it.
Overview
In this blog
- Why is my betta fish shaking?
- What are the other symptoms accompanied with shaking in bettas?
- Why do bettas shake frequently?
- Summary
- Frequently asked questions
- Reference
Why is my betta fish shaking?
Shaking, also known as shimmying, is more of a symptom than a separate disease and a sign that the fish can no longer properly control their nerves and muscles.
Shaking is an involuntary movement in which a fish’s muscles tense and relax. In fish, twitching can be seen in their mouths or pectoral fins.This happens when the fish is under a lot of stress, most often due to environmental issues.
If bettas start shaking erratically, it may indicate an external parasite infection such as Ich/velvet, or it may indicate a water quality problem such as ammonia or chlorine irritation.
If your fish is showing frequent shaking, this could be a sign of a tumor or other type of growth that is putting undue stress on your betta’s nervous system.
There are various reasons why a betta fish might start to shake, including boredom, stress, or illness. It’s a common part of their behavior and can indicate stress.
However, it can also be caused by a number of different diseases or infections, parasitic infections, or other diseases.
There are many reasons why fish may shake or move around nervously. Some of the more common causes include:
- Bettas might be shaking due to pH fluctuation
- Bettas might be shaking due to Ich infection
- Bettas might be shaking due to velvet infections
- Bettas might be shaking due to ammonia irritation
- Bettas might be shaking due to chlorine irritation
- Bettas might be shaking due to lack of oxygen in bettas water
- Bettas might be shaking due to stress
- Bettas might be shaking due to gill flukes
Bettas might be shaking due to pH fluctuation
Rapid pH fluctuations can also lead to behavioral changes such as shaking in bettas.It is always a good idea to have a pH testing kit on hand as small variations in pH over a short period of time can be a problem.
Bettas might be shaking due to Ich infection
If your betta fish is shaking or swimming abnormally, it could be a sign of Ich, an internal fish disease.
Ich infections are caused by ectoparasites that produce multiple white spots on the skin, gills and soft tissues of betta fish.
The appearance of the Ich looks like small white grains of salt that stick to the head, body and fins of the betta. They are easy to spot and can become serious if left untreated.
Ich treatment:
- Main methods include adding salt, increasing aquarium water temperature, and changing the water used by betta keepers to treat Ich in bettas.
- Before starting any treatment, make sure to remove any carbon from the filter.This will make the medication less effective.
- Add aquarium salt to the aquarium water.
- Raise the temperature of the aquarium by 2 degrees Celsius or 4 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Add medication to the aquarium water.
Bettas might be shaking due to velvet infections
Velvet disease, caused by a dinoflagellate parasite in betta fish.It often appears as rusty dust on the bettas head and body. It can also appear brownish, golden, or red.
Velvet parasites are harder to see with the naked eye. Parasites sometimes make them a little shiny, so they are often easier to see with a flashlight.
Velvet treatment:
- Raise the water temperature.
- Turn off the betta aquarium lights for a few days.
- Add aquarium salt to their aquarium.
- Treat bettas with copper sulfate for ten days to treat the infection.
- Stop using carbon filters during treatment.
Velvet is a common ailment that bettas can suffer from. It can quickly move through a fish room and infect every fish before you know it’s even sick. Early diagnosis and treatment is key to a successful fish recovery.
Bettas might be shaking due to ammonia irritation
If you’ve ever owned a betta, you’ll know that when they don’t get enough food or water, it’s obvious that there is ammonia present in the water.
Ammonia is known to be one of the most damaging and toxic chemicals ever found in water.Bettas start shaking due to ammonia irritation.
A sharp increase in ammonia can cause sudden death of betta fish, but the effects of ammonia irritation usually do not appear until 2-3 days after exposure.
Therefore, it is critical to change the water quality as soon as a problem is identified.
Bettas might be shaking due to chlorine irritation
Bettas start shaking due to chlorine irritation too.Chlorine damages the sensitive gills and the skin that covers the whole body of betta fish.
Fish placed in chlorinated water can begin to have respiratory problems.
Bettas might be shaking due to lack of oxygen in bettas water
Bettas do shake if the water lacks oxygen, especially near the top of the water, bettas will not be able to take in the required oxygen and may choke them.
Keeping your betta tank clean will help him stay healthy, but it will also help him stay calm and prevent him from trying to escape from whatever he is doing that is causing him to panic.
Bettas might be shaking due to stress
Many possible reasons exist for why bettas may be shaking. Bettas may be feeling stressed or anxious about something.
Stress can cause him to shake or tremble, as well as making his gills very sensitive to the air around him, making them vibrate.
If your betta is stressed out, you might notice that his water gets dirty quickly, which could lead to dead skin cells and higher ammonia levels in his aquarium.
High ammonia levels are stressful for bettas, and can lead to health problems.
Stress is one of the leading killers of fish, and there are several ways to avoid it, such as exercising, feeding at a different location, and avoiding constant interaction with a pet owner.
Bettas might be shaking due to gill flukes
Betta shaking is a common symptom of gill flukes, and it can be quite uncomfortable and frightening for both the fish and its owner.
The whole body will suffer extreme stress when betta is struck by gill flukes, which will result in an abnormal loss of movement and anomalous behavior, such as aggression against the owner,other betta fish, and even other aquarium members.
The symptoms of this disease include:
- Constant head shaking
- Rapid breathing and rapid heart rate
- Loss of movement in the fins.
Treating betta fish with gill flukes is not difficult,but it is a challenge. Treatment for fin rot typically involves removing the affected fish, giving them drugs like Nolvasan, or using a topical treatment.
What are the other symptoms accompanied with shaking in bettas?
There are various other symptoms accompanied with shaking in betta fish:
- Rapid breathing or heavy breathing
- Darting of the eyes
- Jerking motions of the body
- Discolouration
- Inflating and deflating
Why do bettas shake frequently?
If your betta fish is shaking more often than usual, this may be a sign of a tumor or other type of growth that is placing undue stress on the fish’s nervous system.If the problem is caused by a tumor or other growth is the cause, treatment may include surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Summary
Betta shaking is most likely a result of a problem with the fish’s nerves and muscles. The body and nerves of a betta should be treated with care to ensure they remain healthy and functioning.
Ammonia is considered as one of the most damaging and toxic compounds ever discovered in water, it is critical to modify the water quality as soon as the problem is identified.
Use the freshwater aquarium test kit to test betta water for dangerous toxins such as ammonia, nitrite and nitrate.
Treating betta shaking involves relieving the stress that’s causing the fish, or changing its diet.
It is important to keep the water your betta is kept in at a comfortable temperature, as this will help to keep the fish healthy and reduce their energy needs.
The fish’s nerves and muscles must be kept flexible in order to function properly.
Even if it is common to watch a fish shake, it is always important to be sure whether your fish is truly unwell or suffering from a disease.
Appropriate water filtration and circulation, as well as correct pH levels and other variables that play a major role in keeping betta fish healthy.
To keep your betta healthy, be sure to keep everything clean and healthy including the water in which he or she lives. Be sure to check on your betta’s health often to make sure everything is okay.
Some common fish illnesses can be prevented by making sure your tank has the right supplies.
Frequently asked questions
Do bettas shake due to ich infections?
Yes, bettas shake due to Ich infection.
Do bettas shake due to ammonia irritation?
Yes, bettas shake due to ammonia irritation?
