Hi,

Thank you for contacting Tropicflow Aquatic! We received your message and will get back to you as soon as possible.

If your betta arrived alive but weak, stressed, pale, laying on the bottom, or not swimming normally, please don’t worry right away. Shipping can be stressful, and many bettas need a little time to recover.

🐠 What to Do During the First 24 Hours

1. Keep the water warm
Keep the temperature around 78–80°F and avoid sudden temperature changes.

2. Use clean, conditioned water
Make sure the water is fully dechlorinated and that ammonia and nitrite are 0 ppm.

3. Use shallow water if the fish is very weak
If your betta is struggling to swim to the surface, keep it temporarily in a shallow container or hospital tank so it can breathe more easily.

4. Keep the lights low
Turn the aquarium light off or keep it very dim for the first 12–24 hours. A quiet, low-stress environment can help a lot.

5. Do not feed right away
Let your betta rest first. You can offer a very small amount of food after about 12–24 hours.

6. Avoid medication at first
Unless you see a clear sign of illness, avoid adding strong medications right away. Most shipping stress is best handled with warm, clean water and rest.

7. Indian almond leaf can help
A small piece of Indian almond leaf (catappa leaf) can help create a calmer environment.

8. Keep the fish separated
If the betta is weak or stressed, keep it by itself until it becomes active and stable again.

❤️ Common Signs of Shipping Stress

It can be normal for a newly arrived betta to:

Lay on the bottom
Stay still or hide
Look pale or faded
Clamp its fins
Swim slowly
Refuse food
Breathe faster than usual

Many bettas improve after a few hours of warm water, dim lighting, and quiet rest.

If your betta is still alive but looks very weak, please send us a clear photo or short video within the first 24 hours so we can take a closer look and help you with the next step.

If the fish arrived deceased, please follow our DOA claim procedure and submit the required photos within the DOA claim timeframe.

Thank you for taking good care of your new betta. 🐠

Best,
Kai
Tropicflow Aquatic

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