I came home from work today to find my betta, Archimedes, lying limp on a plant, not moving. His fins were hanging down, I couldn't see any gill movement or eye movement. I leaned over the bowl(which has no lid). He normally gets scared if you do this and darts away, but he did nothing. Didn't move at all. I turned the light on, nothing. I swished the water slightly, nothing. I phoned my boyfriend all upset and told him Archimedes was dead. We talked for about 20 minutes, then Archimedes started swimming! I couldn't believe it. I was so convinced he was dead. I am so relieved. He's never scared me like that before. Sometimes he does sit quite still, but he'll always move if you walk over to the bowl. I'll be keeping a close eye on him for a while, but the moment I am just so happy I still have my Archimedes.

Shame on him for scaring you like that! Naughty little prankster!

Glad to hear he's ok! By the way, archimedes is the best name ever for a fish.... 'cept maybe my goldie, Furball.

yup they do that sometimes. mine even goes brown.

I am glad he is o.k. Keep and eye on him though. Sometimes sluggishness in a betta can be the first sign he is ill.

I will be keeping an eye on him. So far he seems his normal self since then and is quite active.

The little pipsqueak!! Oh well, at least he is alive now ^.^ and I hope he stays that way! Maybe you can post a pic?

that happened to my goldie once. it was dead for sure it was floating upsidedown dead. suddenly it moved swam around the tank once then died again. it was like a last good bye

I'm glad your betta is ok. Do you think maybe he was sleeping?

My betta is well and good and has seemed healthy ever since. And he's not done that again. Normally when he sleeps he sleeps in the exact same position in the bowl every time, whereas that time he was more flating on a plant, so it was odd behaviour for him, and the fact I didn't move when I leaned over the bowl or swiched the water... don't know what that was about. But seems good and healthy and active ever since

That's a relief. Thanks for the update . Long live Archemedes !