Help! Betta Breathing Rate Increased!

[coffee]

My betta in a 10 gallon planted and is rapidly breathing. Not lethargic, swimming as normal and colors are great. Water is heated @ 80F. Healthy betta I've had for nearly a year by now while living in my fairly well agitated planted aquarium, though just now their breathing rate has increased significantly. Ammonia 0ppm, Nitrate 5ppm, Nitrite 0ppm, Hardness 0ppm, Buffer 0ppm, pH 6.4, Chlorine 0ppm.

 

Please may someone give some sort of explanation? This is really stressing me out, and I really want to know some sort of answer.

[nabokovfan87]

Adding a little bit of aquarium salt might be all that you need.

Can you show us a video and describe your setup?  (Sponge filter, Airstones, etc.)

Cc: @xXInkedPhoenixX 🙂

[Flumpweesel]

Do you use CO2? It's there an air stone?

When was the last water change?

[CT_]

You have no gh and no kh? Are you sure?  Do you use distilled or RO water?

[xXInkedPhoenixX]

I think personally, the pH is way too acidic, I aim for around 7 or a bit above in my Betta tanks. The lack of kh to me, means your water parameters can wobble on a dime which isn't great for a Betta, they are sensitive. 

Adding an airstone and salt may help.