new here, a few questions

[ladybug77]

Hi everyone!
I received Sam at a wedding this past summer, where he was the centerpiece (in a vase with the floating plant). I placed him in a regular bowl with a silk plant. I didn't find this site until a few months later. He was quite active a vigorous, so I didn't think that I had to get him a warming light or put him in a tank with a filter. Over the past couple of months, he has been much less active, most of the time just floating at the top or bottom, sometimes he hides under his plant, and I have to make a noise to get him to move. I don't think that I spot any of the symptoms of any of the diseases listed here, and I am wondering if the temp is too cool for him, and I need to upgrade him into a tank that is heated. How do I go about doing this so that he isn't to shocked and stressed?
Thanks!!
ladybug77

[sawcat]

If you get a new tank, have it all set up with a filter and heater, if you're using either (get the water up to temp if you use a heater), and float him in the water for a while to get used to the temperature. I kept the cups mine have come in, but if you have a plastic cup you can use.

How big is his bowl, and how often do you change the water?

If you got up to a 2.5 gallon tank, you could get a 25watt heater for it, that's adjustable and will only heat when the water temp drops a certain amount. If its just temperature, you'll see a big difference in his activity being in a steady temperature.

[crazkat]

You also might try to get a mirror and let him flare at it for a few minutes each day and see if that helps.