so i had this pretty boy for about 4 months now, i never knew anything about betta fish when i first got him. so i had him in a 2.5 gallon tank with no filter and heater, i thought it was okay because the pet store told me it was perfect for him. and he was doing AMAZING in that tank. he was building huge bubble nest, and exploring and we always had weekly water changes. but for christmas i got him a 5 gallon tank with a heater that is preset at 78. and a sponge filter with adjustable water flow. but when i put him in that new tank he was doing just fine for the first night. but then we started flaring and biting the glass ALL DAY. he swims in this specific pattern NON STOP. i tried moving all the plants to the back to see if that would help. but he just pushes through them. i’m trying my best! and i went back to the pet store to get more plants but all of the plants had spikes and i was afraid it would cut him. i tried covering the back of his tank and he still does it. im really scared for this little guy. he never has does this and i dont want him to stress himself out!! i have had his light turned off so he will stop flaring and i let natural light in to light up his tank. i’m super worried. please someone explain why he does this!! all he does is go in the same pattern!
https://v.redd.it/6sfxy5qposcg1
Posted by bettafishhelpp
12 Comments
Have you checked the parameters of this new tank? Looks like this is a brand new start, aka not cycled.
To me it seems like he’s exploring but I am definitely no expert in Betta behaviors!
I can imagine a new environment with plants and thingsto see/swim through is enriching and such, but I’ll wait for the professionals to respond to this thread xD ^^
I would recommend in the mean time (if you haven’t) testing the water parameters with test strips or the liquid test kits just to be sure the water quality and parameters are suitable and safe for him. Sometimes they may seem very restless if the conditions aren’t right or safe (like Ammonia, Nitrite & Nitrate) for him. If I could, I would also recommend doing a bit of research on what the “nitrogen cycle” is and what it all means since that is a very important part of betta/fish care and it REALLY helped me form a very deep understanding of what conditions will be safe for our little guys!
I hope he does great and I hope you get the responses you’re looking for! 😀
I’d put an aquarium background in there. That way the refraction/mirror effect is nullified and he won’t chase his reflection around all day.
https://preview.redd.it/craztcbfyscg1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7969b5ba9442153ac4e136ee8fc4b4e1f72e0252
This is what I meant by more plants. Lil guy LOVES the thick stuff and it’s the only thing that kept him from attacking himself all day. Now he explores all day lol
I just got my betta a week or so ago and he swims like this most of the day. They’re just exploring and stretching their legs.
OP, if you want a simplification of the nitrogen cycle: it takes extremely toxic/harmful components (ammonia and nitrites) and converts them into far less harmful components (nitrates).
Ammonia turns into nitrites, then those turn into nitrates.
Ammonia comes from fish waste.
What cycling does is builds bacteria in the filter that eat the ammonia and nitrites that then convert them into nitrates.
Nitrates are still toxic, but it takes far more of them to be as dangerous as ammonia and nitrite. You want them at 20ppm or less.
When you do a water change, you’re manually lowering the nitrate level.
so he definitely needs the heater and filter, but my unpopular opinion is that same bettas truly prefer smaller tank sizes. if he did much better in the smaller one, you might think about putting him back in with a heater and filter!
Ask the pet store if you can please have a piece of their seeded media. I get some of my plants from Amazon believe it or not. Some from a vendor on Facebook Marketplace, and I’ve ordered from Dustin’s Fish tanks as well. From Amazon I’ve ordered cabomba, red tiger lotus, guppy grass and Java fern. Facebook Marketplace was here in NH United States. And Dustin’s is an online plant store here in the states as well. My favorite plant so far is the Cabomba. It’s fast growing, big and lush and feathery and bright green. Same with the guppy grass.
You’ll DEFINITELY want to watch YouTube on dips to remove pests such as snails and snail eggs. The plants are LOADED!! No matter where you get them from. For now though I don’t know what to say about the swimming like that. I’ve two do that and the end result for both wasn’t good. Try filling that tank up with plants as full as you can and be sure he places to rest
He is probably not used to all the space. (Obviously) i would give him some time or you could put him back in the smaller one.
ok, calm down my first betta did this all the time. bassically its just him swimming at his reflection. the best thing you can do is add more plants, NO PLASTIC and you are going to have to get rid of those decorations. If the plants are plastic or fake The best thing you can do is head to your local pet store and buy yourself some live plants. they are only around $10 bucks and they are great for the tank and dont hurt betta‘s fins. Fake plants are just what those pet stores want you to buy, but they will tear their fins and make them prone to disease. I also recommend buying a black tank background from amazon it helps with the reflection. from what i can see your betta looks pretty healthy and you don’t have to be too worried. I just really think you should change out your decor with live plants and some natural rocks or wood just make sure to boil them or soak them for a while so they are clean:) good luck! also do not use preset heaters i made that mistake. You can buy some random cheap one but make sure it has a thermostat and you also have a thermometer
https://preview.redd.it/pb5z6xj9qtcg1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=704bd6b26878f7b9596413b270cef4c809401c40
also please buy this if you don’t have it. It’s like the holy grail of fish keeping, if you don’t know about the nitrogen cycle and ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate please try google it and learn about it. But this stuff bassically detoxifys all of the things (ammonia, nitrate, nitrite) that kill your fish. It works for about 24 hrs but it’s really good for new tanks especially if yours isn’t cycled also make sure to apply the right dosage after every water change or use some kind of water conditioner otherwise you will kill your fish!
It’s just glass surfing he’ll be fine in a week or two,he’s just getting used to it.