Hi yall, I’d consider myself an adept keeper, not quite novice nor master. I adopted this boy 2 days ago and have never had a betta that looks like him before. He seems to be quite twitchy, so I’ve ordered paraguard that will be here tomorrow. He’s not eating, so I’m quite concerned. He’s in a 5g planted tank with hanging filter and heater, still kind of settling in its cycle, I am monitoring params. Is there anything about him that stands out to you guys, like is there an issue I’m not seeing that I should be treating or are these dark spots on his scales normal? He’s obviously stressed, I will be putting another plant in front of that glass he keeps surfing. He was in the cup at the store for 2 months. He looks about the same as when we brought him home, maybe a touch brighter. Please help! His name is Scotty 🥹
https://v.redd.it/di2afx6bn2xg1
Posted by Interesting_Fan1347
4 Comments
Seems like normal for new surroundings. Took mine a week or so to somewhat relax. I also am not a master so just my 2¢. Tank looks nice.
We have a TV near the tank, I’m convinced our betta loves watching old Cantonese operas!!!
Is he orange ? Omg he’s so pretty 🤩
Honestly I just brought home another betta myself the other day he had also lived in a cup for months . I have four bettas right now two females and two males . He came to with Popeye poor guy. But this is what I would recommend if your tank isn’t fully cycled yet I would say you need a product called prime and another called stability . And you dose these both daily and perform a 30percent water change daily . Until your levels read 0 ammonia 0nitrite and 10-15ppm nitrates . There a life saver type of product I’m telling you . And then I would add a dose of api stress coat plus this helps with there slime coat and helps with there fins . It’s some amazing stuff I use it in all of my tanks. Also I would add in a catappa leaf or two there also called Indian leafs almond leafs betta leafs they release tannins so it will color ur water a slight golden color but it reduces stress n your betta mimics there natural water habitat and fights off fungal and bacterial issues . They also help boost your bettas immune system so there great to have around the house you never know when you might need them. Another thing now would be how he isn’t eating . Stop feeding pellets and flakes and anything dry frozen if you can . Reason being is there just horrible for your betta they cause bloat , constipation, digestive issues , prolapse, swim bladder problems and that can lead dropsy. A lot of people seem to think pellets are good for you fish but there just not and ever since I lost a betta which was the only betta I ever fed pellets and flakes to he got bloat and constipation and I tried everything to help him the he developed prolapse from being constipated and he ended up with dropsy and passing and since then I decided to change my bettas food . And ever since I did I have never lost a betta to any of these issues. If you think of it what bettas in the wild eat flakes or pellets and fillers and wheat and starch ??? None! What do they eat ??? Mysis shrimp , daphnia,brine shrimp , bloodworms and so on . You get what I’m saying plus frozen is so easy to digest and will give ur betta the most nutrients and vitamins that they need . I suggest these foods and there exactly what I feed my bettas 1) omega one carnivore 2) omega one blood worms 3) San Francisco Bay four food variety 4) San Francisco Bay mysis shrimp for finicky eaters . I promise you your betta will eat these foods and love you for it . Check online and see if you can find these foods but most of them are at petco and petsmart in the frozen section hope this helps
After two months in a tiny cup, your fish is likely completely overstimulated. Imagine living in a closet forever and then suddenly being thrown into a gym – anyone would freak out at first 😉
As for now, I really recommend to darken the tank – just hang a cloth over it and, of course, turn off the light. This will help him a lot, since light stresses Bettas out even more.
Regarding the food -did you ask the shop what they were feeding the fish there? Have you tried that yet? Otherwise, I would just give him a little more time. It’s all quite overwhelming for this little guy atm.