Hey guys. Just wanna make sure my guy really is just super grumpy and dramatic and not that he’s in any bad way.
I had a 5g betta setup from moving my bigger betta to a 10g (I’m upsizing all tanks slowly) The tanks cycled, got a heater (at 80f), filter, is well planted (moss, ferns) a cave, driftood, almond leaves. I feed 3 pellets at night.
I added my new betta fairly recently and he’s seems to adjust really well except for a few things: he hates light, so I got more floating/& reg plants, added a few extra almond leaves to darken the water and lower PH just in case and hes been much more active. He’s definitely NOT a chill guy, he killed the 2 sunburst shrimp I put in the tank (my other betta is totally chill will shrimps) which, okay 2 shrimps lost which is sad, but I learned that he’s super aggressive- way more than my other betta, so good to know and won’t to again.
Now here’s where I think it’s actually where it’s not a water quality/ tank size/ medical issue: when I watch him from far away (he’s in direct eye-line from from my couch) he’s swimming around, going in and out of the driftwood and cave, swimming through plants. It’s only when I come close he’s goes ballistic. he’ll flair more than I’ve ever seen any betta I’ve had before and dart around while looking at me. I don’t think it’s because he’s hungry. In fact, when I try and feed him he swims away from me and will only eat if I drop it close to where he moved to.
Am I missing something with the parameters? Missing something in general? Or am I’m just right in thinking his personality is so just different from my other betta and ones I’ve had before. My other guy is so sweet and comes up to see me and swims around so peacefully no matter what. This dude is a straight nuisance (he’s beautiful and very funny but jeez I really think he doesn’t like me)
If you read the whole thing- I really appreciate you. And if you know anything to help explain I’d be so grateful. I want to be justified in naming this guy Mr. Grumpy, the Slayer. But not if he’s actually unhappy for a valid reason.
https://www.reddit.com/gallery/1rd8lue
Posted by Proud-Cobbler5980
2 Comments
When you’re far away, you’re just background. When you walk up, you’re suddenly in his territory, so he flares and goes into defense mode. To him, you are a black shadow approaching his home, so he gets defensive. That’s normal for a super territorial betta, especially one that already proved he’s aggressive.
If he swims normally, explores, and eats, it’s not a parameter issue. He’s not unhappy ge’s just wired spicy. Just approach slowly as not to startle him and make sure he sees your hand feed him in the same spot everyday. Eventually he’ll probably associate your hand with food
Sounds a bit like my betta, i’ve had him for a week and he’s extremely confident which makes him super fun and interactive, but he did murder and eat every single one of my 8 neocaridina within the first 6 days unfortunately 🥲