Just got my betta fish yesterday. Drip acclimated, kept lights off and fasted until this morning. Everything went smoothly. Was super curious and checking out other tanks mates. Ate 4 northfin pellets in about a minute this morning. Wasn't until after that he noticed his reflection and has been pacing and flaring. I shoved all the guppy grass in the area he was most interested in but obviously he found the 3 other sides. I am planning to get floating plants for more cover and was thinking of getting bigger plants in the back. The bacopa is still growing slowly but if this becomes an issue I will need to replace some of the bacopa with larger plants.
I can try lowering my light a bit but the inside of the tank is pretty reflective. Even the towel I have sitting at the back to catch stray water doesn't stop reflections.
Is this something I need to be worried about or will he eventually "get bored" and stop?
This is my first betta so I'm still learning.
Tank: aqueon 10 gal
Light: seaoura SR-659 set to 40% full spectrum for 7 hours.
https://www.reddit.com/gallery/1sx5vlo
Posted by LunaBlackwood18
5 Comments
Set up is pretty good, but I would say add some more background plants and you can leave the front open and see if he might eventually get used to it.
Maybe some tall plants to break up the background?
Normal if you just got him yesterday. Add more plants for him to feel more comfortable, floating plants too.
First of all, this is a palace of a setup, nicely done.
It sounds like you’re still very early days so give him a week before you get too stressed, he’s likely not used to having the space to swim around so much, so it likely feels to him like he’s being followed. Watch for other warning signals (raised/flared scales, white spots, fin decay, etc.) but as long as your levels look good & he’s active & eating, I wouldn’t stress.
If he starts to show signs of glass-skating or trying to attack the reflection, there is also clear film you can get to wrap the tank that can limit reflections without blocking your view of the tank which might help, but give it a week before you sink money into the issue as it may resolve as he gets acclimated. You’re doing everything right! And he is gorgeous 😍
He’ll come around just keep the lights dim and introduce him slowly to having the light on it might take a week or a little longer but he will come around