Hiding betta

by **SiennaBay** Sat 23 Oct 2010 - 21:40

My new little double-tail betta is in his new 6 gallon tank now but seems to spend quite a bit of time hiding behind the heater. He did the same thing in the 2 gallon temporary tank that I had him in for a few days. He does eat and appears healthy. When I first transferred him to the larger tank he started swimming around like crazy, exploring the plants and things. But then he goes and hides behind the heater & filter intake. Are some bettas just naturally "shy"?

by **silverrabbit** Sat 23 Oct 2010 - 21:50

I think a lot act like this at first - was he in a cup in the store? A nice tank like yours must seem very alien to him after experiencing that. Try tempting him to the front of the tank with some bloodworms, he should start coming to thr front when he sees you after a few goes with the worms Smile

Is the filter quite strong?

by **SiennaBay** Sat 23 Oct 2010 - 22:04

The filter has a moderate current. I was watching the fish swim near the filter outtake and he seems not to have a problem with it. Actually he kept purposely swimming into the area where the current was the strongest. I guess he liked it?

He was in a cup at the store and was in the temporary 2 gallon tank for about 3 days.

by **kizno1** Sat 23 Oct 2010 - 22:08

Are there many plants and hiding spots? If they dont feel secure they will often hide behind one thing that they think gives them the most cover.

by **SiennaBay** Sat 23 Oct 2010 - 22:43

There are 2 silk plants and one real plant, as well as a plastic bridge decoration that he can hide under. Still, there is a lot of open space. I'll have to add some more plants.

by **silverrabbit** Sat 23 Oct 2010 - 22:45

Maybe get him a coconut cave? A lot of bettas love them

by **kizno1** Sat 23 Oct 2010 - 22:46

yeah i would add some more if you can doesnt sound like much. I would go for live or silk plents because plastic ones can cut there fins.

by **2tall** Sun 24 Oct 2010 - 3:35

One of my CTs hid out for 11 days and didn't eat. I thought for sure he was
a goner. Several people told me he would need an adjustment period or as one said could be just "sulking". Seems like no sooner than I the received encouragement he snap out of it. I'm sure yours will too!

by **SiennaBay** Sun 24 Oct 2010 - 3:52

I hope so! The fact that my fish is eating is encouraging. I suppose he's feeling a bit overwhelmed. He's a little guy -- maybe he's young.

by **2tall** Sun 24 Oct 2010 - 4:00

Kind of hard to set them on your knee and give them a little pep talk!

by **SiennaBay** Wed 27 Oct 2010 - 4:44

I put more plants in my tank but my cute little double-tail betta was still hiding either behind the filter intake or under his plastic bridge decoration. Tonight, I tried putting a divider in the tank, reducing his space to 3 gallons with several live plants, and he seems much more at ease. He is small and not as aggressive and confident as most bettas. Now he is happily swimming around his space, twirling around the plants. [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] And I had an excuse to get another betta for the other half of the tank (pretty orange veiltail). Yay!

by **silverrabbit** Wed 27 Oct 2010 - 10:41

Aww great to hear Smile

Having a neighbour might be good to bring him out of his shell too

by **liz2** Wed 27 Oct 2010 - 12:21

some of them just dont like big open spaces...you dont know what might be waiting to eat you round the corner Shocked

by **silverrabbit** Wed 27 Oct 2010 - 12:55

liz2 wrote:some of them just dont like big open spaces...you dont know what might be waiting to eat you round the corner

hahahaha oh so true

by **liz2** Wed 27 Oct 2010 - 13:09

I saw a heron in a tree in next doors garden this morning and we live just outside town centre with hardly any green around....so all the fish best be careful............. computerlaugh

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