New Betta, Is He Ok?

Kymie · Jun 8, 2009

Hi everyone, I've just joined as I got my first betta on Sunday :hyper:

He's a gorgeous blue/purple little guy - I'm a little worried about him at the moment though. He was the most active betta at my LFS (I was even worried he'd be too hyper!), he just seemed so happy and friendly! Since he came home though he's spent the whole time hiding in the rocks out of sight and refusing food except for a small bit of cory wafer that fell near him last night (he shares a 5 gal with 2 leopard corys). Do a lot of bettas become so nervous when moved?

Thanks, I really appreciate any help

youngfisher · Jun 8, 2009

Some do refuse to eat for the first 5 days or so, etc. Did you cycle your tank?

karigupi · Jun 8, 2009

Hy Kymie, he sounds really cute, would love to see a piccie if you can get one. As youngfisher said Its very common for them to be shy & quiet for the first few days, do you have any frozen bloodworm you could defrost & offer as a treat to lure him out?

Do you have a heater & filter for him? Are your water stats all ok?

I think its likely he's just a bit nervous & will come out & be friendly soon enough.

CTlovesKS · Jun 8, 2009

If you cycled you tank and it was complete there is nothing to really worrie about. Your not suppose to feed new fish for a couple of days by rights anyways and if you have a light try and keep it off so it helps him settle down. Wait another couple of days to a week and see how he goes. If not come back to us

Kymie · Jun 8, 2009

Thanks guys, I really appreciate your help. His tank has a heater set to 26 degrees celcius and a gentle filter so the current isn't too strong. His tank was cycled prior to him being added so I'm guessing he's just a bit skittish settling in. His tank at the LFS was completely bare and mine has plants, rocks etc, maybe it's sensory overload?!

I've tried him with betta flakes and freeze dried bloodworm, shall I try him again tomorrow or leave him to settle for a day or two?

I'll post a picture later if I get a chance to

Thanks again for all your help.

Kymie · Jun 8, 2009

Here's my boy, he's called Merlin

Please excuse the terrible picture quality, I had to use my phone camera!

This is when he first got home before he started hiding.

karigupi · Jun 8, 2009

awww he is really pretty, love his name too. I would try a little food tonight, see if you can tempt him.

Kymie · Jun 8, 2009

Ahh, thanks

And thanks for your help too

I tried him on some betta flakes again - slight improvement, he ate 3 and then spat them all back out! Does that mean he's not very impressed?!

lil-x-me...x · Jun 8, 2009

hehe you've chose a very picky betta there! haha love his name though, and also his colours. wish i could have one but unfortinatly my mum will not let me have one at all grrr! i love all the pretty colours they come in. shame

Kymie · Jun 8, 2009

I think I have! The only thing he's shown any interest in so far is a cory wafer!

I'm still so excited about having him! I also have a lionhead goldfish who's the cutest thing in the world but I've always hankered after a betta!

Hope you can get your own soon

karigupi · Jun 8, 2009

lol bless him, sounds like he's a bit picky, it may be that he only had pellets at the shop & isnt used to the other food yet? At least he has shown some interest, wont be long before he's wizzing out to see you when you pass to beg for more food

Kymie · Jun 8, 2009

Yeah, he was kept with about 15 white cloud mountain minnows in the shop so I'm guessing he's been living on tropical flakes or pellets rather than proper betta food - poor boy.

I'll keep you posted on any progress!

loraxchick · Jun 8, 2009

he'll eat when he's hungry. just keep offering and remove the uneaten pieces. they can go a while without food. hes most likely just getting used to things.

silverrabbit · Jun 9, 2009

One of my bettas sulked for nearly a whole week when I first got him, and then when he was hungry he started accepting his betta pellets. Keep trying!

Kymie · Jun 9, 2009

Thanks guys, your help is really appreciated

I will keep persevering with him!

I have now removed the corys from his tank and did a 50% water change earlier - he's been much perkier since and hasn't hidden under his rocks once! He even came near my hand while I was moving some rocks around

Now it's just the eating to go!

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