Stressed Betta

Hi! I am new to this forum, and relatively new to keeping fish (1.5 years). I have recently purchased a new Betta (sadly my previous one died with a tumour). After a few days he became very lethargic, but with bouts of lots of lovement. His fins are retty clamped and I do not know why this is happening.

He was purchased from a reputable place, he was kept in a tank with other fish too and was fine. I'm all out of ideas - if anyone could help me, I would be very grateful!

Here is a little info:

60litre tank
Fed on 'Bug Bites' and occasional live shrimp
Tank is kept at 26 degrees Celsius
Tank also contain 4x neon tetras, 1 Molly & 1 Platy
Live plants
Hiding places, rocks, driftwood, etc.
Tank is filled with tap water, but treated with conditioner
All parameters are being checked weekly
30% water change and clean weekly

I believe he is stressed, but I do not know how to prevent this from happening, or how to treat it.

I have attached some photos and video. The first photo is of how he looked when we first bought him home, the rest are more recent.




Thanks in advance for your help!

It's very possible that the other fish are stressing him out. Neons are super active fish and if he is a timid betta the activity can cause him to hide which is what it looks like he is doing in the last photo. He may not want to swim around with all the activity in such a small tank. Bettas prefer to swim in the upper portion of the tank which is exactly where the neons also prefer and are currently taking over. Imo neons are too active for a 13 gallon and require larger schooling numbers of at least 6+, preferably more.

Also, if you look at the shape of the tank there is hardly any swimming room for the amount of fish you have in there. This can cause territory and aggression issues, often causing the picked-on fish to hide or dart around the tank.

Another thing to note is that the upper water column is very open and bare. Bettas prefer a lot of cover because it helps them feel secure. I would suggest adding some floating plants or moving him to his own tank (I would personally go with option #2).

Just another thing to add, neons are known fin nippers, especially when kept in inadequate numbers. Your betta is a prime target for them because of how much slower he is, and his long fins.

Thanks so much for your advice, I really appreciate it. It wasn't something I had considered as he came from a tank of neons, but I appreciate in smaller numbers how this might significantly change the situation. Thanks again!

newtoaquariums16 said:

Thanks so much for your advice, I really appreciate it. It wasn't something I had considered as he came from a tank of neons, but I appreciate in smaller numbers how this might significantly change the situation. Thanks again!

Click to expand...

Not to mention this is a new environment for him which is stressful enough on it's own without added tankmates that are likely contributing to his stress. Imo the bottom line is that the tank is too small for the fish, and bettas are solitary by nature and prefer their own space. Also, some species are not in numbers that are conducive to their health but that is another issue.

Welcome to our forum to start with...
It seems more that stress has come to him. Could be a matter of time before he gets really settled in. A betta that seeks a more quiet spot in the tank is quite normal. Laying on the bottom or keeping itself still in a corner at the surface of a tank is also quite normal for a betta (specifically long finned bettas). Short finned bettas are more alive in a tank.

Thanks very much! and thank you for a more positive response, I appreciate it. He looks a little better today and is opening up more which is great to see. Hopefully a few changes and a bit of time is all he needs