betta scared - any ideas?

[betazigzag]

Hi,
Thanks for all your help so far - the new betta (small 1 1/2 inches) is still in the 5 gallon cycled tank w/ heater on 78, light, real plants, everything tests as perfect. he is still hiding after 1 week and i can't tell if he's eating because he hides when anyone comes near the tank OR plays dead - fins get totally still and stiff. scared the heck out of my daughter lol, it is a sight. he's getting frozen brine shrimp because he wouldn't touch any of the other betta food but how long is it ok to let the shrimp or other food sit in the tank uneatern? i honestly can't tell if he's eating the shrimp either. i just put a towel around the front and sides of the tank and turned off the light. he's been in a very quiet room since the beginning. maybe that will help him calm a bit. his fins and body look in great shape, better than our other betta. definately looks healthy. i've rescued all kinds of animals but have never seen anything this scared before! i mean, he is obviously and truly scared! Any ideas to help calm him?

 

[dixaisy930]

Do you have any kind of decoration in the tank he can actually go into? I have a terra cotta pot in with all of my bettas (turned on it's side), and they all use them as their little hideouts.

One of my bettas, Ferdinan, was just like your betta, scared of everything. He would hide in the pot alot, but after a month, he's a "fish puppy".

Giving him something to actually hide in might help.

 

[wuvmybetta]

Good suggestions,dix.
I would also recommend keeping the light off more often. They come from murky water and their eyes are somewhat sensitive.