Betta Trouble

[Dreaded]

Well, eddie was doing great. He had a HUGE bubble nest, loved coming to the top to get his food every morning, wandered around his tank and was really active. But now he seems very restless. I brought home two new bettas and one is way across the room and the other is beside him in a tank, but he can't see the new guy unless I move the tank much much closer. He seems almost like he's pacing. His bubble nest is completely gone. He's still eating fine, but he seems angry with me. He has no signs of disease that I can see on the outside. He seems normal. Just depressed.

I did notice that an algae seems to be growing on his silk plant, so I bought an algae control and followed the directions perfectly. That was two days ago and it didn't seem to have done anything, so tomorrow I believe I'm gonna clean his tank and see if that will perk him up at all. He's usually very happy after a water change. I hope it helps. Do you think he could be depressed because of something?



Plus, Victor hasn't built a bubble nest at all. And he seems very restless also. He swims in the same pattern for up to 15 minutes, then rests at the top. He is also eating normally, but swimming frantically at the front of the tank, like there's something on the outside he wants to get to. I don't understand.

 

[dixaisy930]

It might be a good idea to move the bettas so they can't see each other at all...sounds like they all might be a little peeved about sharing their space with other bettas.

As for Victor, he's probably still acclimating to his new surroundings. Do you have a filter in the tank that your first betta is in? I think most plants need filtration to be healthy, and not cause water problems. But, then again, I don't know much about live aquarium plants.

 

[Inchworm]

Awww Dreaded, don't worry.

If they are all eating, they will be ok. Just give them time to settle in.

And Eddie will be ok, too. He's not upset at the new fish, but the chemicals you put in for the algae probably aren't doing him any good. I'll bet that after you clean his tank he'll be as happy as he was before.

 

[Dreaded]

Phew. Okay, thanks guys. I"ll get right on that tank cleaning. And yes there is a filter in with Eddie, but I took out his live plants when I did the algae treatment. They'll go back in later. Maybe he misses his hiding places. Yeah I'm gonna get onto cleaning those tanks right after my brothers get to school. Poor guys. Hope they'll perk up soon. I'm not gonna do a whole tank change for Victor because he has only been here for about 3 or 4 days, so I think he does need time to settle in, just like you said. But Eddie will love a clean tank. Stupid algae treatment. Didnt even do a thing besides make him sad. And I think I'll move New Guy to my bedside table away from everyone.

Thanks so much!

 

[Inchworm]

....... with Eddie, but I took out his live plants when I did the algae treatment. They'll go back in later. Maybe he misses his hiding places.

Hi Dreaded.

It might very well be that Eddie misses his live plants. I see my Ruby swimming through his all the time. I think he would miss them if they were gone. IMHO silk plants are just not the same as live!

 

[Dreaded]

Wow, Eddie really enjoyed his water change!

I almost had a tragedy with Victor, as I forgot to add the dechlorinator, but luckily i remembered within five minutes and put the drops in. He's doing great now, swimming and eating.

When you guys change your tanks completely, do you get bubbles all over the sides and on plants and stuff? They go away in a day, but for that one day, they're everywhere. On the plants, the tank sides, the gravel. It's so strange and the tank looks terrible.

 

[Inchworm]

Hi Dreaded.

I'm glad to learn that Eddie liked his water change. Did you put his live plants back in? And is he back to normal now?

I used to always get those bubbles, but haven't seen them in a while. If you draw the water for the water change the day ahead (just keep it in a big pot or something) by the time you use it they will have all gone away and they won't bother him.

 

[Dreaded]

A very good idea, Inchworm! I'll do that from now on.

I did put the live plants back in and he's thrilled. He hasn't been resting in them as usual, because I changed around the order of the tank. He's exploring

New Guy has built a big big bubble nest, and Victor is enjoying more space. I took out the creepy fake coral that took up the entire bottom of his one gallon and put in a very wavy very fun very soft plant. He's going nuts, resting in it, swimming through it and twirling around in little circles. Hopefully he'll start a little nest soon. He's alot more relaxed than he was before the change, where he was frantic and spazzy. Yay. I love happy bettas.