Bunny hoping Betta

[eatyourpeas]

I was looking at the Betta display at my LFS to see if I could bring home the sad little one I last saw. Turns out he died, so I started looking at others. One caught my attention due to its behaviour (I do not have pictures or movies), as it was resting on its tail and when it moved it did little hops around the cup. Has anyone seen this? No other signs of stress or damage that I could see.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

I was looking at the Betta display at my LFS to see if I could bring home the sad little one I last saw. Turns out he died, so I started looking at others. One caught my attention due to its behaviour (I do not have pictures or movies), as it was resting on its tail and when it moved it did little hops around the cup. Has anyone seen this? No other signs of stress or damage that I could see.

Yes, I have seen this in PetCo and PetSmart. It’s sad to see them resting on their tails like that.

Do you mean when his own tail moves, he jumps as if in fright? Or when you move the cup?

 

[eatyourpeas]

Cups are not being picked up at all. It is the way he tries to move around inside the cup. They have air tubes going to each cup. This looks like the display at LFS.

 

[eatyourpeas]

My other LFS had Bettas like this in one-gallon jars.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

The air tubes may be scaring him every time he tries to move around. But I’m not 100% sure.

That’s a very nice setup your LFS has. Usually they are crammed in those super small cups.

 

[eatyourpeas]

This is a sweet LFS. Mostly focused on the planted aquarium. It is called Aquarium Zen.

 

[Scoutcast]

I was looking at the Betta display at my LFS to see if I could bring home the sad little one I last saw. Turns out he died, so I started looking at others. One caught my attention due to its behaviour (I do not have pictures or movies), as it was resting on its tail and when it moved it did little hops around the cup. Has anyone seen this? No other signs of stress or damage that I could see.

I see that this is an old post and perhaps you've already received more answers somewhere else. I brought home a betta who was in this exact condition from a local Petco. It was likely swim bladder, and I was able to rehabilitate her. I used a shallow hospital tank so she didn't struggle to reach the surface to breathe and feed, and used strategically placed decor as well when gradually increasing the water volume as she grew stronger. I used aquarium salt, Seachem Stress Guard, fed lightly, and did not use any medications since there was no evidence of parasites or bacterial infection.