My Betta is timid=(

[William]

I was wondering if any of you had any advice my betta is timid (he had been in a community tank and would hide INSIDE the filter!) So he now has a new tank all of his own but he still is skulking and hiding, I guess it's probably his nature and it'll take a while for him to come out of his shell, but if you have any tips/I'd love to hear them!!

 

[White Whale]

How big is his own tank? Might be a little too big for him. Just give him time. Maybe even get him a little hungry by not feeding himy or two. He'll then get the idea who feeds him - and if he wants to eat, he'll have to come out. Crude, but it worked for me.

 

[cation]

Hey William - Does he flare at mirrors? Does there appear to be anything else wrong with him?

 

[wuvmybetta]

He'll settle in, they're skittish little creatures sometimes. My only suggestion would be more bettas N/K!! They DO like to see each other they just don't like to be together, if that makes sense. Try the mirror as cation suggested, that may perk him up and make him feel like he's not alone in the world

 

[William]

Yep the little man will flare up like crazy and get really agitated with a mirror, I worry though that this ends up making him more scared but I guess when I take the mirror away he thinks he has "won" the fight The new tank is not big at all, a few gallons.

One of teh other problems was in the community tank I worried if he was getting enough food as like I say he didn't come out much, he was eating fine this evening though in the tank which was good. Do they mind the lights in the tank being on much in general - perhaps mine likes to be nocturnal

 

[wuvmybetta]

I've found that they're not too crazy about lights at all. Seem's that they won't even spawn until lights are out and when I walk in the betta room at night with only the dim night light on, they're all dancing about,it's really something

If he has a bright overhead light,I wouldn't use it for a while. Picture it this way, if you're in a brightly lit room it's harder to see out, with his lights off and the room lights on it will really expand his world. It's a possibility

 

[William]

As an update he is doing great now!! Will try and get some pictures, but he is still recovering from his time in the community tank Can't wait to see what he is like in a few weeks he already is much more active and much less timid.

 

[cation]

Glad to hear it. Hope he brings you much happiness in the future (and you him!)

 

[Vip]

So what do you guys recomend for a fighter that is 100% wimp, swims away from a amirror and all but i like him he is cool
i used to have another massive one in my 55g with a bunch of fish and also had 4 blue rams in there, but this guy used to frighten the rams when they came near, it used to be so funny seeing this fighter that was twice the size sending these cichlids swimming away!