New Betta- New Owner

[keith565]

Don't expect one betta to act like the next, that are all very individual....So don't worry too much if this Betta is NOTHING like your last .... But most do get to know there owner and do like to put on a show for them.....But keeping an eye on your water quality is always a good idea, and giving your Betta a little tank decor should help as well.... They do like to lay on/under stuff.... I (aka my betta) also love the frozen bloodworm, but as you have a unfiltered tank be careful about overfeeding, bloodworm will turn your water bad very quickly... And yes you can buy it at any big pet store chain.... Best of luck with the new fish....

WHAT ARE YOU GUYS ON, 'HAPPY BETTA DANCE', 'SETTLING IN', 'PLEASED TO SEE YOU', 'PUTTING ON A SHOW'.KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR ANY UNUSUAL BEHAVIOUR!!!!!!
A FISH HEAD BUTTING THE GRAVEL AND DIVING UP AND DOWN IS NOT NORMAL BEHAVIOUR, FOR ANY FISH. C'MON. PROBABLE CAUSE IS WATER PROBLEMS OR DISEASE. THIS NEEDS SORTING BEFORE THIS POOR FISH CAUSES SERIOUS DAMAGE TO ITSELF OR WORSE.

 

[mantis147]

Have you treated the water before adding to the tank eg chlorine remover or stress coat? I use API Stresscoat in my betta tanks and dont get any problems. Just a Thought!

 

[Spudgun]

Don't expect one betta to act like the next, that are all very individual....So don't worry too much if this Betta is NOTHING like your last .... But most do get to know there owner and do like to put on a show for them.....But keeping an eye on your water quality is always a good idea, and giving your Betta a little tank decor should help as well.... They do like to lay on/under stuff.... I (aka my betta) also love the frozen bloodworm, but as you have a unfiltered tank be careful about overfeeding, bloodworm will turn your water bad very quickly... And yes you can buy it at any big pet store chain.... Best of luck with the new fish....

WHAT ARE YOU GUYS ON, 'HAPPY BETTA DANCE', 'SETTLING IN', 'PLEASED TO SEE YOU', 'PUTTING ON A SHOW'.KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR ANY UNUSUAL BEHAVIOUR!!!!!!
A FISH HEAD BUTTING THE GRAVEL AND DIVING UP AND DOWN IS NOT NORMAL BEHAVIOUR, FOR ANY FISH. C'MON. PROBABLE CAUSE IS WATER PROBLEMS OR DISEASE. THIS NEEDS SORTING BEFORE THIS POOR FISH CAUSES SERIOUS DAMAGE TO ITSELF OR WORSE.

I would have to agree wholeheartedly with Keith here.

This sounds very much more serious, and i would plant a guess at either incoming whitespot, velvet or chlorine poisoning. Coming from W*nkMart, nothing would surprise me. I've seen them fill cups from a tap before & chuck fish in.

Treat him with a half dose of ContraSpot or something similar as a precautionary measure. Watch like a hawk for either slimey patches on his body looking like fine dust or tiny white salt-like specks. Both Whitespot & Velvet diseases are protozoans so if it is any of those two anything with Methylene Blue as the major ingredient would see to them. Each protozoan is only vulnerable in it's free swimming form which only happens in 10 day cycles, so it's imperetive to catch it quick before they all become protected by the cyst-like wall they create once attached.

 

[Amerce]

First things first get a test kit, check the water parameters etc. It could be that you are having a nitrate spike especially if the tank is still going through a maturation period.

Take the betta out and put him into a container with some clean treated water and check the tank water.

If there are no obvious signs of white spot leave it for a bit, but it does sound as though he is in distress rather than simply getting used to the new home.

Good luck and hope that it is nothing too serious

 

[matty101]

Thank you keith! Finally some1 got my message through. I didn't want to ranted o nas I always do so I was waiting for that person who would take my place Keith is absolutely right. If it was settling in, he would be exploring and maybe a little listless, not butting head on gravel or going up and down the tank. If he was stressed, he'd be in the bottom, not moving or top not moving. Check your water and make sure water current is kept to a minimum. did you cycle the tank or is it cycling or has it cycled?

 

[stfbmd]

Wow. Thank you all for the help you have provided, especially those of you who remain positive (tokis, zoe, kyrielle, jollysue, summer, mantic, amerce). As for Oob, I did cycle out half of the water last night. This weekend I intend to get the water testing kit, etc. He still seems to be active, but mostly when I'm nearby and the light is on. He seems to go thru phases of being active, and phases of being very calm. No change in his appearance, outside of his coloring seems to be a bit brighter now that he's not confined in a little plastic cup. And he isn't head-butting the gravel- he just moves some around a little with his head (the area below his mouth)

For those of you who more berated than advised, I appreciate your input, but I'd also like to say there's no need to make someone feel stupid when they ask a question. I'm glad for the responses, but if you are only posting because you want the rest of the world to know that you're a smarty-pants about your betta, no thanks. Considering there is a supposed common theme of being fish-lovers, I'd like to know- where's the love and respect?

I'll keep you posted if anything changes, but I'll take the information a few of you have given and see what I can find out. Thanks!

 

[jollysue]

Most lfs will test the water if you take it in.

And my boys do very much wiggle, swim to the top, swim to the bottom, and in general do what is known as the "Betta Dance." That dance is done when flirting with the girl next door and when in sight of the food god. I have had them do the Betta Dance in their cup at the lfs. I usually chose the Betta Dancers, Flarers, and Bubblemakers when I buy a VT. If your Bettas are not dancing for you...I would check your water stats

 

[stfbmd]

LOL Thanks- We also figured out what else was making him swim around so much- because of the angle of the light above him he was trying to fight with the reflection of himself. I'm going to get a new tank this weekend so I can be sure he's completely at ease. Thanks again to all- and if I can find a way to get a picture, I'll post it. He is pretty- fades from pink at his nose to royal blue at his tailfin tips with all kinds of purples, pinks and blues in between- he kinda looks like a sunset.
And I double checked- no white spots, no slimy spots.

 

[mantis147]

Wow. Thank you all for the help you have provided, especially those of you who remain positive (tokis, zoe, kyrielle, jollysue, summer, mantic, amerce). As for Oob, I did cycle out half of the water last night. This weekend I intend to get the water testing kit, etc. He still seems to be active, but mostly when I'm nearby and the light is on. He seems to go thru phases of being active, and phases of being very calm. No change in his appearance, outside of his coloring seems to be a bit brighter now that he's not confined in a little plastic cup. And he isn't head-butting the gravel- he just moves some around a little with his head (the area below his mouth)

For those of you who more berated than advised, I appreciate your input, but I'd also like to say there's no need to make someone feel stupid when they ask a question. I'm glad for the responses, but if you are only posting because you want the rest of the world to know that you're a smarty-pants about your betta, no thanks. Considering there is a supposed common theme of being fish-lovers, I'd like to know- where's the love and respect?

There is nothing worse than getting "comments" rather than help Glad to see hes looking better!

 

[stfbmd]

Update:
Got Oob a new tank- 2.5 gallon w/ a whisper filter and a light in the top (MiniBow 2.5 aquarium kit). I have pebbles on the bottom and one plant full grown and 2 plants that should grow within the next 30-60 days, as well as a treasure chest with holes for him to swim into and hang out inside (so far he hasn't hung out in there, he's been hanging out in his plant). He's eating well, his colors are brighter, and when I feed him his 5 pellets twice a day, he hangs out at the top and lets me 'pet' his fins. I'm getting a thermometer for the water in the next day and I have a small heater to mount in the tank once I get the thermometer. He's made a bubble nest that runs behind the filter and from corner to corner on the side of the tank.
All seems well, but I wanted to ask those of you who have helped, how often do I need to change the water with a filter system installed? Also, when I turn on the light above him he flares constantly at, I think, his reflection. Anyone know if he'll grow out of this if I keep the light on for a while? I just don't want him to burn himself out by flaring all the time. (In the meantime I leave the bedroom light on for about 7 hrs during the day and about 3 hours at night.)
Thank you for your help in advance!

 

[stfbmd]

Bump- not sure if anyone could answer my question about the flaring. I checked some FAQ sites and it looks like I should do a 50% water change once a week. Does this sound right? Thanks!

Oh, I thought about getting a ghostshimp as well- is this too much for a 2.5 gallon tank? Thanks!

 

[black angel]

Your live plants will need direct light from the tank so keep it on for around 6 hours a day. For the flaring, its hard to say what to do.
Get a test kit for at least ammonia and nitrites as you will need to cycle the filter.
Test the water every other day or so and around 50% each week should be fine.

 

[stfbmd]

Your live plants will need direct light from the tank so keep it on for around 6 hours a day. For the flaring, its hard to say what to do.
Get a test kit for at least ammonia and nitrites as you will need to cycle the filter.
Test the water every other day or so and around 50% each week should be fine.

Thank you- I'll get a test kit tonight and I'm changing water today (it's been 6 days). I'm also gonna try the current reducing tips from the FAQ thread (wow is that thread helpful!). Any suggestions on how to save at least some of the bubble nest when I do my change?

Turned on the light and he's just flaring away- I'll give it a test run and if he's still flaring at the end of 6 hours, I'll see if I can find an alternative. I'm also gonna check and see if I can get a ghostshrimp this weekend. Whew- I have a shopping list! B) Anything to keep my new boy happy and healthy!

 

[jollysue]

Sorry we'all missed your post. I was managing to get myself in trouble with inappropriate responses to the wrong people or misunderstood posts.

I'm glad Oob is doing well. At least he is not bored or depressed.

I think I would make sure he can hide from his reflection when he is tired or gets scared. When he wants to rest, if he has a spot, he will, and he will get used to his reflection after a while probably. Maybe make a spot with the plants and decor that is a very secluded hidey spot, where he cannot see his reflection and can retreat from the glare of the light.

Check to see if the light is incandescent or flourescent. If it is incandescent, get a flourescent aquarium bulb. It will cost at first, but it will last longer, not burn as hot, and will cost less in the long run. I like the 50 /50's and the Daylight. One is pinkish in hue the other is bluish. Don't remember which is which. haha You will be glad you changed it. It may make a bit less glare too.

As black angel said, until the tank is well cycled, do water changes more often. Doing the water tests every other day should keep you on top of it. I'm not really sure how long it takes to cycle a small, one fish tank, but I would test the water that way for several weeks. (I started a new tank awhile back and did not keep testing long enough. I lost 4 badis badis and a large flock of harlequins, which then started a crash in a Corey tank when I moved them. sigh....)

 

[stfbmd]

All is well in Oob's land- I have a new plant growing and he has made himself a hidey-hole in the already full grown plant. He still hasn't used the chest yet, but I think that may be a current issue and I have plans on what might fix that. I have noticed he doesn't flare quite as much- I think he figured out it was just him instead of another fish.
I'm also thinking of looking for a bigger tank to cut down on the current. But, all in good time.
Thank you all again for the help you have given, you've made me much more confident in how to care for my new boy! Kudos!