Scaredy-cat Betta

[Rediahs]

This is a minor nuissance, but I was wondering a few things. My betta is a typical blue veiltail petshop type. I chose him because he was the most active, looked healthy, and pretty.

My betta seems to be a real scaredy cat! I first noticed this when I tried to scoop him into a cup for a water change and no matter what I did, he wouldn't go! Slow motions and fast motions don't work, and he winds up hiding in his rock cave. I had to actually remove the rock cave to scoop him up, and even then it was hard - he swims around frantically trying to avoid being scooped!

Another thing is, unless he's quite confident that he's about to be fed, my hand overtop the bowl always seems to scare him unless it's holding food. If I open the lid and hang out overtop, he quickly retreats and swims down to the bottom and away from me. That being said, he does like to watch me, and seems to enjoy my company - from a distance, and with no sudden movements.

The last thing is, if I move anything around outside his bowl he gets very scared and retreats to the other side of the bowl or to his cave. If I move it very slowly, he might come to see what's up, but even regular movement near the bowl sends him flying.


Now I'm wondering... I've got a few theories but I don't know which one's right.

1) This is a natural disposition of bettas
2) He's scared, hasn't yet adjusted to his home. He's been here a week and a half.
3) Some bettas are just like this. Varying personalities.
4) You have to train him to not be scared - get him used to the cup and get him used to the movements.
5) Any other reasons?


Any help with this?

It's very minor but there's so little to do for my betta other than keep his water clean and feed him, I'm wondering if there's a way to get him better adjusted and I'm wondering how normal he is.

 

[Joby]

I have a couple who are like this, I think its just their nature like some people are shy.

As long as he has somewhere to go and chill out and "hide" from the big bad world when he wants to then thats fine. He has his cave so which he obviously feels secure in.

Is it possible to filter his tank so you don't have to do frequent water changes and cup him out? Mine are all in filtered tanks and so only have a 25% water change once a week and they stay in the tank for these so no chasing round required

 

[sukie]

This is what I always thought if I purchased a betta fr the store - they tend to get freaked out because you've gotta imagine how many ppl come over pick that lil' cup up, move it around, etc. It's like a major earthquake to them.

I rescue a betta and he was in the worse shape ever! He was so freaked! Everything I would even come close to the tank he went straight down to hide. I noticed that after I feed him & moved away he was still cautious on coming up to the surface for food.

After a couple weeks (close to a month) he started trusting me and knew that I wasn't going to rattle his cage.

It takes time - but eventually he'll settle in and get use to you.

P.S. Here's a pic of him when I got him
Before

 

[jollysue]

Aww, poor but lucky fellow.

I agree with sukie. Gentle Train him. Become a Horse Whisperer. I imagine some fish will never relax--bad nervous system. But most fish will come to trust you. Betta definately.

I have a pepper Cory. He got a fungal infection on his dorsal, from columnaris--a deadly desease. His dorsal fin looked like a Q-Tip. Poor thing. With encouragement and instruction from Inchworm in the Coradoras forum, I got him out of the big tank and into an Eclipse 3 and began a treatment of daily doses of MelaFix and PimaFix, plus frequent salt dip baths daily. It was a strong salt solution for a Cory who can die easily from salt. Netting for a Cory is hard because their fins will stick in the net when they are scared. I started catching and cupping him with my hand.

Sometimes he would keel over and stop breathing in the salt bath. Once he went out completely. The fungus had stopped but not receded. I gave him one really strong bath--do or die. I got him out when he keeled over, but he wasn't reviving. I took him in my palm and moved him in an upright position through the water talking to him and of course begging for mercy. He came around a little. I let him sit on the bottom near the bubble wand. Every once in awhile he would lean over again and I would put him upright and talk to him.

After that he would come into the palm of my hand for his treatments. I named him: Rocky Balboa.

He recovered, the fungus went away, and the dorsal fell off as it was just bare cartiledge.

Sometimes I see him encourage his friend not to be afraid of me. I finally found and got a school of peppers. I only had two before.

Here is Rocky and his friends.

Well sorry, Chrissi, I seem to be following you around with long inspirational stories. I'll quit.

The moral: Be a Horse Whisper. Talk to the Animals.

 

[Rediahs]

Thanks guys... I figured one way to get him used to the cup is to leave it sitting in there when I'm not using. He actually swims in and out of it now sometimes! I caught him resting in there maybe he'll get used to it. At least maybe i can pull the cup out while he's inside sometime! I'm sure that'll work better than chasing him around the bowl.

Maybe my betta is just shy, but I noticed something today! I accidentally left my betta a bit too close to my laptop and his water heated up to a mighty 84 degrees! At first i was thinking, ack, is he okay? But upon further inspection... I noticed... he seemed to be enjoying himself! He's incredibly active, swimming all over the place, and he doesn't seem scared of me right now! He even allowed me to pull the thermometor out with him swimming right along side it! He usually runs and hides when I try to check the temperature. But he just ignored it and kinda shimmied around! It's really cute. I think since he's doing so well I ought to get him to flare into a mirror for a little bit. It might do him some good.

Oh and his bowl is normally at 80 degrees. 84 is pretty warm! Is this normal? I thought 80 was about the optimum temperature, but he seems VERY happy at 84, though I don't know if I'm misinterpreting his boldness and spurt of activity. Could he actually be agitated? Isn't 84 a bit warm for their liking? Or do bettas often enjoy this temperature?

 

[jollysue]

This was a quick scan before I leave for work, but fish swim actively and a bit frantically when they are trying to cool off, although I doubt 84 will kill him, greatly fluctuating temps is an immune reducer.

 

[Rediahs]

Ahhh I see. He was probably warm. I'm going to be more careful not to keep him too close to the back of the laptop It works well as a heater for his bowl, as long as I watch the temperature and increase the distance when it starts to get warmer.

My poor fish has had to deal with a lot of fluctuating temperatures but he's not sick or anything, so yay! I brought him to my parents' house, and well, that was quite a ride for him, but ever since I got back the temperature's been between 80-82 until now. It's back down to 82 now so it's okay. And he doesn't seem too bothered. He's acting just as normal now. Still exploring his bowl but now he has a cup to play with! I think he's a bit more used to it now, though he doesn't seem any less scared of sudden movements in general. But he is used to the thermometor, for some reason. I guess since it's always there and hasn't done anything to him.

 

[jollysue]

I think Betta like it warmish. I generally keep all my tanks between 72 and 79. Because I have so many they tend to warm up my place and get it damp. If I keep everyone at 75 they all seem agreeable and my apartment stays livable. In the summer I may even lower the tanks to closer to 72 because the outside temps can get 110 and more for weeks.

The tropical fish can do 85 but that is usually used to treat certain fish illnesses like ich. Fish are cold blooded, so they speed up in warm water and slow down in cold.

You and your fish will be pals soon enough. He's a Betta. He'll appreciate all you do for him.

 

[sukie]

This might be totally dumb question and I'm going to risk looking like a dummy. . .

But do you think heat has anything to do w/ growth rate??

 

[CatLover]

But do you think heat has anything to do w/ growth rate??

I would say yes. Bettas like the water pretty warm (low 80s) and it also reduces the chances of them getting sick with diseases, and pnumonia. When betta fry are growing up, or any young creature for that matter, all factors of their environment should be considered to help them reach their full potential. Temperature is a big factor. If it's colder than normal, they become uncomfortable and become much more prone to illness, which, if not looked after, could lead to death. The smallest illness can become fatal if completely neglected.

Chrissi - I would say 84 degrees is just fine for your betta, especially since he seemed happy with that.
I wouldn't call him a scaredy cat just because he runs from your hand and net. You would run too if you were him! Instead of chasing him with the net, just hold it in the tank, and let him get used to it. All of my bettas are pet store bettas, and after they settle in really well, they usually just stay in one place so you can gently put the net around them. Of course with the newer bettas, every once in a while they spaz out and try to avoid the net, but I don't blame them. And for your hand, hang out at the top of the tank more often. He won't get used to you if you don't. When he starts getting better and less scared, give him treats. Over time I know you and your betta will get used to each other, it just takes time.

 

[Rediahs]

Thanks for the encouraging words.

I just put my finger in the water and guess what? First he backed off slowly, as though he was scared... then... he flared at me! Well, it's a start.

 

[jollysue]

Thanks, CatLover. We are told though that it is fine to keep Betta at room temp. Most people don't live at 84 degrees. The ideal range is I thought 77-80 but 70-85 is acceptable.