Stressed Fish

[cpageplay]

I just wanted to thank you guys for all the wonderful advice.  I no longer come home and walk to my tank and worry I have killed a fish.  Both my fish seem to be doing ok, even though I believe they would be happier in a more natural habitat, at least they are in a home that really cares about them.  Although after these pass, I'm not sure if I will get more? It seems to me I don't have time to pay attention to them with a young child who takes every minute of my life.  I mean you cant pet a fish, or play with a fish to show you care about their well being.  And when I do approach the tank, my betta swims down and hides as if hes saying, " please don't let this human kill me, and will she ever figure out what I really like to eat"? But I am so less stressed, and its because of you guys.

  

They are a pretty special fish and intelligent too, they remind me of a cross between a dog and a cat, because they can be aloof but also usually openly begging for food.

  

I think Baccus has nailed it. Sharpen up the pic and that looks like it- right down to the slight blush at the gills and the sort of lyre shaped tail.

  

Yes it is. My oscar was so stressed when he lost his tankmate he ended up with HITH, I was really shocked because his diet hadnt changed and his water was as clean as ever but he got mild HITH which I put down to stress, he cheered up when I added another fish and the HITH went again.

  

Can we a see a pic of the mystery fish?

  

Can we a see a pic of the mystery fish?

ditto ... you've spiked my curiousity

  

Would also love to see a picture, I'm sure someone on here can ID it for you.
I'm really sorry you seem to have come across some rude people, this forum isn't like that, at least not from what I've seen.
 
It may be worth it to you to look at craigslist for used tanks, can save you some money. Petco also has 1$ per gallon sales sometimes. Of course you want to get everything figured out in this tank first

  

Rectangular, long tanks are really nice tanks. They have a lot of surface for oxygenation of the water, more than a tall tank (the water surface is like the lungs of the tank), and the length of the tank is great for most fish since they love swimming. Tetras and rasboras, danios, they all would love a long tank. 
 
Tall tanks are good for big bodied fish, like angel fish for example.
 
Betta Splendens can get tired "patrolling" a long tank, especially if they have large finnage. They also may find it tiring in a tall tank having to swim up to the surface to breathe surface air, especially as they get older and less energetic, or if they are sick.
 
Once you know what kind of fish you'd like to keep you will know what kind of tank you will need!

 

[Ninjouzata]

I just wanted to thank you guys for all the wonderful advice.  I no longer come home and walk to my tank and worry I have killed a fish.  Both my fish seem to be doing ok, even though I believe they would be happier in a more natural habitat, at least they are in a home that really cares about them.  Although after these pass, I'm not sure if I will get more? It seems to me I don't have time to pay attention to them with a young child who takes every minute of my life.  I mean you cant pet a fish, or play with a fish to show you care about their well being.  And when I do approach the tank, my betta swims down and hides as if hes saying, " please don't let this human kill me, and will she ever figure out what I really like to eat"? But I am so less stressed, and its because of you guys.

Were you quoting to alert everyone? Hope that doesn't sound rude, I am just genuinely curious.
I can't think of another reason for it. I'm so glad that you're no longer overly stressed!

 

[tunagirll]

He's probably just one of those bettas that are a little bit shy

I really love them, they are great fish. One of the things that I really enjoy about having a fish tank is making it look beautiful - I decorated mine with wood and plants to make a pretty scene with my betta. The plants were an even bigger learning curve than learning how to look after fish, but rewarding and very soothing to stop and maintain every so often. If you think you might like to try it, this is the forum for you!
 
Here's my 25 litre setup - I'm a relative beginner so if I can do it anyone can

 

[cpageplay]

I would probably agree with you about my betta being shy, but when I first rescued him he was so outgoing, even let me try to pet him, but since I did a water change, he's so stresses.  When I approach the tank he runs and hides.  Totally different from when he first came.  He used to follow my finger and now he hides from me I know they don't like a lot of light and filter rush, I've put the light way less now, but he's not the same.  Wish I knew what was bothering him, hes such a beautiful fish, and so graceful.  Betta's I believe are my favorite fish in captivity.  But I think I have made this one nervous, and he doesn't trust me.  Anyhow, I think he is so beautiful and even though their life expectancy is not as long as others, it is a fish I would consider having again.  Especially since the media make the public believe they are happy in a tiny bowl.  I believe they are the most abused fish in captivity, and it is a shame.

 

[Meeresstille]

Are you often beside your Betta tank? If you have a chair near it, sit as often as you can beside the tank just to get him used to a human form being near him, as well as the activity and movement.
 
When you feed, do you always feed in the same corner of the tank? I find my Betta-girl will always first swim to the corner where she gets fed, whenever someone sits down next to the tank. Your Betta may just need to get conditioned that having a human near is a good thing. 
 
Someone in my area once advertised a vase for flowers as a perfect Betta habitat on an online second-hand site. I contacted them to tell them about the needs of a Betta and that it would actually be very cruel to keep a Betta like that (among other reasons we have long and cold Winters here) and the answer I got back was pleasant enough, but they put the responsibility on the buyer. 

 

[cpageplay]

I do work beside my betta, which is about 4-6 hours a day.  When I have the light on he is always hiding. so I keep it off most of the time and he does hang on my leaf I bought him and he straddles the heater, which I find hilarious.  But as soon as I approach the tank, he runs and hides like I'm some kind of fish torturer.  I wouldn't be concerned, but he didn't do that when I first got him.  I hate that he is scared of me And yes I do feed them in the same spot with a feeding ring, just so I know if I'm feeding to much food, and like to dig it out if not eaten.  I love my betta and would do anything to make him feel more comfortable.