Apparently He Scares Himself

[Larkspur]

It seems my new betta is stressed. He's in a 5.5 gallon (just got him today). His tank mates are 3 danios and a baby BN catfish (The BN is being moved once he begins to grow out of the tank) The danios did a little bit of chasing at first, but have for the most part grown bored of the betta.

I think he's scaring himself. I noticed when he went to the back of the tank he was flaring up at the glass. I was confused at first. I have a solid black background. Come to find out the light is bouncing off just right and there is a reflection under the heater he's been mulling over. Who'd have thought! I have no idea how to "cover" the area so he doesn't see himself. I figure once I take that stress away he may settle in a bit better. Not sure how to approach this though.

And as far as my water perimeters go...this is a year old tank. I change the water/vaccuum once a week and take out about 30%. Just did a water change yesterday. I also use salt in my tank. I didn't think to look up on bettas and salt so hopefully they can tolerate a small amount of it.

 

[woodstock]

I also use salt pretty often with bettas, they're fine with it. At least both of mine are anyway.
The flaring thing is sooooo common, especially when they have a reason to! Like seeing their reflection for a while. I would give it a few days to a week to subside. However, if he doesn't stop until then, bigger actions may need to happen. But it's pretty uncommon for a betta not to flare for at least a while in a new tank. Or at least I don't hear of a betta not flaring too often. Not sure on the tankmates, i think they're okay, but I have no experience with them. And congratulations on the new betta

 

[jmiller]

Light colored background will take care of the reflection issue.

 

[Larkspur]

Thanks!

Light color...not the answer I wanted. haha. I purposely added a solid black originally because it makes for better photos. Hmmm. However there is enough algae on the wall most of the wall is covered in a thing coat of green. It's under the heater near the gravel he sees himself. Apparently the light doesn't shine there therefore no algae growth.

This is the fish btw (before he saw himself...lol):

 

[woodstock]

If he doesn't stop flaring within a week, I would have to change the background, lol. And he's gorgeous

 

[Larkspur]

Well, I guess I have to do what I have to do. Plus my betta wasn't cheap. I can't believe I spent $15 on him. But...I wanted him soooo bad! Best make him happy.

 

[OneOnion]

Wow, beautiful, I would've definitely spent that $15. Nice job. A way you could fix the flaring is covering that particular spot or pretty much the whole back with long background plants. Corkscrew Vallis would be good for that.

 

[woodstock]

Honestly i would even pay $30 for him, hahahaha. My next one is definitely going to be a halfmoon, or similar. Good choice

 

[betta989]

WOW HE IS BEAUTIFUL i wish i had one like it.... Lucky










Betta989

 

[Larkspur]

Thanks! I've always bought cheap fish so it was just a surprise to me. I'm having a dilemma now though. His tank mates are a baby BN catfish and 3 pesky danios. Already removed my 2 tiger barbs into a container for the time being. It looks like the danios are going to have to be culled. I've had them a year now. Feel really guilty about...but I'm not sure what to do??? They're invincible and unfortunately are doing some fin nipping which is UNACCEPTABLE.

I have a 1 gallon bowl. Might spiff it up and throw them in. They used to live in a bowl before. I can't keep my tigers in a bowl forever though...might rehome them with a friend.

Would still like some fish in the tank with the betta. Would 2 platies be okay? I know platy fish are rather docile. Then my tank would pretty much be filled fish wise.

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

Thanks! I've always bought cheap fish so it was just a surprise to me. I'm having a dilemma now though. His tank mates are a baby BN catfish and 3 pesky danios. Already removed my 2 tiger barbs into a container for the time being. It looks like the danios are going to have to be culled. I've had them a year now. Feel really guilty about...but I'm not sure what to do??? They're invincible and unfortunately are doing some fin nipping which is UNACCEPTABLE.

Danios have a life span of about 7 years (or so I read on line) don't cull them; take them to a shop to re-sell at least

 

[GuppyGoddess]

Your betta may be flaring due to the other fish in the tank. I tried platies in my tank with my female betta (a 10-gallon tank) and woke up one morning to see a bit chunck of my betta's fin missing!

 

[Larkspur]

With a platy??? Oh wow. Hmmm...

I had no idea danios lived that long! I might try giving 2 of them back to PETCO. I noticed today the 3rd is rather boney and being beaten up by the other two. Makes me think he's approaching death for one reason or another. The tiger barbs may have been hogging all the food.

So what would make for my best options as far as tankmates go? I have had cories in the past. Love them to death. However, my water is supposedly naturally hard here and I can't seem to keep cories alive more than a month or two. Have had bettas in the past live fine. They always survived at least a year (but I was also keeping them in bowls and not planted tanks...and at the time wasn't very edumakated about them)

Would be a little happier with a fish that will swim around near the surface. My choices seem to be narrowing down though. I guess I could always /try/ platies and return them if they're troublesome.

 

[Honeythorn]

A 5.5 gallon is not big enough for platies,and not with a betta in there as well. The BN will also need a bigger tank soon enough.

A 5.5 gallon is great for the betta but really limits you for adding further tankmates. Not only do they take up space, they also significantly add waste to your filter and create more work.

You could try some micro rasboros, or 3-4 endlers but really I wouldn't bother.

One of the best tankmates for a tank that size with a betta that won't bog up your filter is shrimp. They're active little things, and produce almost no waste.

 

[Larkspur]

Thanks for the tips. I removed my danios earlier. Took them to work so they're going to be mascots at work. It seems to have helped my betta a lot. He's out exploring more. The danios probably had him spooked.

Have seen the shrimp before at PETCO. Might get a couple and hope they don't become snacks!

As far as the BN...he's staying until he gets uncomfortable. Right now he's only about 2 inches at the most long.