Betta Hiding....

[amyw2008]

Firstly, I cant test the water as I dont have any sort of testing kit until the fish shop opens tomorrow but my betta has started trying to hide behind the heater

He doesnt have any strange marks or anything that I can see wrong with him

He is in a 28ltr tank with 9 neon tetra (who have left him well alone since being added to tank)

Any ideas on what he could be doing?

 

[jasminekiddell]

Sounds normal to me, bettas find places they like to stay in. Like my betta used to be obsessed with the heater and filter he used to hide behind it , it didnt mean anything they just have areas they like.
Is he always there or is it just most of the time?
Im sure its nothing to worry about but keep an eye on it.

 

[amyw2008]

He hs just started doing it within the last hour but I have never noticed it before.
If he is touching the heater when it comes on will it hurt him? (burn him)

 

[loraxchick]

the boy might be stressed by all the new action the tetras are causing. i tried adding endlers to one of my boy's tanks and he sulked miserably. i had to rehome them.. it also isnt uncommon for bettas to LIKE spending time on top of the heater. a nice, warm resting spot.
secondarily, how long has the tank been set up. tetras like a mature tank. there might also be a mini spike in ammonia due to the recent intorduction of all those tetras. dont panic about the testing kit. instead, do a big waterchange and feed the fish very little every other day for a week or two until the filter catches up. keep up the waterchanges of around 40% every third day for a few weeks. try to take a sample just before a waterchange once a week and have tested at the lfs if you cant get your hands on a kit.
all the best.

 

[jasminekiddell]

Yep follow the advice off loraxchick. Bettas really prefer to be alone even though the tetras may be ok with the betta. No the betta will not get burnt the heats from inside and the material covering it is good & strong they like the warmth.
whats the temp of your tank?

 

[amyw2008]

Looks like I may be rehoming them then but it just seems ike an empty tank if I dont have anything else in there.

I had to set the tank up yesterday and move them straight over.... Not out of choice but it was either that or leave them in an unfiltered tank (due to filter packing up and it being cheaper to gt a new tank with filter included)

As its a undergravel filter I did put the mature media from the broken filter in th bottom with the gravel and moved all the water over so the only new bit is the glass around them really.

I will take some water to the LFS tomorrow and get it looked at again. I did take some when I bought the neons and they said it was "good quality" but I didnt ask for exact readings.

 

[jasminekiddell]

When you go for the readings make sure you get the excact numbers for nitrATE, nitrITE, Ammonia and ph if possible.

 

[amyw2008]

Will do
Any ideas how much they chage for a test?
They did my last one free as I was complaining about something or other that they didnt have that I wanted

 

[loraxchick]

to answer some questions:
if the lfs is charging you for water testing i suggest finding a new place to get your fish. it should be free. if not it is clear indication that they only want your money and will tell you anything to get you to buy their livestock (ie., the tetras are a good strain").
secondly, 28 ltr is about 7 gal. those neons would need a MUCH bigger swimming room to live happily. id ask for an exchange for something else. a few pygmy cories, two or three apple snails, some shrimp, or an african DWARF frog (one with fingers on his front feet, not webbing) would be good choices for a smaller tank if you wanted some tankmates. also some galaxy raspboras or micro raspboras. i have a 6 gal very heavily planted tank with a betta, two cories (peppered and C. sodalis), two otos and a BUNCH of snails. stats fine for months and months. bettas seem less bothered by bottom dwellers ime.
you might also try a few (no more than 4) endlers in with him, although my betta did NOT like them when i tried that and acted much like your boy is acting. became very reclusive as if they were too much commotion.
as your betta is hiding and not trying to chase the tetras all over the place, i would bet that he is a more mellow fella. tankmates should be ok for him but watch closely upon introduction. but the neons, im afraid, are probably not a good choice. id suggest looking into some bottom dwellers like pygmy cories and some apple snails( which are really fun to watch!)
all the best!

 

[amyw2008]

Thanks
I have been to a few LFS's who charge £5 per water test so its about £20 to get results for all the things you need to know

Aprox how many guppys could I keep in a 28ltr tank?
I have just advertised the Betta and neons on here in hope that I could start a breeding tank

 

[loraxchick]

that is terrible that they charge you for testing in the long run it would be cheaper to save your money and buy a kit yourself.
all the best

 

[jasminekiddell]

Think, whats more improtant to you the betta or the tetras?
One way or another you have to get rid of one and seen as the tetras dont have enough room anyway then why not them.
The tank may be boring with just a betta but think how happy your betta feels on its own.
Ok, Personally i would never keep anything with my betta hes far to happy on his own and i know bettas can go in community tank and all goes well but i just think there alright on their own.
Having other fish in the tank may make the betta feel insecure and uncomfortable but at the end of the day this is just my opinion.
But maybe a few of the thigns loraxchick listed for the tank may be alright i mean its all of personal choice but im happier with myt ank just for my betta. I may introduce an apple snail but im unsure.

 

[loraxchick]

snails are a great choice for even the pickiest betta. pretty much protected and very interesting to watch. id say give it a go. a little nipping in the beginning is fine as the betta rules them out as rivals.
cheers

 

[jasminekiddell]

I have 3 apple snails in my codlwater tank. I might put one into the betta tank but is a 21litre big enough?