How Do You Know Whether They're Sulking Or Sick?

[wendyngd]

I see that these little guys are sensitive and moody--but is there any way to tell if he's just emotionally upset--as opposed to physically ill?? BTW, my little betta boy seems to be just fine now--after a few days of betafix and lots of love and care!! He's eating and flashing and building a bubble fort and "meeting" my nose with his through the glass of the bowl...

Warm regards to all,
Wendy

 

[Jaded12]

Sometimes its really hard to tell, but more times then not a sick betta will show some other sign besides sulking, i.e. fuzz, raised scales, missing fins, red streaking, trouble swimming, etc. A betta thats just in a bad sulky mood will usually snap out of it when what ever upset them goes away, or they get used to the new situation.

 

[zoekin8yg]

Sometimes they will get their horizontal stripes and stay that way. Not always though its not always a sign they are ill, more often its stress and males don't stress as easily as the girls.