Hyper Aggressive Betta?

[Mr Melt]

Hi guys. I've had Caesar (my male Betta Splendens) for a few weeks now. Hes been in the tank with 2 platies for a week or so now, with absolutely no problems (he would rarely start to swim at one of the fish but they would scarper and he would give up). But now, since adding 2 endlers livebearers he has gone completely berserk; chasing the both of them (I've never seen him move so fast before). Not only that but he has began swimming after one of my platies, harassing him as much as the 2 endlers =/

Its completely unexpected and disturbing; whys he suddenly starting chasing after his tankmates?

Tanks a 50ltr Fishbox. 0.5ppm ammonia (due to tapwater, cant help it), 0 nitrite and 10-15 nitrate

I tried feeding them in the hopes of distracting my betta and he isnt attacking them at every chance he gets, but as of 2 hours into the tank he will still periodically attack the poor endlers (and my poor aforementioned platy).

Any ideas people? I was considering trying some fish tonic to chill them out, but I dunno =/

 

[fluttermoth]

I'm afraid you have no option but to remove the Endler's. Bettas aren't the brightest fish in the world and he thinks that they're other bettas, same as if you were to put guppies in there.

 

[marieukxx]

Bettas are terrtorial. Try rearranging the tank. My female was flaring and going for some new fish I put in. They usually will if the fish are added after they are established in the tank.

 

[Mr Melt]

Bettas are terrtorial. Try rearranging the tank. My female was flaring and going for some new fish I put in. They usually will if the fish are added after they are established in the tank.

I'll try this method 1st. If it fails then I'll rehome the poor endlers =/

 

[marieukxx]

How long has he been in with the endlers? I added two killifish and my betta chased and flared for the day then settled down. They do say though that rearranging the tank does help.

 

[Mr Melt]

How long has he been in with the endlers? I added two killifish and my betta chased and flared for the day then settled down. They do say though that rearranging the tank does help.

Been in for 2 hours now. Just rearranged the plants at the back and moved my boat ornament back a bit then re-introduced him. I'll keep you updated; fingers crossed he settles down =(

 

[marieukxx]

Oh well give it time. My female Betta was flaring and chasing my killifish all day before she calmed now and now they are fine. She'd previously been in with cardinal tetra and platys. He will probably calm down. But changing things around does help.

 

[fluttermoth]

Male bettas are far, far more aggressive than the females though.

 

[LadyRiv.]

i have my betta in a 32l tank with 4 endlers, when i first introduced the endlers, the betta flared and chased them, after a day i took the endlers out and into the community tank, about a week/2 weeks later, i took the betta out of the tank, re-arranged the tank and replaced the plants. i put the endlers in and after an hour i added the betta. since then he's perfectly fine with the endlers, flared at them once when i put him in but settled nicely with them. the only time he chases the endlers a lil is when they're swimming into "his" cave.

good luck

 

[Mr Melt]

Update - as of 1.21am (GMT) I think its been about 2 hours since rearranging the tank (only repotted my pondweed and mixed up some of the java ferns; dozy fish lol).

Caesar's been swimming in and around the tank and he hasnt touched the Endlers. They're finally acting normal; although they're sticking together and hanging about my Red Platy (Fred) a bit. Maybe the re-arrangement worked? I'll keep you updated =)

 

[Mr Melt]

Ok now this has got f@!?ing ridiculous here. My red platy now has what looks like a bite mark on his head (a shiny mouth shaped ring that fits the size of either the betta or other platy).

Not only that but I've noticed that my blue platy has suddenly just started swimming after and chasing my red platy. What the hell? Has someone dropped some LSD into the bloody tank or something? Why is this happening? Since those 2 have been together its been smooth sailing up until now.

PS - checking the betta at the moment; hes sometimes swimming after the red platy, but stops after a second or 2. Both the new endlers are being fully ignored. Oh the irony ¬_¬

PPS - after 10 minutes of writing this I've been checking the fish beside me. Both platies are staying on opposite ends of the tank, but theres no more chasing going on at present.

But aye, what gives? Does water quality affect aggression?

 

[LoriF]

I had a nice little tank going with three guppies, six neon tetras and a betta. The betta was added last. They all got along for a good two years (well I did lose a guppy and he was replaced by another one) Anyway, they all got along. Recently I lost my Betta and shortly after I purchase a new one and he hates everyone including himself in the reflection on the glass. He chased everybody and wouldn't rest at all. I looked in there one day to find that one of the neons had a huge bite out of it's belly and he didn't make it. I purchased a 75 gallon aquarium and put the neon tetras in there and they are so happy with that huge space to swim. The three guppies went to my friends tank. The neons have some new friends to school with and the 75 is waiting for some angelfish and dwarf cichlids. For Mr. B, well he is all by himself and I'm hoping to find someone to keep him company that he won't beat up.

 

[marieukxx]

How are they all getting along now?

 

[Mr Melt]

I put another plant in the tank (pondweed) and did a small water change and also added ammonia remover. The 2 platies are fine again, and my red ones bite mark has disappeared. The endlers are starting to spread out and Caesar (the betta) is prowling about, seemingly minding his own business. Cant see anything out of the ordinary at the minute.

 

[marieukxx]

That's good then.