I Have A Weird Betta.

[lisie]

I rescued my betta, Simba, a couple months ago from a pet store along with three other boys. I had to keep them all in gallon-sized tanks for about the first month until I could get them all in bigger tanks. During this time, all four of their tails grew back really well, especially Simba's. When I moved the four guys into bigger tanks (Simba went into a 3 gallon ecplise tank without the filter), the other three loved it... Simba, on the other hand, bit off half his tail (all the regrowth and then some) and spent pretty much the entire day pacing back and forth by the side of the tank nearest to me. I figured that he probably just got freaked out by another betta whose tank was only a few inches from his, and so I put up paper there so he couldn't see him anymore. (I didn't have one before because they both pretty much completely ignored each other.) I gave that some time, but he paced and kept his tail trimmed down as far as he could reach still... I put more plants in so he felt more "cozy" but still no change. He didn't blow one bubblenest the whole time he was in there (he was a big bubblenester beforehand). Finally, I went out and bought him a 1 gallon kritter keeper just like the one I had him in when I first got him. I moved him in last night... and guess what? No more pacing... and a bubblenest! It's pretty big now, and he's still working on it. Hopefully he'll let that tail grow back too... it used to be so pretty.

I've heard of people having "claustrophilic" bettas, but never had one myself!

 

[Himmel]

lol thats cute , he likes to be in less water lol well I would spoil him with this and just give in lol good luck

 

[RandomWiktor]

I've had a few that behaved that way when going from the cup in the store to a 5g. I now have what I refer to as "transition tanks" to acclimate them to larger amounts of water. If they can handle 2.5g ok, they'll spend a couple of weeks (also the quarentene period) in a 2.5g tank. Then, they're moved into a five. However, I've had a few who I needed to start at one gallon, increasing the volume by a gallon every couple of weeks, until they were calm and secure in a 5g. I guess some boys just don't like change!

 

[lisie]

I guess not! Not even after being in there a month did he take to it any better. I didn't think 2 gallons would have made much of a difference, or I would have tried working up to there a little at a time. I don't even think I'm going to bother trying that now though, I can tell he's so much happier in one gallon... little goofball.

 

[lisa_perry75]

I have heard that some bettas feel more secure in smaller tanks because it's less area to patrol... Or something like that! hehe

 

[SPLiSH]

I have heard that some bettas feel more secure in smaller tanks because it's less area to patrol... Or something like that! hehe

Yep, I have had bettas like that, their logic seems to be that the more room in the tank, the more room for an 'intruder' to infiltrate. I guess in their natural habitat, when they are in open spaces, the more room they have, the more other bettas want it. So they get stressed out patrolling it.

Whatever makes him happy....

 

[-Deano-]

Great Betta, Nice To See He's Happy Again