My betta has turned pyscho...

[KittenAndHerFish]

Hi,

I have a male betta in the tank with my mollies. He has always done spendidly well with them up until recently. I put a new female molly in the tank and he has gone insane. He immediately went to attacking her. Now is he alternating between making a bubble nest (which he has never done before) and attacking ALL the other mollies as well. The old mollies in the tank are black and whites mixtures; this new one is yellow-orange and white. Could it be the color of her that has wigged him out? Does he think she is a female betta (she is a fancy molly)? Will he stop this behavior?

If he does not stop this I will be forced to purchase a new tank and put him into it.

Any advice?

Kitten

 

[Nekukurai]

It's possibly that he's attracted to the new molly, seeming as he's building a bubble nest. But once a tank is established with certain fish, they fall into a sort of peaceful agreement not to damage each other; then a new one comes along and screws things all up! So that may be reason #2. I would watch them carefully over the next few days. If there are any severe injuries, remove Mr. Betta. If he doesn't stop his behavior within a few days, remove Mr. Betta.

 

[black angel]

bettas arent really keen on anything thats brightly coloured in the tank. does the molly have longer flowing fins? maybe the betta thinks its a female and is trying to court her, and hes become aggressive because he thinks his lucks in?

 

[Dane]

I aggree with the two above. The funny thing is, there is a bright burnt orange/red molly in my community tank with a male betta, and he leaves her be.. it's gotta be the fins.