My New Fighter

[mrshunt90]

He just sits on the top of the thick plants (real) hes not swimming much or anything. Do you think he is ok? I only got him 2day He has a 20L tank woith some real plants and two ornements he can hide in. He also has a filter and a heater. I cant turn the filter down but its an underwater (stick in inside) type Could it be that he is just shy because its all new? Also He was being nipped by the other fish when we got him (the main reason I chose him and not the other fighter)

 

[mattyeatsmatts]

Did you fully cycle the tank? Have you tested your water? Is there enough agitation on the surface to allow good oxygenation?

 

[Cazgar]

If your tank was cycled, it could be he's just adjusting to his new home.
You could try putting a piece of sponge over the filter outlet to lessen the current for him

 

[onidrase]

cycled or not, it is probably just adjusting. I've found bettas to be kind of lazy for a few weeks before livening up if they've been in a pet store for a long time.

Keep in mind guys, a lot of people keep bettas in filterless tanks for entire lifespans of 5 years with no issues. They're tough as nails, and I'm not discouraging filtration, but it isn't totally necessary as long as you keep the water clean through water changes. It will be fine going through a fish in cycle if the tank isn't cycled yet. It's not like ammonia turns super deadly and poisonous just because you added a filter to the back of the tank.

It's not gonna get lethargic and poisoned from ammonia from being in a tank much bigger (and heated) than a tupperware cup at the LFS for 2 whole days.

 

[Oscar Betta]

Give it a few days, they can be inactive and shy the first few days while adjusting to their new environments.

 

[mrshunt90]

Thanks, Hes eaten some bloodworms so thats good. He likes sitting above my filter and letting the current run through his tail, which I was surpriced about as Id read that they dont like the current of filters

 

[lilfishie]

if he's sitting on top of it then the current may well be too strong for him, thats the only place it won't bother him

 

[OldMan47]

Betta splendens are quite often among the more active members of my community tanks. They are not fast swimmers, the fins slow them down, but they are not lay about fish either. They do ebnjoy the company of other fish and do not hesitate to swim about in even high flow areas of the tank. Of course those areas blow them around a bit but some of them seem to enjoy the ride.