New Addition To My 13G Tank

[DannyBlackbourn]

Hey everyone,

I have just recently bought a nice flame red male Betta and have added him to my tank along with the current occupants (5 amano shrimp)...

He seems really shy at the moment, is this because he has only been in the tank for a few hours and is still not settled yet...?

I have the temperature currently set at 23oC (However I need to buy a new heater for this tank anyway as this one is temperamental)

I needed to change the direction of my filter because it seemed as so the betta was struggling to swim due to the current... (I have the Fluval U2 filter)

I haven't kept Betta fish before and was wondering if anyone has any tips on how I should keep/feed them.
I only have tetraMin flakes and some shrimp pellets, but he doesnt seem to be taking any food at the moment...

Any help would be appreciated.
Sorry for being such a betta newbie lol!

 

[coldcazzie]

You need to give him at least a couple of days to settle into the tank before you start trying to assess whether he's ok or not.

Definitely reduce flow on your filter somehow! Why not post in the betta section - you'll get loads of good advice there

 

[xem]

Bettas can take a few days to settle and may be cautious at first. They can also take several days before they will start to eat anything - mine took almost a week (but now jumps for food lol). As for what to feed - mine will eat anything, flakes included persistence is the key here. A cooked de-shelled pea is also recommended by many people once a week or so just to help prevent constipation.

I don't know what your current set up is but try leaving the lights off for 24 hours to keep him relaxed. Coconut shells/other forms of cavey type things are also useful for bettas where they can go to chill out.

 

[DannyBlackbourn]

Hey, and thank you for your responses.

I currently have sand substrate, with two large moss balls and one plant in the middle of the tank... (Dunno what plant it is but it is like long strand of grass)

I am thinking about investing in some cavings and stuff for my catfish to hide in also... so this is surely a definite then?!

It's been quite a while now, and he seems to be a little more adventurous... he keeps stalking the shrimp food that I put in the tank, but leaves it alone and swims off lol... its like watching a cat stalk a bird!

He seems more friendly now also, following my finger against the glass

Just cannot wait to get money and Fill the tank with more plants and caves