I just got a betta for my 39 gallon community tank today, along with some dwarf platies. The platies seem fine and are minding their own business but my betta doesn't seem to be doing as well. he's swimming really fast, and when he's not swimming he's laying on the bottom of the tank. Any suggestions on what to do and how to make him happy? thanks!
2007-08-01 14:36:59 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Fish
how do you reduce air flow?
2007-08-01 14:48:28 · update #1
He needs time to adjust to the new environment, that is completely normal behavior, since he has been confined to a tiny space before you put him into your tank
It can take up to 1 week for new fish to adjust
But I think it's great that you give him so much room to swim and be happy
As for the waterflow, if you have a hang in filter, there is a knob on top of the tube which you can turn and adjust the waterflow with
Hope that helps
Good luck
EB
2007-08-01 19:36:12 · answer #1 · answered by Kribensis lover 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
He's fine. He's checking out his new surroundings and getting his system adjusted to the new environment. He has new water, new tankmates, new everything... so you need to give him some time to get comfortable first.
Ignore what others say about the amount of space bettas need and about tankmates as well. Like all fish, the more space a betta has, the happier it will be. Your betta will be so much happier in that 39 gallon tank than he would be in a little 1 gallon bowl. As for tankmates, it's not true that bettas are mad killers - they can be very peaceful community fish, provided they have the right tankmates, and dwarf platies are great candidates.
It is true, however, that bettas dislike too much water current. It gets in the way of their long fins.
2007-08-02 02:28:50 · answer #2 · answered by ninjaaa! 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No problem, I have Betta's in 50, 20 and 10 gal tanks. He's just getting use to the new place! I have a power pumps on all, my 45 has a power head on the under gravel and the Betta's get in the current and seem to like it. If he wants out of the current he'll find a rock or plant to hide in or on.. ><>:)~
2007-08-01 14:57:30 · answer #3 · answered by PaPa Norm 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My sons male Betta does that sometimes. It is normal for for him. He does enjoy the other fish, as he is their king. But what he really enjoys is when you go up to the tank and tell him what a pretty fish he is. He does like his hiding place in the plants. He does NOT like when my son "needs" to rearrange the tank.
It is a matter of time before you hit on the right combination to make your fish happy. If he's not, you will know, Just make small changes at a time. Enjoy your fish. He'll know if you do, and he'll be happy too.
2007-08-01 14:52:39 · answer #4 · answered by f1mudvayne29 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He is stressed out from the move. He will be fine in a few days. I have my male in a 36 gallon community tank and he does very well in it with the other fish. I also have a canister filter and a large air stone. It doesn't seem to bother him. Make sure you have plants (fake or real) in the tank so he can lay on them and hide in them. Don't be alarmed if he doesn't eat for the first few days, that is totally normal for a new fish.
2007-08-02 00:37:58 · answer #5 · answered by LuvinLife 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
too much flow. Bettas are use to water that has little to no flow they do better in tanks under 10 gallons, IMO. You need to get him out or he will "drown" They gulp air from the surface of the water. They have a gill that functions like a lung if I'm not mistaken its called a labyrinth gill
2007-08-01 14:41:35 · answer #6 · answered by Ryan 2 · 1⤊ 3⤋
I had a betta and it lived a little over two years. Anyways, yeah, you have to put them in a smaller tank with hardly any air flow. And their not supposed to be with any other fish. They have to be by themselves 'cause they kill the other fish. Good luck!
2007-08-01 14:46:46 · answer #7 · answered by Jaclyn I 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Is your betta puffing the gills out on his neck or sticking up the fins on his back? If so it means he wants to fight.
2007-08-01 15:22:06 · answer #8 · answered by :( 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
betta's r chianese fighting fish he might not like the other fish but my betta does the same thing he just lays there at the bottom. it must be somthing bettas do.
2007-08-01 15:02:55 · answer #9 · answered by Zac_luver1920 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
i think that bettas are supposed to be alone or else they kill all the other fish.
2007-08-01 15:00:14 · answer #10 · answered by bRad 1 · 0⤊ 3⤋