Whenever I go to feed him he swims away and when i'm cleaning out the bowl and I need to get him out he always swims away and I can never catch him, even with a net! It's quite a struggle. Also, he just got over finrot, so I thought, but now the part of the fin that was covered in white-ish gray coating is coming apart. But he still seems happy, just completely afraid/unresponsive to me. How do i get him to no longer be afraid?
2007-11-19 13:31:27 · 7 answers · asked by sweldon101 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
It could be a variety of things, water quality being one.
Make sure you change the water in your bowl at least once a week, and only 50% at a time. (you shouldn't have to take him out)
Keep him warm too, the warmer bettas are the happier they are, a cold betta will be unresponsive, lethargic, skittish, and have a poor appetite. It's hard to maintain a nice temperature in a bowl.
Start feeding him a variety of foods (keeps up interest). Try some frozen bloodworms, he'll love you for it.
My one betta will race to whatever side of the tank I'm on, and eat food from my hands, but he was shy when I first got him, so give him time!
2007-11-19 14:30:23 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If his fin is still falling apart, he probably isn't over the finrot yet. Keep his water very clean and the heater at around 80* F. You can also add MelaFix, which will help it to heal.
My betta fish were a little skittish when I first got them, but now they rush to the front of their tanks when they see me coming--especially my biggest one! They also eat food off my fingertips.
Just be patient and don't stress out your fish, keep his tank clean and heated, and he should get used to you in no time. :)
2007-11-20 01:13:52 · answer #2 · answered by Chaos! 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Usually fish that behave like that are in poor water conditions. Learn how to do proper tank cleaning and do weekly water changes. Here's a hint: you never remove the fish to clean the tank. When you get the water conditions right the fish's attitude will change!
2007-11-19 21:40:45 · answer #3 · answered by PeeTee 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fish are scared of things coming close to them (including yourself) but betta can learn tricks and one of the tricks is where it can pick food out of your hand. So feed them when it become closer to you might help condition it.
Check this web for more info:
http://www.fish-school.com/index.html
2007-11-19 21:58:52 · answer #4 · answered by icesnoopy129 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
spend alot of time near the tank, give treats (food) when he comes out (classical conditioning - reinforcement). They're pretty quick to train
2007-11-19 21:35:24 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's a fish. They don't come when called, no matter how much you train them.
2007-11-19 21:34:14 · answer #6 · answered by Amy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
um.. fish usually are scared of people and swim away no matter what
2007-11-19 21:35:26 · answer #7 · answered by girl please.. 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋