Approx. 18 month old male betta won't leave Fluval filter intake area

I've read in several places that betta love to just hang out by the Fluval intake filter. His torn fins have begun to heal from his run-in with the not-so-gentle silk plant; therefore I'm 99% sure his torn fins weren't from the filter intake.

Question is, is his newfound laziness a sign of anything negative? He's always been extremely active and an explorer. I moved his stuff around every time I do a water change, so he isn't bored. He is in a 5 gallon Fluval Spec.



(This angle is weird because Fishlore flipped it, but it actually is a better picture)

 

HI, your attachment didn't work. Depending on how long his fins are some bettas will rest that way. I had a male that always was resting against the intake of a filter I had.

How long has your tank been setup?
What are your water changes like?
What is the ammonia and nitrites of this tank?

Can you post a pic of him? Use the icon with the tree in the editor to upload it.

 

Pic is upside down. (I can't get photos to post properly. Hmmmm.) Anyway, water parameters per API Kit:

Ammonia: 0
Nitrate: 0
Nitrite: 0
pH: 8.3 (Yes, the number is high, but it has been stable for months. I think it is our water.)

He was moved form his insanely small 1 gallon to the Fluval 5 gallon 10 days ago. I've done water changes every other - every third day since he was set up, as he had some torn fins from an unfortunate silk plant purchase. (it's gone)

 

Ok great. Your ph is ok, better to have a stable ph!

His fins are pretty beat up, that's too bad about the plant. New growth is clear do you see any?

If you think the filter suction is tearing them you can take a thin piece of floss/foam and suction it to it instead. It will kind of serve as a pre-filter but will keep him off of it. That's what I eventually did with mine.

 

Ok great. Your ph is ok, better to have a stable ph!

His fins are pretty beat up, that's too bad about the plant. New growth is clear do you see any?

If you think the filter suction is tearing them you can take a thin piece of floss/foam and suction it to it instead. It will kind of serve as a pre-filter but will keep him off of it. That's what I eventually did with mine.

There is new growth! I noticed the damage early in the week. There is clear tissue growth right at the base of the torn areas. I know it will take a long time for his fins to heal. :'(

Thanks for the foam idea. I have seen plastic grids applied before, but that was on tanks with shrimp and very tiny fish. I've also modified the filter so that the intake is reduced. The suction is very gentle. I'd be surprised if it was the filter intake that torn his fins. I'm pretty sure it was that nasty plant. UGH! Don't buy the medium-sized silk Fluval bamboo plant!

 

His fins are pretty beat up, that's too bad about the plant. New growth is clear do you see any?

Forgot to mention this. His fins have always been very "ragged" on the ends. But they aren't ragged. Lacy is perhaps the best way to describe them. Pretty. But he was a Petsmart purchase. Bad breeding? The cup was marked as crowntail. Who knows. I didn't know much about bettas when I bought him. I was teaching preschool at the time, and was told I had to have a class pet (on my own dime, of course). I liked his fins. LOL.

I got an even better look this morning, and he has significant growth!!!! I am starting to wonder if his body is just tired from all of the healing that is happening. He is starting to venture away from the intake a little bit more. Also, when I put the food in the tank, he swims like a crazy man to get to it!!!! Good signs, I think.

 

Crown tails do have a comb look to their tails with different lengths. I'm glad he has so much new growth.