Beta change in behavior/weird hiding spot

Hi all
It’s been forever since I’ve posted. My kiddo got a small beta tank over quarantine (May 2020) we upgraded the tank to 3 gallons from what it was. Yes. I know this is small for a beta and we hope to make some room soon for a 10 gallon again.

Background: I’ve been keeping fish for 5-10 years betas on and off with cory cats. Usually in a ten gallon. Kiddo wanted a fish while we were stuck at home. Im in the midst of a divorce so we just went with something small (literally guys we had JUST gotten rid of our ten gallon. The anger I have over this is immense lol) and have a 3 gallon. I do weekly 25% to 50% water changes and check the water. Everything is perfect. I promise it is I’ve been doing this a while. He has a moss ball in his tank with him as well (love that little guy. Well both of them) and a heater with a perfect temp around 78.

Recently Royal (the fish) has become less active and hiding behind the filter. Immediately I think oh the water is messed up he’s by the fresh water source. Nope. Water is great but I put in fresh cartridges last night just because small tank and all (there is carbon stuffed in this tiny filter with the cartridges). The only thing I can think of that’s changed recently is my kid put new decor behind his tank that’s got him spooked. So we took that down. We also went and got him a new floating log (he also has a beta hammock leaf) He came right out and hung out in it for a little bit, swam around, ate and is now back behind the filter. He’s also leaning which I know isn’t totally strange as betas rest and all. I see nothing on this fish that says he’s anything but healthy (his color has gotten brighter, his fins are beautiful, no marks, breathing normal, swimming normal when he’s out). That lean is just really bothering me.
Am I just being an over protective fish mom who feels guilt over this tiny tank or does anyone have any ideas on what could be going on. We also put more plants in (fake. I kill everything but moss balls) because literally all I can think of is he’s looking for someplace to hide and has decided behind the filter is his fave spot. Should I just keep an eye on him and hope he decides the nice safe log is a better spot? Or his leaf, or the castle or the lovely plants? ANYWHERE BUT HERE lol. Because he’s scaring me behind the filter. I’ve never had a beta in 10 years of owning betas decide that’s their spot.

As you can probably tell I’m a huge fan of this fish and my daughter loves him. Any advice? (besides getting a bigger tank. I know. I’m trying)

 

Can you show a photo of the tank and fish? What kind if filter does it have and is the tank heated?

It sounds to me the filter output could be the problem. After a while of fighting against the current to swim a betta will just give up and hide where this is the least flow, which seems to be behind the filter.

 

This is the tank. Our moss ball is hanging out in the back corner so you can’t see him well (I mean I don’t think they have a gender but I call it him). The filter is just what came with the tank and I honestly don’t know what it is. I know I’m terrible and usually know all this but it’s been a very hard year. It’s a small top fin filter. It definitely has great output for its size and keeps the tank clean but I could see it being a bit much. There is a heater yes. That had been his favorite spot to hang out. It’s on the same wall as the filter.
This is a terrible pic of him but everytime I tried to make him put his fins out he glared at me and I don’t want to stress him more. You can see the lean he’s doing hanging out at the bottom (after much coaxing to get him out). Also I should note when I went to take the pic he was hanging out in his log. I think you’re probably right on the filter output. I’m hoping adding the log will help out? He seems interested in it…and mad at me for bothering him so much today. Do you notice anything from this pic?

This is the tank. Our moss ball is hanging out in the back corner so you can’t see him well (I mean I don’t think they have a gender but I call it him). The filter is just what came with the tank and I honestly don’t know what it is. I know I’m terrible and usually know all this but it’s been a very hard year. It’s a small top fin filter. It definitely has great output for its size and keeps the tank clean but I could see it being a bit much. There is a heater yes. That had been his favorite spot to hang out. It’s on the same wall as the filter.
This is a terrible pic of him but everytime I tried to make him put his fins out he glared at me and I don’t want to stress him more. You can see the lean he’s doing hanging out at the bottom (after much coaxing to get him out). Also I should note when I went to take the pic he was hanging out in his log. I think you’re probably right on the filter output. I’m hoping adding the log will help out? He seems interested in it…and mad at me for bothering him so much today. Do you notice anything from this pic?

I should also mention when we got him he was TOTALLY white. The purple color has just started coming out in the last week or so starting at the base of his fins then working up. I did pick up some beta fix but I’m not sure that’s what he needs so haven’t added anything. Kinda wondering if it’s ick? I don’t know if those white dots are that or just his new coloring.

 

By looking at the filter and tank size I definitely feel the filter is the problem. Try turning it off and observe his behavior for an hour or so. If he becomes more active then there’s your proof. I highly suggest you get a sponge filter with an adjustable valve (or adjustable pump). A long finned betta in a small tank that has a strong filter is going to have problems swimming and eventually show signs of stress and illness.

It is hard to tell for certain what color his markings on the head/back are because of the colored lights. It is not ich, that I am sure of. Body and fin wise he looks fine to me. Bettas change color, cellophane and white fish are more likely to marble while young.

Also, a note on filter cartridges. Do not replace them until they are literally falling apart. When you replace the filter media you are removing a good portion of the beneficial bacteria which can lead to a mini cycle and high levels of ammonia and/or nitrite. Simply rinse in old tank water and reuse. If you decide to get a sponge filter you may have to recycle the tank. One good idea is to place the new sponge filter in a bucket of water and rinse the old filter media in said bucket. The functioning sponge filter will become seeded with bacteria as it filters the dirty water.

 

By looking at the filter and tank size I definitely feel the filter is the problem. Try turning it off and observe his behavior for an hour or so. If he becomes more active then there’s your proof. I highly suggest you get a sponge filter with an adjustable valve (or adjustable pump). A long finned betta in a small tank that has a strong filter is going to have problems swimming and eventually show signs of stress and illness.

It is hard to tell for certain what color his markings on the head/back are because of the colored lights. It is not ich, that I am sure of. Body and fin wise he looks fine to me. Bettas change color, cellophane and white fish are more likely to marble while young.

Also, a note on filter cartridges. Do not replace them until they are literally falling apart. When you replace the filter media you are removing a good portion of the beneficial bacteria which can lead to a mini cycle and high levels of ammonia and/or nitrite. Simply rinse in old tank water and reuse. If you decide to get a sponge filter you may have to recycle the tank. One good idea is to place the new sponge filter in a bucket of water and rinse the old filter media in said bucket. The functioning sponge filter will become seeded with bacteria as it filters the dirty water.

I do usually just rinse the filter cartridges but these ones were looking rough. I did rinse the new ones in tank water that I was cleaning and I have additional filter media in there to help as well (some extra carbon that I leave in period) so hopefully I didn’t cause issues. The moss guy also helps keep healthy bacteria in there too. I will turn the filter off and see how it goes. He’s definitely stressed out from me messing with him to keep him from behind the filter so I’m trying to leave him be. Could you link me to something you’d recommend? I’ve always had a big tank for a beta so I’ve not used sponge filters etc before. Thank you so much for the advice!

 

I really like these air pump, I have two. The knob let me adjust the flow without needing an adjustable valve.


As for the sponge filter, check out chewy or ebay. Get one that will fit the tank well, there are dozens of options.

 

I really like these air pump, I have two. The knob let me adjust the flow without needing an adjustable valve.
View attachment 810087
As for the sponge filter, check out chewy or ebay. Get one that will fit the tank well, there are dozens of options.

How do you feel about a pre filter sponge as a quick fix? Are we talking about the same thing here? Haha. I do have the filter off now he’s moved from behind it and is swimming so I think I found my issue. Poor little man. I feel so bad! Here I am impressed at how well this is keeping the tank clean and he’s exhausted.

 

A pre filter will not slow down the output unless the sponge gets clogged. Only quick fix I can think of is making a baffle of some sort and attaching it to the output. You can also try adding something tall in front of the output to stem the flow a bit.

 

Just wanted to give an update. New sponge filter arrived today and we got it up and running. Also realized the heater malfunctioned and that might have been the problem more than anything. If anyone has a good rec for a small tank heater that isn’t junk this is the second one I’ve been through. Right now we are going with no heater as my house is warm enough that his tank is in ideal range (gotta love when your AC can’t keep up with the heat). I’m hoping with his cool new filter (kiddo is loving the bubbles) and a few days at normal temps he will recover. How I didn’t think about the heater till late one evening I don’t know. I’m a terrible fish mom this week!

 

I would just find a 25 or 50 watt heater that's a well known brand. Aqueon, Eheim Jager, etc. Set it at 80. Another source of stress for fish is fluctuating water temps.