Betta seems to prefer the bottom

My new (5 days since adoption, I think) betta, Barbossa, seems very reserved. Is this normal male betta behavior? He lays at the bottom of the tank until it's time to get air. He might occasionally swim around otherwise, but he seems to prefer the bottom. I have a filter, so I know he's getting air that way too, but it seems sort of frequent how many times he goes up. But otherwise, he doesn't eat much (if at all), and seems tired/bored. I understand I don't have anything for him to play with, and I'll try to change that soon and add more decor to his tank. But I held a mirror up to the wall tonight and he didn't flare. His mouth opened REALLY wide once (it actually startled me, because I didn't know their mouths could open so wide, haha), but I think he was yawning?! He must be bored!! Jeez! But he didn't flare. Maybe he didn't see the reflection. :/ He doesn't look ill otherwise. His tank is a little warm at about 85F, I think, so I'm trying to bring that down. He hasn't eaten to my knowledge since the first few days he was home. Help?

 

He may still be adjusting to new water conditions, etc. Are you talking about the 10 gallon tank in your profile? Keep an eye out for any bloating, as many betta illnesses this is a symptom. What are your ammonia, nitrite and nitrate readings? Must eliminate water parameter problems before looking elsewhere. And while a temperature under 82 would be preferred 85 degrees should not bother a betta in the slightest.

Assuming he isn't sick, the prime cause of the behavior you describe is too much current in the tank. Bettas like quiet water and if there is too much current they will often find a place to get away from it and sit there and sulk. If you have a HOB filter it probably needs to be baffled. I'm not a real expert on this because I simply avoid HOB filters altogether, but people commonly use filter floss for this purpose. There are other methods as well and there have been a number of threads on this topic. If we are talking about a 10 gallon, you don't need to eliminate the current in the whole tank, just a good part of it, especially at the surface.

 

For being a solitary fish, bettas are quite energetic! My new halfmoon swims twoards the glass when I pass by (probably wants food lol) and explores his entire tank all day long. So I think your betta might be trying to tell you something. Fried_Bettas is right! if he isn't sick, check to see if your tank is fit for him.

 

To add to Fried_Bettas, if he's only been there for 5 days, it's very possible that he just doesn't have the swimming power necessary. Bettas that are kept in a cup aren't exactly given the space to develop swimming abilities, so when they get into a bigger tank they don't really have the ability to move around much. And if the current is a little too strong, that just adds to it. My betta took a few days to really explore his 5 gal tank, and that was WITH a baffled internal filter.

Do you have additional resting places higher up? Such as plants, or a betta log, or a betta hammock? My betta (in a 10 gal now) loves his betta log.

Also, my betta has never flared, and I've had him for about 16 months now. He's just not a flarey kind of guy.

 

Where can I get a betta log or hammock? I'll check eBay and see if I can find something. I think his filter is too strong, too. This morning he ate some flakes, which was nice to see. Guess he doesn't care for pellets... haha picky lad! He does have one fake plant that goes high up, and I saw him resting in it last Friday.

 

I believe PetSmart has betta hammocks and betta logs.

 

I saw some inexpensive new ones on eBay, but I'll have to compare to Petsmart when I'm there this weekend. Thanks!!

 

HI there. I am reading through this thread and I see we still have not clarified your water parameters. Could you post your ammonia/nitrite/nitrate readings and if the tank is cycled? This is really the first and most important step in assessing any odd fish behavior because 9 times out of 10 it's the cause.

That said, I would like to echo some of the other members here as well make a few other points.

Sometimes bettas require an adjustment period. What are you feeding him? I see you mentioned pellets and flakes. Trying some high value goodies like bloodworms, daphnia or brine shrimp can perk him up a little. And an environment without stimulI will produce a bored and sulky betta.

If your filter is too strong, there are lots of ways to baffle it that serve a dual purpose. Stuffing the filter with media for bacteria to grow on slows the flow and stabilizes your cycle

 

Barbossa is more active and inquisitive and eats his food happily in front of me now. Gave him more plants, a pingpong ball, and soon a log and hammock. I think he just needed to get to know me better. Can't wait to move him into the living room!

 

Glad to hear it! And he will love being relocated to a place where he can be more a part of your life. Hammocks, logs, plants, ping pong balls are great but I know sometimes V just likes following everyone in the room around, he even flares at my dog.

 

Ahaha that is awesome! V sounds hilarious!

 

He is, they all are, in their own special ways. You'll have many many stories as well, and I'll be looking forward to reading them

 

Yes! And I look forward to discovering Barbossa's mannerisms and quirks.

 

He probably isn't eating because he is still adjusting to the tank mine did that for two or three days.

 

You can baffle your filter by putting a piece of filter sponge or filter floss across the output. Itll create less of a current for him

 

He probably isn't eating because he is still adjusting to the tank mine did that for two or three days.

That must have been it. He's eating now and seems to know me better.

You can baffle your filter by putting a piece of filter sponge or filter floss across the output. Itll create less of a current for him

I like that idea! Thanks!

 

And I thought I was the only one who had a weird betta that prefers to lie down at the bottom of the tank. My Shorty has a hammock, ammonia lvls are zero, and the temperature is safe for the tank.

 

And I thought I was the only one who had a weird betta that prefers to lie down at the bottom of the tank. My Shorty has a hammock, ammonia lvls are zero, and the temperature is safe for the tank.

I only just put a hammock in yesterday, so we'll see what Barbossa does with that. He'd better use it!

 

I tried a betta hammock and a betta log. He hates the log, and will only use the hammock if its within a certain distance of the water line. He won't use it if its too low which in his world is less than 2 inches. Lol

 

I tried a betta hammock and a betta log. He hates the log, and will only use the hammock if its within a certain distance of the water line. He won't use it if its too low which in his world is less than 2 inches. Lol

Hmm. I've wondered if I should move Barbossa's up to be nearer to the surface. Lazy fish!

 

If Barbossa doesn't wish to use the hammock, then I would remove it and save it for another betta that will.

 

He might yet learn, especially if I move it closer to the surface and give him a treat or two when he's on it... Smart fish, aren't they supposedly?

 

My betta uses his hammock only after lights out. (I can sneak in and just make him out, peacefully stretched over it, by the glow of the tiny nitelite.)

 

Ehehe I'll have to check on Barbossa sometime, sneekily, then!

 

I would try. Jenks would only go in the log if it was under the light and he could see inside. It kept moving though so eventually I took it out.

 

I would try. Jenks would only go in the log if it was under the light and he could see inside. It kept moving though so eventually I took it out.

Hmm, ok! I'll give it a try. If no result, I'll remove it. I haven't seen him playing with his pingpong ball either :/

 

Spotted him a couple times on it now! Silly little fish. Glad he's using it!