Betta staking territory and chasing other fish away

I’ve had my Betta Angel for about two months now in a ten gallon with some plain wild type guppy’s with no problems whatsoever until recently when I do a big scape change. Now he’s picked the corner with the highest density of plants and objects and he’s in that area a lot going through it and in and out and it’s been really fun to watch him explore that area so much but he’s also starting to flare and chase the other fish from that area. The fish can be anywhere else other than that area and he’s perfectly fine with that and when he’s out swimming the rest of the tank he doesn’t bother them at all. Should I change the scape again to stop it or wait till it’s been setup for a couple weeks and see if he stops? Or is something else going on? I am a little worried that he’s uncomfortable which is maybe why he’s doing this and maybe I should add some more plants in other areas so that he’s not uncomfortable being out and about? Any advice?

 

I am no expert with betta behavior, but this is similar to the behavior my paradise fish, black paradise fish, and banded bushfish all displayed when they built bubble nests and prepared to breed or had already bred. Is there a bubble nest anywhere in that corner?

 

Probably he thinks it is a great spot to stake out for a future breeding. If you have little surface agitation and some floating plants he may start to build a nest.

As long as he leaves the fish alone when they are not in that corner (and the guppies understand not to get in his way all the time..?) I wouldn't be concerned. But a 10 gallon may be a little small to hold a betta and its stake, and then also a group of guppies..

Edit: I see Joshaeus had exactly the same idea and just beat me to it

 

The guppy’s for the most part stay away from that area and leave him alone. There’s no bubble nest but there is possibly too much agitation at the surface for him to build one in that area it’s right around the sponge filter. The guppies are only inside for the winter and then I have a tub I put them out in during the spring/summer. If it does become a problem I do have another ten I can move the guppies to though so my husband will just have to deal with another tank if it becomes necessary

 

As long as it is just limited to chasing, I wouldn’t worry. But if you get uncomfortable with it, you can rearrange the plants. He will probably claim a plant(s) again but you can just keep rearranging if it gets bad. Bettas like change of scenery for exploration anyway.