Betta Swimming Against Glass

I transferred my betta from a 2.5 gal to a 10 gallon about 2 weeks ago. Since being transferred he has been swimming back and forth against the glass on one side of the tank and very rarely explores the tank. I noticed yesterday he is missing a few scales on the right side gill plate. Does anyone have an explanation for this behaviour and is it possible that the missing scales are just related to this?

I think he can see his reflection and so I planted some Rotala indica around the sides and back to try to limit his line of sight. The rest of the tank is sparsely planted as I expect it to grow out. I have an Aqueon Quietflow 10 on the tank.

 

How is your water flow .. he might try to look for calm water if there is lot of moving water on top of thank he might stress out .. what is your water quality is it similar from 2.5 gallon tank..

 

I haven't taken parameters yet but the filter was running on a cycled tank for ~6 months prior so I assume it would have cycled quickly given the small ammonia input. The 2.5 had no heater and no filter, was densely planted though and he was building bubble nests. I might turn off the filter tonight and see if his behaviour changes.

 

Do you have many things in the tank to block the water flow? (Plants, decorations, etc.) Bettas aren't good with much water flow. I only like HOB filters for them if I can turn down the flow or put ****tons of decorations and plants in to buffer flow.

He may also have some irritation that he's trying to rub out on the glass, which might help explain the missing scales.

 

I transferred my betta from a 2.5 gal to a 10 gallon about 2 weeks ago. Since being transferred he has been swimming back and forth against the glass on one side of the tank and very rarely explores the tank. I noticed yesterday he is missing a few scales on the right side gill plate. Does anyone have an explanation for this behaviour and is it possible that the missing scales are just related to this?

It's possible that he's still acclimating to the new tank space. One of my bettas glass-surfed for almost a month when I brought him home at first (I feel like he must have been in the tiny pet store cup for awhile...) and 2.5 to 10 gallons is a decently big size change for a betta. Both of my fish recently went up from 2.5 to 3.5 gallons, and both of them have been just staying in the areas of the tank with decorations that they're familiar with (they avoid the areas with new plants I put in...) so I think it's just a matter of time.

I think he'll likely explore more when he feels more secure in the new space, though the sparse plant cover and the filter may also be contributing to that. If his 2.5 gallon was densely planted and didn't have a filter, that plus all the new space might make him feel a bit insecure. If he doesn't have something relatively solid to hide in, that might account for the glass surfing (and as a result, the scales being knocked loose/off, I think).

Do you happen to have anything in the tank he can hide in/at? Something like either one of these:

 

I've had the filter off for two days now and he spends much less time glass surfing. I also added some nerites to keep him company. If he still seems uneasy over the weekend, I'll add some decorations for him to hide in.

 

It may be that he sees his reflection on that side and is trying to scare away 'that other betta guy'. Is he glass surfacing or do you occasionally see him flaring as well? I have one that since his upgrade has been patrolling the back glass a lot. I may have to remove the backdrop to see if that cuts down on his reflection. I've also had them patrol back and forth without flaring.

 

That's what I had assumed to start but no flaring although I could clearly see his reflection so I assume he can see it too. it seems the filter has had an effect on his behaviour so I'm just going to leave it off. I do 50% water changes weekly anyway and Bettas are from low flow, low oxygen waters.

 

Both my Bettas glass surfed in their first few weeks home. I don't see why a new tank would be any different, so I'm hoping that's the case and your fish are doing great!

 

I would suggest getting a different filter, lots of places say you don’t need a filter but you do. I didn’t have a filter on my betta tank for a few days while the new one came, and it made such a difference. I would recommend a aquaclear 20-30 as they are very good filters with an adjustable flow. Also, do you have a heater? You mentioned you didnt in the 2.5 gallon, if not, you need one. I would suggest planting it more and adding some hides if it is sparsely planted as that could be causing stress.

 

The quietflow actually has a pretty strong flow. I had to baffle the output of mine with a sponge. Don’t just turn it off. Either make a quick and simple baffle or get a sponge filter. Also, I hope you have a heater now. Bettas need temps of 78-82.

 

I have a heater, I’ll look into making a baffle or setting up a sponge filter. He’s stopped surfing since the filter has been off so I guess that must have been the problem. I’ll turn the filter back on ad see if he starts doing it again just to complete the study

 

So I got my betta almost a year ago and after regrettably putting him in a bowl ( This is very bad for the fish so don’t do it) I finally got my 10 gallon tank that I cycled I acclimated him and netted him into his new tank! He was really active but now he’s just swimming side to side across the tank! I’m very worried because he won’t eat now, is there something I’m doing wrong? ( Yes the tank has no plants yet because my LFS didn’t have the plants so I ordered them online) Here are some pictures!

 

View attachment 411265 View attachment 411267 So I got my betta almost a year ago and after regrettably putting him in a bowl ( This is very bad for the fish so don’t do it) I finally got my 10 gallon tank that I cycled I acclimated him and netted him into his new tank! He was really active but now he’s just swimming side to side across the tank! I’m very worried because he won’t eat now, is there something I’m doing wrong? ( Yes the tank has no plants yet because my LFS didn’t have the plants so I ordered them online) Here are some pictures!

I have also had my betta for about a year now and had him in a small 1g, but have since upgraded him. In his larger tank, he does swim back and forth quite often. Not entirely sure why. Yours, like mine, will likely learn to eat once it pays attention to the surface again. I just had to tap on the lid of the aquarium to get his attention before he swam up and ate. When I put plants in the tank, he started acting a bit more normally, swimming around them. Some people have thrown out that he is seeing a reflection, which I'm not too sure on because he does it even when the lights are on in the room. Not entirely sure, but I wouldn't be too concerned. It's much better than him being unresponsive and inactive, in my opinion.

 

Okay! Thanks for the clarification

 

If it's boredom, one think you might want to try is a floating betta mirror for about five minutes per day. It's good for their mental state as it adds excitement and good for their bowels as it helps exercise muscles in that area.

 

View attachment 411265 View attachment 411267 So I got my betta almost a year ago and after regrettably putting him in a bowl ( This is very bad for the fish so don’t do it) I finally got my 10 gallon tank that I cycled I acclimated him and netted him into his new tank! He was really active but now he’s just swimming side to side across the tank! I’m very worried because he won’t eat now, is there something I’m doing wrong? ( Yes the tank has no plants yet because my LFS didn’t have the plants so I ordered them online) Here are some pictures!

Hi! When bettas are put into a tank they tend to surf the glass for a few days until they learn their boundaries. My Betta normally does laps around the tank all day long. He is also in a cycled ten gallon. New plants and decorations help them get more interested in the interior. It looks like your Betta is okay, just learning his new territory. If they’ve been moved to a new environment sometimes they don’t eat right away, in fact sometimes it’s better to wait a day or two before feeding them. Because they might be a little stressed out. It sounds like he’s just adjusting. I’m sure you’ll find he’ll eat soon.

 

mine does that when something outside of the tank catches her attention (people, leaving objects in front of the glass, things like that.) if the fish isn't used to the view outside of the tank, it could be the same thing but amplified because right now everything will catch its attention before it gets used to it. I don't think this behaviour is something to be worried about.

 

Okay! Thanks for the advice!☺️
Is he supposed to be so into it that when I tap the lid he ignores me?

 

Okay! Is he supposed to be so into it that when I tap the lid he ignores me?

My Betta ignores me all the time. I wouldn’t really worry. It’s a big jump from one gallon to ten. He’s in a mansion. It’s gonna take him a little while to get used to it and claim the territory with confidence. It’s almost like bringing him home new from the store. He may not eat and might ignore you for up to a week.

Also, I don’t know if he’d notice you tapping the lid is you're doing it gently. Unless it’s glass? I wouldn’t tap too hard cuz that might scare him. You could try showing him your fingers and see if he follows them up to top. But he really might ignore you for a little while. I’m sure he’ll adjust and get comfortable in his new home.

 

Could be bordem or the bowl may have ruined him. I heard its bad for the fishes eyes being in a sphere. Or he just trying to adjust. He is very pretty.

 

CanadianFishFan I put him in a bowl where the front and back were flat, the sides were curved but he mostly spent his time at the front. Thank you he appreciates your compliment!

 

CanadianFishFan I put him in a bowl where the front and back were flat, the sides were curved but he mostly spent his time at the front. Thank you he appreciates your compliment!

I have the same bowl (only for emergencies) Still wonder why he would do that....

 

CanadianFishFan What do you mean?

 

CanadianFishFan What do you mean?

Well why he is attracted to the glass. Isnt that what you where figuring out?

 

CanadianFishFan Yes, he can see his reflection but he doesn’t react to it

 

CanadianFishFan Yes, he can see his reflection but he doesn’t react to it

Not all bettas do, My fish Jupiter will get angry at everything, while Galaxy can sit near other bettas and just doesn't even care.

 

From what I've heard and seen from personal experience, it's normal. Keep in mind he has literally gone into a home 10 times bigger than his old one. It's normal for him to not really react to your tapping at this point. Just give him a week or two. Bettas can go a while without food, especially males who have to when they care for their eggs.

 

Toss some decorations in, plants don't all have to be live to be stimulating for you and for betta!

 

What he said ^ The best way to get them engaged on the inside of the aquarium is moving stuff around

 

Okay! I’ll do that since I’m doing a water change today

 

My betta does ALL day and it’s actually a little frustrating lol he’s done it in his 2.5 and now also in his 5.5. He eats good though. So I can’t tell if it’s just his reflection that keeps his attention or what. I have more than enough plants and decor for him to explore and he doesn’t even care lol

 

Thanks everyone for all the advice!