20 Gallon Tank Help! Betta acting weird after put in tank

So gumdrop used to be in a 5 gal now I just put him in my 20 gal tall community Tank and he doesnt seem to be reacting to the fish which is odd cause he almost killed a molly when I added it to his 5 gal (returned the molly) but he’s been under the sponge filter hiding and now in the open on the ground though the other fish don’t really care about him
He’s the fish in my profile pic and he’s normally spunky and quick
My community tank
Update.

 

Did you acclimate the betta before adding him to the tank? I think he just has to get used to his new home

 

Did you acclimate the betta before adding him to the tank? I think he just has to get used to his new home

Yes I did acclimate and ok I’ll keep an eye out still just in case

 

I could be wrong, but I think that he may just be a bit stressed and confused. Try thinking about it from his perspective.

When you added the molly to his tank, you put it into his territory which he felt the need to defend, hence why he attacked it. It was an intruder.

Now, you put him into a new tank (which I think will be a good idea, assuming he gets along with the tankmates, as he'll have more space to swim). He has no territory here, so it makes sense that he's a bit shy. He'll probably find himself a spot where he feels safe, and then start to explore when he's comfortable.

I would just keep an eye on him to make sure that he doesn't show any signs of disease.

 

I could be wrong, but I think that he may just be a bit stressed and confused. Try thinking about it from his perspective.

When you added the molly to his tank, you put it into his territory which he felt the need to defend, hence why he attacked it. It was an intruder.

Now, you put him into a new tank (which I think will be a good idea, assuming he gets along with the tankmates, as he'll have more space to swim). He has no territory here, so it makes sense that he's a bit shy. He'll probably find himself a spot where he feels safe, and then start to explore when he's comfortable.

I would just keep an eye on him to make sure that he doesn't show any signs of disease.

That makes perfect sense thank you
There’s a tiny gap leading underneath the sponge filter and he’s wedged himself in there

 

Someone suggested on TikTok darker substrate? So he can blend in better what do you guys think

 

Changing substrate is pretty hard with a established tank. How is he behaving? Any improvement?

 

Changing substrate is pretty hard with a established tank. How is he behaving? Any improvement?

He’s in The corner hovering off the ground

 

I don't think that its worth it. If you give him more places to hide, he will come out more often. I think that's something you could do, and remove some hiding spots again, when he feels more comfortable.

 

I don't think that its worth it. If you give him more places to hide, he will come out more often. I think that's something you could do, and remove some hiding spots again, when he feels more comfortable.

Oops I just bought 20 pounds of gravel lol... I didn’t read this first any suggestions on how to put it in without wrecking the cycle?

 

What a beautiful betta boy!!!!!

What is the stocking in the tank?

What is your light schedule? Bettas don't like bright light, and need a good 14 hours or so with lights out.

He has to adjust, and scope out his new territory. It will take him a few days to do that. And he does need a place to hide that is just his own.

He will also benefit from having something near the top where he might be able to lay/rest, like a floating betta log or some betta leaves/hammocks. They go to the surface a lot to breathe air, and he does have those heavy fins, and it is a tall tank.

Just some thoughts....

Edit: I don't think that I would change the substrate and possibly upend your cycle.

 

I had a couple more thoughts about this.

Did he have a hide or something in the 5 gallon that he liked which you could move across so he feels more comfortable?

What's the water flow in your tank like? Not too much current for him?

 

Ok so the 20 gallon lights are on for about 8ish hours and off from about 10-11 so like 8 hours (I can’t do math right now lol) and the flow is low I have 2 sponge filters so the only flow is the sponge filters. And ill add a betta log and some betta leaves etc. And in his 5 gallon he had hiding spots. when fish would get in his face he wouldn’t flare or chase he just sat there

stocking in 20:
3 albino cories
5 X-ray tetras (still tiny)
1 female honey gourami (peaceful)
4 platys (don’t bother him swim around the top of the tank)
1 nerite snail
And I’ll see if I can return the substrate
I’m adding the gravel on top of the sand and the gravel is like small pebbles so it won’t hurt thr cories

 

He’s dead... my betta died

 

I'm super sorry to hear that.

 

I am so, so sorry!!!!!

 

He’s dead... my betta died

It's always sad when you lose a pet