Help! Betta is scared and acting very odd!

I have a 2 year old male betta in my 36 gallon aquarium. Nothing has been changed to the aquarium and he has lived in it for 1 year.
Suddenly he started acting very scared every time I go up to the tank, but normally he is always meeting me at the glass. He is very scared and I don't know why, he is also staying by the bottom and didn't come up for food today. I have tetras and platies that he has lived with for a long time and I watch my fish every day, I see no change in behavior except for him. Please help he seems really scared and I have to clue what's happening.

 

Are you walking up suddenly or stepping loudly?

 

Are you walking up suddenly or stepping loudly?

No I'm not and Even when we do construction and there are big bangs he never gets scared much. As soon as he sees me he gets scared. maybe he's going blind?

 

Are there kids or pets around that could be scaring him?

 

No I'm not and Even when we do construction and there are big bangs he never gets scared much. As soon as he sees me he gets scared. maybe he's going blind?

Hadn't thought of that possibility. Troubles eating?

Either way, something seems to have him freaked out. Have you tried watching from a distance if possible?

 

If your betta's health is compromised, it might suddenly become afraid for no apparent reason. Just throwing ideas out there.

 

I might keep a closer eye on the platies. How many fish do you have, it might be overstocked. I would give the tank a big water test, my fish started doing this due to an ammonia spike.

 

I might keep a closer eye on the platies. How many fish do you have, it might be overstocked. I would give the tank a big water test, my fish started doing this due to an ammonia spike.

I checked my water yesterday after I noticed he was acting strange. I have 4 tetras 2 platies and my Betta.

If your betta's health is compromised, it might suddenly become afraid for no apparent reason. Just throwing ideas out there.

That's an idea, he is getting old so I'm not sure.

Hadn't thought of that possibility. Troubles eating?

Either way, something seems to have him freaked out. Have you tried watching from a distance if possible?

I have. I can't get with in 2 feet of the tank before he goes back to hide.

Are there kids or pets around that could be scaring him?

I only have 2 small dogs and I'm the youngest. He's never been botherd by any bangs or anything before. It's so weird because he's used to me and is always at the front of the glass but suddenly he's afraid.

 

Suddenly he started acting very scared every time I go up to the tank, but normally he is always meeting me at the glass. He is very scared and I don't know why, he is also staying by the bottom and didn't come up for food today.

If this was my fish, I'd move it to a 5 gallon tank and keep an eye on him. Something is off with his living situation. JMO.

It may not be you that is scaring him, you are just seeing the after effects.

I had a Koi Betta with swimming issues and deepst tank I could use was a 20 long because anything with more height was too much a strain. Bettas needs air and staying at bottom , being afraid doesn't sound like a good combo.