Need to de-stress my Betta

[Osse]

I've had my betta in the same tank for about 4 months now. I noticed her (ya it's a female) not really eating, or perching, but just going around to different areas and never really looking comfortable. The tank was getting a bit overgrown, so I figured her favorite hang-out spots were getting to small. So I removed a bunch of vegetation and did a partial water change. It seemed like it helped at first, she explored the new openings and seemed happy. Then she disappeared. Didn't see her for days, so I took a look and saw that she'd pushed herself into a mass of floating vegetation. I was worried she was stuck, so I pulled it all apart until she swam out.

Ever since then, I've only seen her cruising around with her horizontal stress stripes showing, like she's looking for a way out. She even tried jumping out of the water but got stopped by the lid. I'm afraid I stressed her out and she's having a hard time feeling safe again.

I know people have mentioned stress type products you can add to water, would any be appropriate for this situation?

Thanks for any and all feedback. The attached pic is from before it got claustrophobic for her.

 

[Ghostly]

I use seachem stress guard it seems to help.. also try turning the lights down and blanking out the walls if she isnt eating flavour her food in garlic juice it will enhance her appetite and boost her immune

 

[jake37]

What is your water condition (nitrate, ..) and tank temp. Also how often do you do water changes ?

 

[Osse]

What is your water condition (nitrate, ..) and tank temp. Also how often do you do water changes ?

Temp is about 77. Water change every 2 weeks or so. The parameters, aside from amount of vegetation, have been stable though. Which I took out maybe 15% of the plants, so I don't think it would be enough to affect the N cycle.

 

[EmberTetraPerson]

What size tank is she in? And does she have any tank mates?

 

[Osse]

What size tank is she in? And does she have any tank mates?

5g. Just neocaridina and snails. She ignores the shrimp and knocks the snails off the sides / surface when they're in her areas.

 

[Dunk2]

Temp is about 77. Water change every 2 weeks or so. The parameters, aside from amount of vegetation, have been stable though. Which I took out maybe 15% of the plants, so I don't think it would be enough to affect the N cycle.

Water should be changed every week. You say the water parameters have been stable. . . What are they?