i just got him, help

[GlamourGirl]

I just purchased a gorgeous bright red betta who is currently in a 5 gallon filtered tank (all alone). .. i have a few questions.. (keep in mind ive only had him at home for an hour)


I tried to feed him betta fish food which the petshop recommended, i dropped one and its been floating there for an hour..he hasnt eaten it..
When i got him in he explored the tank a bit and then all he does now is stay in this little house thing..like he's hiding.. is this normal or is he just shy /getting use to things still?
Should i leave the light and filter on over night (ie: all the time?)?

[Dave66]

I just purchased a gorgeous bright red betta who is currently in a 5 gallon filtered tank (all alone). .. i have a few questions.. (keep in mind ive only had him at home for an hour)


I tried to feed him betta fish food which the petshop recommended, i dropped one and its been floating there for an hour..he hasnt eaten it..
When i got him in he explored the tank a bit and then all he does now is stay in this little house thing..like he's hiding.. is this normal or is he just shy /getting use to things still?
Should i leave the light and filter on over night (ie: all the time?)?

Filter yes, light at night no. Remove the uneaten food: it can affect your water quality..
Hiding like that is odd for a Betta. Watch him closely; he should be cruising his domain.

Dave

[GlamourGirl]

He is wondering around the tank now a lot more..and not hiding much any more... however, i tried to feed him but he isnt eating.. i dropped in a few betta food pallets.. but he isnt eating it.. what do i do? Just remove them? Why wont he eat it?


thanks!

[MeganL3985]

We just got a bright red betta too. He didn't eat for 2 days. And he stayed in a corner for 1 day, behind a plant. Just let him go and dont go up to the tank and stare into it too often. Let him get comfortable when nobody's around, he'll come out. I think it was like the 3rd day that he actually started to come out. He ate the night of his 2nd day. Just monitor him, but give him his space too. He'll be okay most likely.

[drawnon]

My crown tail was shy too the first 3 or 4 days. He didn’t eat for 2 days and was hiding. After about a week of me keeping him on a schedule (lights, 6am to 6pm, feeding, 6 days a week at 4pm) he’s king of his 10 gallon. His name is King Leonidas, because he’s such a tough guy. I’ve had him for 5 or 6 weeks and he seems to love life. He seems happy.
I think it just takes a couple of days to adjust to the new environment.
About the feeding... King Leonidas will NOT eat the betta pellets. He hates them. When I try to feed him those he actually seems to look at me with disgust. I try to give him something different every day. His typical menu looks like this.
Monday: freeze dried bloodworms
Tuesday: frozen brine shrimp
Wednesday: brine shrimp flake
Thursday: frozen bloodworms
Friday: regular tropical fish flake that my mollies eat
Saturday: sun dried baby shrimp
Sunday: i dont feed him
I have read a lot of websites about betas and they all say they eat from the top of water only, but you should see mine dive to chase food as well as picking up the ones he’s missed off the bottom of the tank.
I wish I knew where to buy mosquito larvae. I don’t have many bugs here, and I’m not too sure I would like to try to grow them. With my luck ill have 10 million misquotes flying around my house.
Anyway… give him a little bit and he will be ok.

[Lady Hobbs]

He is probably stressed from the move and doesn't know his new home yet. Don't rush him and he will come around. Leave the lights off so he'll get more comfortable and calm down sooner.

[poppinseab]

My Beta did the same after about a week he was seemed fit as a fiddle. I think it has to do with all the stress and change in the envirnment. Maybe put in some anti stress drops. Also just keep putting in pellets eventually he will eat em OR u could try another brand...hehehehe

[Levi]

leave the light off and don't feed the first day

leave him alone until tomorrow

[jbeining75]

hes probably just a little stressed from the move, leave the lights off and let him acclimate to his new surroundings.... he should be fine....

[bluekrissyspikes]

betta food is not too good. he'd probably rather have fish flakes or blackworms. he'll come around in a few days. good to see you have a proper tank set up for him! good stuff. post pics!