FishProfiles.com Message Forums

i have a new betta male in my 5G tank along with several smaller fish (2 small rosy barbs and 2 otocincluses). although he's the king of the tank (the rest are staying out of his way), he keeps to himself, positioning himself in the thick of the plants and under the filter, and only comes out for a short time to the surface.

is that normal?
will he stay that way or is it an acclimation thing?

It is probably just him getting used to the tank, and to the current in the tank. My betta did the same thing when I introduced it to my 29 gallon. It was shy and timid at first, but he is gaining confidence, and isn't even bothered by the strong current!

---

And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

Could be a number of things -- Adaptation to tank conditions as sirbooks suggested... My friend Paul @ www.BiloxiBettas.com advised that some Bettas even had to adjust to more room --- meaning that if they've been raised in smaller quarters and then placed into the larger size tank just that sometimes unsettles them.....
It could also just be the personality of your Betta... I've had very aggressive and active Bettas, but I've also had the loners, the really shy ones, etc....
One thing that does cause me concern is that you mentioned there were 2 rosy barbs in the same tank... I've always heard that barbs are tail nippers - I've never had barbs simply because of this.... You might want to check with others on this combination -- because I know you don't want your Betta Boy to lose his beautiful finnage!

To thine own self be true...

i appreciate your concern.
i did look at them to see if they will bother with the betta. they seem to be completely preoccupied by themselves, and even seem to awe the new guy. they move away if they're in his path.
anyway, i'm trading them for tetras, because they have a nasty taste for ludwigia sprouts.

could just be territorial. does he ever let anyone else into that little area?

For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

yeah, he doesn't chanse anyone away, just ignores the rest. the tank is pretty light on fish right now, so it might change later.

it seems like he's getting better now. he's still spending too much time on the bottom, but now he also makes larger circles in the tank.
he's also very inquisitive. if i open the canope, he's there in a sec, investigating what's going on without the slightest timidness

My betta does that as well. I'm pretty sure he realizes who feeds him, because he has no fear of me, but doesn't flare at me. He'll jump out of the water to take food from my hand if he sees it! I bet your betta is expecting food whenever you open the lid.

---

And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

Yes, I've heard that rosy barbs are nippy as well. Also, they get a few inches long and are schooling.

I wouldn't get tetras when you bring back the barbs. You don't have room in a 5 gallon for a school, expecially not with the other fish in there. I'd just leave it with the betta and ottos.

---

They shade the glow of it with their mossy-misty costumes,
They wear masks of silk, porcelain, brass, and silver,
So as not to mislead with their own, ordinary faces.

i don't think the betta expects food when he comes to see me. i didn't have the chance to feed him long enough for him to connect the dots.
i think he's just curious.