Betta behaviour

[RomyD85]

is this normal behaviour for a betta male fighter?

 

[duanes]

Did you cycle your tank, either with very few fish, or using ammonia before adding fish? Or, did you use seasoned media in the filter?
How long has the tank been set up?

 

[RomyD85]

Did you cycle your tank, either with very few fish, or using ammonia before adding fish? Or, did you use seasoned media in the filter?
How long has the tank been set up?

i never cycled my tank as i was told i dont need to by an untrustworthy fish shop worker. i have only put Fluval conditioner and biological enhancer in my fish tank following the instructions on the bottle and i waited 5 days after before getting my fish. although i am returning to the fish shop as i placed him in a tank with a bgk and four guppies and he is a slow swimmer and they keep nipping him - unfortunately i cannot isolate him as i dont have the money for another tank so i’ll take him back and wait until i can afford another tank before investing in another one. i learnt about water cycling and have ordered an API kit which is coming tomorrow and im going to test the water before and after a water change. hopefully my bgk and guppies will be okay now its just them in the tank. do i need to watch out for anything?

 

[duanes]

It usually takes at least 1 month to 6 weeks is cycled, and before a tank is ready for more than a few "tiny" fish, unless you use already cycled filter media, and/or substrate.
Cycling is needed, because in a new tank, you will "not" have a large enough population of beneficial bacteria to use the ammonia constantly produce as waste from the fish.
You should probably be doing daily partial water changes to dilute the rising ammonia and nitrite. The "good " bacteria are not planktonic so don't worry about removing them with water changes.
If you don't, expect more fish to flounder like the betta, who is probably being poisoned by rising ammonia.

 

[RomyD85]

It usually takes at least 1 month to 6 weeks is cycled, and before a tank is ready for more than a few "tiny" fish, unless you use already cycled filter media, and/or substrate.
Cycling is needed, because in a new tank, you will "not" have a large enough population of beneficial bacteria to use the ammonia constantly produce as waste from the fish.
You should probably be doing daily partial water changes to dilute the rising ammonia and nitrite. The "good " bacteria are not planktonic so don't worry about removing them with water changes.
If you don't, expect more fish to flounder like the betta, who is probably being poisoned by rising ammonia.

thank you very much! im taking a sample of my water to the pet shop now so i’ll probably have to start again :/ but thats okay - thank you

 

[skjl47]

Hello; As I stated in your other post about this betta, A fish can be isolated in a hurry by suspending a dip net. I can usually find a way to position a net so there is enough room for one fish. That way the fish can no longer be attacked. A betta must be able to get to the surface.

 

[duanes]

thank you very much! im taking a sample of my water to the pet shop now so i’ll probably have to start again :/ but thats okay - thank you

Starting over? Cycling takes time, If it isn't cycled yet, you don't start over, you continue until its fully cycled, then you begin adding fish you want.
Most people who start from scratch, should realize, you first tank mates are sacrificial, and you'd be lucky to have any survive the initial cycle.