In my community tank I have 2 healthy happy betta females who were both introduced to the tank within days of each other. I was hoping to add another female to their sorority and found one I really loved the colors and markings of at a local store. I brought the new fish home, did the acclimation thing, placed her into the tank and things at first looked normal. She was a bit shy and nervous, there was a tiny bit of what looked to me like normal hierarchy mild chasing, and after an hour or so I wandered off for lunch. When I came back the new betta girl was deer-in-headlights frozen to the point I mistook her for dead, and ALL the other fish in the tank were nipping at her like... well, like fish eat at a dead fish. I still had her cup of water handy so I literally picked her out with my fingers and plopped her back in, and after a few seconds she started moving again, tho clearly stressed to the max (tail tight shut, fins close to body, trying to hide in crevasses of cup). I took her back to the store and made sure they knew she might need additional care.
I guess my question is... is this normal? Does an established sororoity of bettas often attack a newcommer? Is there a safer and better way to introduce a new betta to a sorority?
I guess my question is... is this normal? Does an established sororoity of bettas often attack a newcommer? Is there a safer and better way to introduce a new betta to a sorority?
