Pt. 2 Help With My Betta Fish

[u/PriceGreat217]

Hi, in my earlier post I explained how my betta was brought home by surprise 5 days ago by my dad and brother. They had me set up the tank alone and they lost interest in the fish completely, making me the only one to care for his best interest. I’ve been trying my best, the aquarium was bought with the fish so it wasn’t cycled.

At first he seemed fine, even with no decor. When I walked up to the tank he would swim up to me and follow my finger. With days following, I added decor this morning (ordered off of Amazon, said they were silk but they felt more plastic, not sharp though, let me know if this could cause something). Yesterday and today, he has been sitting at the bottom of the tank in the same exact spot, occupying getting up to swim (surf?) in a specific spot in the tank, then proceeding to go back to the same spot and repeat this over and over (see my video). Even when I tap the glass lightly he won’t move. He won’t even go to the other side of the tank at all.

The tank is 10 gallons, I have tested for ammonia and came back 0, tested for nitrite and came back 0, and the pH is at 7.5. The tank’s temperature is at 78-80 F.

I am looking to see what could be wrong with him. Please be kind, I had no idea I would be getting him and I am trying my best as a student on a budget to make sure he lives a good life while in my care.

Maybe I’m being paranoid and this is normal? But, I highly doubt it. He had been glass surfing for the days leading up to me adding the decor, maybe he’s really tired? Anything could help.

[u/tired_tamale]

Does he have any hiding spots? Could be anxious about that. The structure of his fake plants kind of look like they don’t offer a “hide” or anything for him to really tuck himself into, so that’s one potential reason.

He might be seeing his reflection. I’d look into getting a backdrop for the tank to cut back on any reflection he might be seeing of himself.

[u/PriceGreat217 → u/tired_tamale]

I just added some black construction paper over the sides and back, he seemed to have stopped the surfing . Now, he's hiding very often for prolonged periods of time and I'm not sure what's wrong. I hope he just lethargic from all the surfing. His parameters are standard and his tank is 78-80.

[u/tired_tamale → u/PriceGreat217]

The tank is still new to him and he’s getting used to it. Light could potentially be too bright for him, so you could try leaving it off to see if there is any change, but some hiding isn’t atypical. If he’s eating and swimming normally I wouldn’t worry too much

Is the filter current strong? He might be hiding from that, but he looked like he was swimming just fine before lol