How to prevent stress-related Betta illnesses

[zagora]

I've noticed my betta seems stressed lately, flaring at the glass and not eating much. Tank is 5 gallons, heated to 78, filtered with a sponge. Water changes are 20% weekly. Any tips to help them chill out?

[lordix]

Stressed bettas can be tricky. First, check your water params, especially ammonia and nitrite. Even small spikes can mess with them. Also, how's the flow on that sponge filter? Too strong can stress them out. Try adding some floating plants to give them cover.

[Riven]

I've noticed my betta seems stressed lately, flaring at the glass and not eating much. Tank is 5 gallons, heated to 78, filtered with a sponge. Water changes are 20% weekly. Any tips to help them chill out?

Mine did the same thing until I dimmed the lights. They're not fans of bright light all day. Maybe try a shorter photoperiod or some tannins to darken the water a bit.

[swiftly]

Agree with the tannins idea. Indian almond leaves are great for that. Also, what's your feeding routine? Overfeeding can cause stress too. I stick to 3-4 pellets twice a day, skipping one day a week.

[florin1]

My betta was stressed when I first got them. I added a hiding spot and they calmed down. Maybe try a small cave or something.

[hanksid]

Yeah, bettas need their space. If you've got tankmates, that could be the issue. Mine hated sharing with even a snail. Had to move the snail out.

[Flynet]

Stressed bettas can be tricky. First, check your water params, especially ammonia and nitrite. Even small spikes can mess with them. Also, how's the flow on that sponge filter? Too strong can stress them out. Try adding some floating plants to give them cover.

Yep, flow's a big one. I had to baffle my filter with a sponge to slow it down. Made a huge difference.

[voicer]

Another thing to consider is the tank's location. If it's near a busy area or gets a lot of foot traffic, that can stress them out. Mine's in a quieter spot now and seems much happier.

[mikebank]

I've heard some bettas just flare at their reflection. Maybe try a background on the tank to cut down on the glass mirror effect.

[dervin]

Mine stopped flaring when I moved the tank away from the window. Too much outside movement, I guess.