Who Gives A Fish Forums

I've noticed my betta has been acting lethargic and hiding more than usual. Water params are good, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 10 nitrate. Tank is 5 gallons, heated to 78F, with a sponge filter. Any ideas what could be stressing him out?

Stress can come from a lot of things. How's the flow on that sponge filter? Bettas don't like strong currents. Also, any tankmates? Even snails can sometimes mess with their vibe.

aquabug wrote: ↑Wed Jul 30, 2025 6:55 am Stress can come from a lot of things. How's the flow on that sponge filter? Bettas don't like strong currents. Also, any tankmates? Even snails can sometimes mess with their vibe.

I agree. I'd check the flow first. My betta was stressed until I baffled the filter output with a sponge.

Mine got sketchy after I added a new decoration. Turns out the paint was leaching something. Maybe check if anything new went into the tank?

Lighting could be a factor too. Is the tank near a window or do you have bright lights on for long hours? Bettas prefer dimmer, more natural light cycles.

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. I'll try reducing the flow and see if that helps. No new decorations or tankmates, just him and a few plants.

Yep, flow's a big one. Also, how often do you do water changes? Even with good params, buildup can stress them out. I do 20% weekly in my 5 gal.

Mine was like that until I added more hiding spots. Floating plants and a betta hammock made a huge difference. They like to feel secure.

buddyo wrote: ↑Wed Jul 30, 2025 2:29 pm Mine was like that until I added more hiding spots. Floating plants and a betta hammock made a huge difference. They like to feel secure.

Same here! My dude chills under his hammock all day. It's like his safe space.

Could be the water temp fluctuating too much. What kinda heater you got? Some of the cheap ones don't hold steady.