My Betta is going insane today

[mvigor]

I bought a small tank for my desk at work to hold a betta. It's a 2 gallon unfiltered tank. My betta has been in the tank for about 10 days now and he's starting to do something new.

He had ignored his own reflection up until now, but today he's been fighting with himself reflected in the plastic until he's all worn out.

Do I need to get him a rectangular tank to avoid the mirror effect on the inside?

 

[Holly9937]

He should calm down a bit, so I wouldn't worry about that. Plus once it gets dark in the office (assuming it does) he will have a harder time seeing his reflection to fight with. However, a word of caution, you might consider getting a small filter or (I don't think) the tank will ever be able to cycle, since there won't be a whole lot for bacteria to build up on. Bettas fins can be pretty delicate to amonia and nitrites, so you want to do at least 50% water changes daily, or I'm afraid he might not last long. There have been some good threads on here about bettas lately, and there are stickys in the newbie forum, you might want to check them out if you're not already familiar with this stuff! Good luck with the new fish :clap:

 

[Emg]

A 2 gallon tank with one fish in it should be fine to do a 1/3 - 1/2 water change once or twice a week. Don't need to do 50% every day.

Also, it's when it's dark in the room and you have a light on over the tank that the betta can really get a good look at himself....lol.. I have one that spars with himself every night when I turn the room light off. Your betta should be fine.

 

[Holly9937]

Emg, even in an unfiltered and (presumably) uncycled tank? I'm not questioning you, but I thought in that small of a tank the levels would rise very quickly w/out more water changes? Thanks

 

[Oddball~]

Hmm, if it's not cycled, I would also do 50% water changes daily for a coupla weeks, too.