Betta fish are one of the most popular aquarium pets. They come in a wide variety of colors, shapes and sizes. But sadly, they can sometimes become stressed and diseased due to poor care or neglect from owners. In this article, we will go over some signs that your Betta is suffering from stress as well as what you should do if it is indeed suffering from stress and how to prevent Stressed Betta Fish.
Table of Contents
What Stresses A Betta Fish?
Many factors can cause stress in Bettas. Some of the most common causes include having too small an aquarium, not enough hiding places for your betta fish for sale to feel safe and secure, lack of clean water, or simply being kept by yourself (solitary confinement).
What Are The Signs Of Betta Fish Stressed?
Lethargy
A very clear sign that your fish is suffering from stress or disease is lethargy. If you notice your pet sitting at the bottom of its tank, barely moving, you may be sick or stressed. This will usually happen when their living conditions become poor such as if there aren’t enough hiding places available to them due to overstocking etc. Also, keep in mind that Bettas don’t like to be startled, and if you scare them or make sudden movements around their tank, they will become scared, which can cause the same effects as stress.
Irritability
Sometimes your Betta fish may show signs of irritability when in reality, it is suffering from a disease such as velvet, fin rot, etc. If this is the case, other symptoms should also be present, including visible wounds on its fins or body due to scratching itself against objects in its aquarium out of irritation. The best thing you can do for a sick/diseased Betta is to take it to an experienced fish vet so they can properly diagnose what’s wrong with your pet and how much damage has been done already.
Inactivity
As stated before, lethargy is a very clear sign that your Betta is suffering from something. Usually, when you notice inactivity on the part of your pet, then it’s time to move them into a hospital tank so they can be monitored closely and given proper treatment if necessary. This will prevent further damage to their immune system, which may cause more harm than good at this point. If your fish isn’t eating for an extended period of time or not doing anything, it should see a vet ASAP.
Cloudy Eyes
Another common sign that some Bettas display is cloudy eyes due to bacterial infections etc. Most often, cloudiness occurs around one eye, but sometimes both depending on what type of infection has occurred. When left untreated long enough, this can cause a loss of sight and eventually death.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many signs that your Betta fish may be suffering from stress or disease. Sadly sometimes it isn’t always clear, but if you have been noticing these symptoms, then the best thing would be to contact an experienced Veterinarian ASAP so they can diagnose what’s wrong with your pet and how much damage has already been done etc.
In most cases, sick/stressed Bettas don’t make full recoveries, sadly enough due to their weak immune systems, which is why preventative care is crucial for any successful aquarium hobbyist.