Female stressed(?) when she sees humans

[irishcreep]

I have a female betta at work in a 5 gallon NPT. If I peek my head around the corner, she's just chilling, acting naturally. If she sees me, she doesn't hide, but she does get stress stripes and her wild type color fades, even on her fins.

What can I do to help her out, or is this just one of those things?

[asukabetta]

Originally Posted by irishcreep

I have a female betta at work in a 5 gallon NPT. If I peek my head around the corner, she's just chilling, acting naturally. If she sees me, she doesn't hide, but she does get stress stripes and her wild type color fades, even on her fins.

What can I do to help her out, or is this just one of those things?

I think it's a sign of sexual maturity, I'm not sure though.

[sainthogan]

Which directions are her stripes? Vertical are breeding stripes, horizontal are stress stripes? If they're vertical, there's not really much you can do. But if they're horizontal, you can help by adding more places for her to hide and approaching the tank slowly to not startle her. You can also check the lighting situation, it's possible the lighting is causing her to see her reflection imposed on you, which may make her think you are a VERY giant Betta coming to get her.

[irishcreep]

She gets horizontal stripes, and then pretty much turns completely flesh colored. I took your advice and added a lot more plants and put a bunch of floaters on top that she could hide in. I'll probably pick up a little pot or hidey hole or something for her today as well. Thanks.