Betta swimming crazy...is this something to worry about?

[Julio1983]

Hi everyone im back!

So this morning when i woke up, i turned the light on in Julios 3.4 litre tank (yes i know this is very small, he is being upgraded on the weekend :) )
And he went CRAZY!!!!
He was swimming really erratically and at one point it was like he lost his "balance" or was dizzy or something (you know when you stumble if you are feeling light headed and you kind of go sideways?)
He seemed pretty freaked, then he hit himself into the side of the tank!! I freaked out :(
I turned his light off and he seemed to calm down a bit...

Could the light irritate him in such a small space? or is he sick?
Last water change i did was 100% on tuesday night, i was going to do a 50% tomorrow (friday).
His tank is heated and sits at about 24-26 degrees.
I dont have any water testing kits yet, i was going to pick one up over the weekend when i got his new tank.

Poor little guy, i felt bad leaving this morning as i had to go to work...

[eatmice2010]

it could be the light just startled him.

[Julio1983]

i think it might be... ever since we put the light on the tank he goes nuts!
i dont want to stress him out

[asukabetta]

you can reduce the amount of light by blocking it with floating plants or perhaps when you upgrade him you will add some more hiding places so he can hide from the light.

[Julio1983]

i will add more decorations for sure when we upgrade him...
the tank he is now is so small i feel like its overcrowded and all it has is one silk plant and a heater

[Otterfun]

Fred was startled by the click sound when I turned on the AQ light. So now, I lift up the cover to turn on the light. It's much easier on him.

Also when the light is on, he rests on the leave hammock or sleeps in a corner with his best bud, Moses the Marimo Moss.

[Julio1983]

Thats a good idea also :) thank you
I guess my main concern is that he was sick or something...

if its something as simple as being startled by the light its an easy fix :)

[Julio1983]

ok so i removed the light and he seems to have chilled a bit...
Although he still swims crazy whenever he sees me...
My husband said maybe hes like a dog that gets excited when he sees his owner...

[asukabetta]

Usually betta issues are simple little things :) Only when it does not fix with small changes must you begin to worry XD and yes bettas do get excited lol

[Julio1983]

oh well good to know that they get excited... i just thought i had chosen a fish with mental problems!! hehe