Vertical stripes on male betta!?

[ChristinaN46789]

I have a 1 year old male betta named Prince. In the morning or when he is awake he has blackish scales and blue fins. At night or when he is sleeping He is pale-ish orange. Today I accidentally hit his tank. Luckily it didn't fall bu he freaked out and ran aroind his tank a few times then stopped. Now he has these odd black vertical stripes and the rest of his body is not black. His breathing is rapid and he isn't moving! . I don't have a clue whats wrong with him! I think he is shock but instead of horizontal stripes they are vertical. Someone please help me! He has been like this for the pass hour!

[Sena Hansler]

Horizontal stripes are for stress.

While the vertical stripes you are seeing are "submission" stripes. Submitting to that which has scared him.

Think of what he felt - hitting the tank caused massive vibrations and water displacement. It would be like someone shoving you over but not before letting an air horn blare near your ears. He would definitely be in shock.

Did anything smack into him, or did he smack against the side of the tank or objects in the tank?

[anthonyt20]

I bought a betta from petco who completely hates me lol. but when i take him out from his tank he shows those signs so i guess he's also scared of me.

[Sena Hansler]

Just submitting :) it's a "don't hurt me!" approach xD