shy new betta

[Bubsymamma]

After 4 years my darling Bubsy has passed on. As I've had bettas ever since I was a kid I got another one now named Steve. However Steve is very shy and spends all his time hiding next to the heater or hiding under the water intake. He won't eat nor will he come out from his hiding place. Bubsy liked to sleep on the various ledges and caves in the take but this fish is very shy.

He's only been with me for a couple days. The water is the temp my past fish have liked (80) and the water tests are coming up fine. I've offered Steve brine shrimp and regular betta chow but he seems too scared to eat. Any suggestions? Anybody else have a shy betta like this? He was full of energy and action in his cup when I got him but now that he's in a large tank he doesn't know what to do with himself

Worried about Steve

[dramaqueen]

I wouldn't worry too much about him. A lot of bettas are like that when they are first brought home.Give him some time and keep offering him food. Maybe try some freeze dried bloodworms.

[tnicholas1970]

yeah just let him get comfortable with the tank then he should be fine if not then.......

[Bubsymamma]

I do have some blood worms, I'll try that tonight and see if he wants any.

[ifish]

yeah bloodworms are the trick hes worrying me to please long live steve

[MrVampire181]

Bloodworms change EVERYTHING, flakes just get you killed :P

[ifish]

i like flackes and so dose my fish there easy for me and the pellets are more expensive

[dramaqueen]

I find flakes too messy. My fish let them sink to the bottom.

[Bubsymamma]

I've always used the betta kibbles, not the flakes. I have some flakes from when my betta was in a community tank with a platy or two but every betta I've kept has liked the same type of kibbles. Bubsy didn't like the blood worms, maybe they were too big for him. I'll try offering some to steve and see if he wants any. Right now he just seems to want to loaf in the top corner and ignore me.

[dramaqueen]

Drop a bloodworm in front of his little nose and see if he takes it.