Just set up sorority..I have gravel headbutters!

[BettaMama11]

So just put the new ladies in the tank..some nipping here and there but is it normal for them to headbutt into the gravel!?!? anyone else see that with their bettas?? Will try post pics soon!!---Also aside from keeping the lights off, the two smaller girls seem a bit stressed, anything else I can do to alleviate that??

[Gizmothefreaky]

My dark colored girls get stress stripes when they get hungry, lol! I feed them and the stress is gone. ^^;

[BettaMama11]

awww!! thats cute! I had fed them before I put them in the tank :( maybe they're still hungry!?! wont hurt to see lol...thanks =)

[Bombalurina]

Stress stripes are completely normal to begin with. They should settle down eventually. :)

[lexiloo52]

If the stress stripes don't go away and you see the same fish with them time and time again, should you be worried about aggression?

[BettaMama11]

The stress stripes are gone...just fed them but one of the smaller girls guess she was picked on a bit at night...she's hiding away and didn't get any food and now can't find her in the tank...I'm hoping she will be ok...she did have stress stripes tho =(

[Bombalurina]

Originally Posted by lexiloo52

If the stress stripes don't go away and you see the same fish with them time and time again, should you be worried about aggression?

If one girl is constantly presenting stress stripes, watch them for a while to see if she is getting bullied or harassed in any way. If you can't see anything, it could just be that:
a) she's not adjusting well to being in a group
b) she's just a silly stress-head (I have one who is like this, she stresses over nothing)
c) the stripes aren't about stress.

[BettaMama11]

I will keep a look out for her but haven't been able to spot her she's so dark and small! and there are so many spaces for her to hide!! I thought maybe she was stressed because she was picked on during the evening/day when I was at work..would it be a good idea if she doesn't relax to take her out??