Betta Sorority - when should I start to worry?

[bettacrazymichelle]

Alright so I set up my sorority night before last... it's 5 girls in a 10 gallon. You can see photos in my album or in my picture thread. The nipping/biting seems to have tapered off, but the runt of the bunch (and also one of the most defensive/aggressive) still isn't eating. She was in rough shape when we got her. She has tried a couple times to nibble, but the pellet just pops out and eventually she swims away (she's a loner and hates being by the other girls, even to eat). I tried feeding her in her little hiding spot, but same deal. I'm worried since she was the one in the ickiest water and who wouldn't eat the night I acclimated them to the tank. I know stress about a new environment can cause this, but when do you start worrying? I have a few piggies in the tank!

:) I appreciate the advice. I've only had single boys before.

[bettacrazymichelle]

Yay! I saw Ruby eat a piece or two this morning. I'm a little less concerned. :)

[7103]

Unfortunately I have no experience with sororities, but I just wanted to say that I'm glad to hear that Ruby is eating, and that hopefully that is a good sign and she will adjust to her new environment. Merry Christmas!

[Bombalurina]

If she is spitting out, it may be that she isn't used to big pellets yet. Try crushed pellets or micropellets. :)
It took my newest girl, Circe, a good few days to get used to all the other girls (she'd come from a different sorority in a tiny tank in a bad petshop, and is half the size of her tankmates) but today she was practically cuddling them. :) Give Ruby some time, but keep an eye on her and have a spare tank ready in case things don't work out. Some girls just aren't meant for sororities.

[bettacrazymichelle]

Well Ruby is doing great now. She's settled into a 2nd in command position and is eating like crazy.

HOWEVER, now I'm having problems with Red, one of the initial submissives. She's just hiding at the bottom. I only see her when she occasionally pops up to breathe. She doesn't come up to eat with the other girls. Her fins are all intact and I've never seen her in any sort of major confrontation with the other girls. She is super quick about going up and down. I think she looks like she's dropping weight a bit too.

Any ideas? I can't try and feed her separately because as I said, I cannot find her. I've never had a fish hide from feeding time before!