What's up with my new Betta fish?

Question

I just got a new Betta fish (my first). I added him to the tank, and all he has been doing is swimming up to the surface and straight back down to the bottom. When he gets to the bottom, he sticks his "nose" in the aquarium gravel, and then he swims right back up again. Sometimes he adds a circular movement in there.

I've been looking for a reason for this, but I can't find anything. Is he just checking out his surroundings or what?

Tank specs: I put him into a 5 1/2 gallon aquarium with a filter and a heater. Due to the heat wave, the water temperature is a little on the high side (approximately 82-83 F). The filter had been running for a day and half when I put him in, and the water was already conditioned with a conditioner.

Answer 1

if it is a male fish and he is blowing bubbles it is possible that he is telling you that he want to be breed. i would not suggest breeding bettas. it is very hard. but if he is not blowing bubbles he is probably hungry or just looking around like you said.

Answer 2

82-83 isn't actually too bad for a betta, although I keep all of mine at 80.  How did you acclimate him?  He may be stressed from the sudden change in water parameters/temperature.  

I'd just keep an eye on him for now, but it really sounds like stress.

Answer 3

Hmm.  Other than it being on the warm side (and he may not be liking that), the tank sounds alright.  Most heaters I've found though have issues with keeping a tank consistent as far as temperatures go in anything less than 10 gallons.  

Something else to keep in mind is that many of the Bettas you get from most stores are actually older Bettas and may not be as active as a younger one.

You also are going to need to watch out for any infections.  Bettas from most stores are exposed to a multitude of stresses and that can cause them to get all kinds of sicknesses.  

Answer 4

only thing I can think of is iff you did not acclimate him. he might be in shock from going to his room temp water to the warm water of the tank.

if you did let the temps slowly equal out then I'd say he's probably just freaking out from the new surroundings. I'd turn the lights out (on the tank and in the room if possible) so he can relax and settle down.  

Answer 5

He might just be checking out his new surroundings. Give him another day or so to settle in.