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Post by MarlinsMom on Jan 18, 2004 17:01:30 GMT -5
I've had Marlin for a few months now, and I just bought another Betta and a tank that allows you to divide it into sections. The problem is, Marlin won't stop flaring at the new fish, who completely ignores him. I know flaring is normal, but Marlin won't eat for me, and he seems really agitated by his new neighbor. Is it possible that he just shouldn't be able to see the new fish, or will he get used to it?
Thanks!
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Post by BettaRic on Jan 18, 2004 17:06:53 GMT -5
When you say I "just" bought, you mean how long? It might take a while for Marlin to adapt, as he was there first - someone invading his territory, particularly another male, he might not like that  . You mean that he hasn't eaten at all? |
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Post by MarlinsMom on Jan 18, 2004 17:09:05 GMT -5
I put my babies in the new tank yesterday afternoon.. Marlin hasn't eaten since then.
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Post by Emerson on Jan 18, 2004 18:05:52 GMT -5
Hi,
Welcome to the forum. It might take a day or two for Marlin to get used to his new neighbor. However, it might help if he (and/or the neighbor) has a plant or other decorations he can retreat to when he starts to feel stressed.
Some flaring is normal, but constant flaring is not healthy. I'd keep an eye on it. You don't mention how large the tank is, but is there any way to put some space between them? Or at least put silk plants or other decorations at the divider so that they don't have to look at each other as much?
sef
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Post by MarlinsMom on Jan 18, 2004 18:22:23 GMT -5
I can definitely rearrange the tank so that the plants are by the divider! Thanks for the tip!
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Post by Rielle on Jan 18, 2004 18:53:06 GMT -5
When I divided my 10 gal tank I used two large silk plants to cover the divider. I used suction cups to hold the plants close to the divider so that they wouldn't take up too much room and so that I could make a few select openings for my bettas to see each other through (just had to make sure that there weren't any places where they would get stuck in the plant).
After three or four days they seemed to get used to the idea having each other around, but also liked having the plant there so that they can get some alone time.
Actually, I recently had to take one of my bettas out due to illness. The remaining betta seemed to get depressed because his companion wasn't there anymore. He would lay in the corner where they used to look at eachother and wait for the other guy to show up for the longest time.
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spiff
Junior Bubble Nester
Posts: 228
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Post by spiff on Jan 18, 2004 20:43:20 GMT -5
aww another Marlin  My first betta's name is Marlin as well. Flaring is normal. I have a 10 gallon divided tank with 2m and 1f, and for the first few days they would flare all the time, but now they have calmed down and don't flare as much. Plus, the dividers got really cloudy for some reason so they can't really see each other anymore anyway. I don't know if this happens with all dividers or if mine just sucks. |
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Post by mickey85 on Jan 18, 2004 21:12:26 GMT -5
when I had 3 boys in a divided 10G tank, they flared almost nonstop for 3 weeks or so (except at feeding time, the greedy lil' pigs lol). Then they eventually realized that they couldn't kill their neighbor, so they got over it. how big is the tank? I just had an idea that you could get those plant curtains that you can hang on the back of 10G and 20Long tanks to hang on the dividers...
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Post by MarlinsMom on Jan 18, 2004 23:32:11 GMT -5
Thanks for the speedy replies! The plant curtain is another great idea, I'll have to look into it. I was thinking back to when I first moved Marlin into his new home when I first bought him, and he didn't eat for a while after that, but once he adjusted he ate like a pig. I guess I can try the curtain and wait for him to get used to his new surroundings. Thanks guys!
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My first betta's name is Marlin as well.