Is this normal? Let's talk about: Bubble nests, jumping, flaring, and activity levels.
Jumping Jumping in bettas is a survival instinct. To understand this, you must understand where bettas originate from. Wild bettas can be found in the harsh environments of Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Malaysia. They can be found in ponds, streams, rice paddies, and even puddles. During the dry season when these bodies of water shrink, the fish need to be able to adapt. So they jump, hoping they will land in a larger body of water. Thanks to their labyrinth organ, they can gulp oxygen from the air, allowing them to survive out of water until their gills dry. Jumping could be a sign that something is wrong.
Excessive Swimming (glass surfing) Bettas patrol their territory, so swimming around their tank and through plants is pretty normal behavior. However, if the fish is excessively "surfing" the sides of the tank, as if trying to find a way out, this is a sign of stress. If left alone, this behavior could lead to jumping.
InactivityBettas can seem like lazy fish. Often they can be found resting on leaves or decor in their tank, and even on the substrate. This is normal in moderation. A fish who rarely swims around could be in trouble.
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