Here are 15 real facts that explain why your betta fish can do a headstand. In this article, we have explained all these reasons in detail.

Why is my Betta Fish Doing a Headstand? Betta fish can do headstand due to shock, presence of chlorine, loud noise, polluted water, stress, sleep, excessive nitrates and ammonia, difficulty swimming, casual habits, the temperature of the water, old fish, illness, and inadequate space.

Why is my Betta Fish Doing a Headstand?

Headstand in betta fish is questionable because it does not look normal. Immediately it brings a sense of fear and discomfort in the owner. The sight is not excellent for the eyes, and it seems like the fish is not doing well.

There are multiple reasons which force a fish to do a headstand inside the aquarium. These are delicate naturally, and they try hard to swim in all types of the environment, but sometimes it happens.

Due to shock

Shock is one of the huge reasons for this head bend in the fish, and multiple factors cause shock in them. They are tiny naturally with a small body and a single chamber heart. A single tap on the walls of the aquariums brings fear in them.

It happens suddenly to the fish tries to hide. In the process, they try to bend the body and move in some corner. The whole processing turns into bending of the head. They keep themselves in the same position for a certain period, and it brings safety to them.

They try to portray themselves as dead fish because of the feeling of danger. A fish gets normal after a few minutes when it realizes that the harm is no more there around the aquarium.

A sudden change of water

They are friendly to the water and a casual environment inside the water tank. The water is a habitat for the species, where they live and survive. They get attached to it in all aspects and feed themselves inside the water with all essential nutrients.

People tend to change the water of their homes and other aquariums every three to four days. Few people change the water every day, and this is not the best environment for the fish.

A sudden change of water disturbs the betta fish. They move in all over the tank to get the old comfort, and they bend upside down. The keeps ongoing for at least that much time until they get comfortable in new water.

Presence of chlorine

The aquariums should not contain chlorine water in them. Long-stay of chlorine water in the tank causes various syndromes in the fish. They start behaving odd that is abnormal in seeing. The tony body of the betta fish suddenly turns in a downward direction.

The head touches the bottom plants and another water base. It’s a headstand for the fish to allow a sign that there is something in the tank that is not good.

Mostly the owners realize the problem, and then they check the ester for chlorine. The removal of such water is essential because the fish dies.

An aquarium filled with plants

The aquariums are mostly with plants now a day, and these plants are necessary for the wellbeing of fish. The plant and their shrubs get old with time. The resultant form causes harm to the fish, and it results in allergies and disease.

The betta species does a head bend to save itself from touching the plants of the water tank. They protect themselves from irritation on their body, and changing the plants is the only solution in such a situation.

Always take care of nature and the appearance of the environment. It helps the fish to get back in its original and flat position. You can add sand or gravel to the aquarium.

Loud noise in the surrounding

They do not bear excessive sounds and loud sounds. Make sure there is no continuous music or any other sound near water. It causes fear and irritation, and sometimes it reaches shocking conditions.

Suddenly it bends and tries to lie down on the grounding area of the tank. They try to hide their bodies to protect themselves from danger.

The removal of a sound source around the tank makes them comfortable. Notice the postures of the betta fish and change the external conditions immediately.

Polluted water

The pollution of water inside the aquarium is due to the dirt and dust from the surrounding. The water gets rough, and it loses its freshness and appearance. The tiny creatures start feeling uncomfortable in such a situation.

They start behaving oddly and perform a stand on their head and your fish will act crazy. Sometimes the smashing is so hard that they die on the spot.

Changing the toxin, replacing water with a clean one is the solution to such problems, and it allows safety and a better and suitable environment for them. Never change water suddenly, and keep it in control.

Faulty Aquarium Filters

There are built-in filters inside the structure of the water box. They are not strong naturally, but they have a continuously flowing current inside them. In those cases, when the fish is not feeling relaxing, and it is bending its body, then it may be due to an excessive amount of current through the filters.

It runs inside the water and spread all over because water has that current catching capacity. It leads to penetration of electric current inside the body of the betta.

Usually, it bends towards the bottom and gravel area. It tries to protect itself and get rid of the electric current. Use some media covers all over the filters and restrain the passing of electricity. You can see different methods to oxygenate the fish tank without a pump.

Due to Stress

Several diseases cause the abnormal positioning of the fish. In the situations when the fish moves in the down direction over and over again, it means it is sick. Get it out in some other tank or water bowl. Betta fish are good pets and you should take care of them.

The female fish with a belly in swollen form means it has eggs inside, and it is a stressful condition for them. Sometimes they lay eggs on their own but in few circumstances, and it gets abnormal.

Infections inside the body also lead to bending of the head to the base of the home. Remove the source of stress from the body, and it immediately feels relax and does not bend all over again.

During Sleep

They move inside the tank all the time, and swimming is everything for them. It makes fish tiring and develops lazy behavior, and require sleep. In case someone keeps taping the water home, or there is some other distraction, it causes frustration in them.

They keep themselves awake, but they are lethargic. The balancing of the body becomes a difficult task for them. They move downward and fish stay on the bottom of the tank and make themselves comfortable and betta fish can do a headstand.

It is not an alarming sign and when you notice it, tries to leave the species alone. Keep the lights dim, and if they put themselves on the bottom, and allow them to sleep.

Excessive nitrates and ammonia

The extra amount of nitrates and ammonia in the water is not best for the health of fish. Water is the oxygen source, and in such situations, they inhale ammonia rather than fresh oxygen. The gills of the fish start feeling pain and irritation and you may notice that your betta fish is doing a headstand.

It lends itself to relieve this pain, and it continues for more than one hour. Check the level of ammonia and nitrates in water.

Eliminate such toxic materials and see the changes in the positioning of their body. It is not a normal condition in case of poisoning, remove the water, and keep the fish in other fresh space.

Difficult swimming

Swimming is the only thing which the fish keep on doing every time. They bend themselves due to difficulty in the process. Try to find out the reason and treat it, it relieves the pain, and the act becomes normal.

Normal habits

Sometimes they perform this activity casually. There is no specific reason behind it, and it is not toxic. Leave the fish for a few minutes, and they get normal again.

Temperature of water

Abnormally hot and cold water is not suitable for the gills of betta fish. They go for a headstand to moderate their body temperature. Check it now and then and try to keep it in moderate condition.

Old fish

Age is a factor for this type of activity, and fish rotate their bodies in opposite directions than casual. They try to lie down and sleep all the time.

Inadequate space

Some water tanks have inadequate space, or they are much crowded. Lesser space make changes inside the body of the species. They roll and bend due to a lack of accommodation and it resembles doing a headstand.