Are my Bettas depressed in the cold?

Question

I have 4 bettas, all in different tanks. Since the winter came, it's been cold in my house so the Bettas don't move anymore, I know they're not dead because they move when I clean their tanks. So what should I do for them to start to be active again like in the summer?

Oh, and I know they like the warm but everytime I put them in normal-warm water, they panic and go crazy.

Where can I get them a heater for each one of them?

Thanks a lot Nunya, my tanks are kind of small, about the size of a Big cup from Burger King.

Oh yea, another question, do I put the heater inside the tank, and does it work for 1/4 gallon tanks?

2 of my tanks are half gallon, the other 2 are quarter gallon. Oh and where can I get that big tank with the dividers?

I just bought my 10 gallon tank, now I just need the dividers; so now I want to know, how do the dividers work? How do they stick on the glass?

Answer 1

They're cold! In temperatures below 74 degrees, bettas get listless and are much more vulnerable to ick. What kind of tanks do you have them in? If they're in bowls, I don't think you can put a heater in. Your bettas would be so much happier in tanks with heaters so that their temperatures are more stable. You can even get dividers so you can put all 4 in one tank if need be. Please look into it.

EDIT: Sorry it took me so long to respond. Here's what I found re the tank dividers. You probably need to buy a 10 gal tank at a petstore, along with the filter and heater. Call around and see if you can find a petstore that sells the dividers locally because that would be easiest. My websearch showed that Petsmart and Petco keep em in stock. If you can't find them, though I found this:

Here's a page with different kinds of tank dividers for sale. After measuring your tank, click on the Buy/Details to see the dimensions.
http://www.aquariumpros.com/c-HItd.html
and
http://www.nextag.com/aquarium-divider-tank/search-html

You can also DIY it with plexiglass and craft store plastic canvas. Here's a good how-to: http://www.fishforums.net/lofiversion/index.php/t101204.html
(though after reading it through, I don't see any reason why you couldn't just use the canvas... it would be cheaper and easier. But you'd still have to silicone it so your bettas wouldn't try to wiggle through and end up impaling themselves.)

Answer 2

Bettas are tropical fish and need to live in warm water all the time. It is also important to keep the water temperature at a steady level, not let it vary too much. You didn't mention how big your tanks are--if they are 1 gal or more, buy good quality submergible heaters (not the kind that hangs over the top edge of the tank). When we have juvvies growing out in small tanks, we stick as many small tanks as will fit in our 10 and 20 gal. tanks then fill the 10/20g tanks partially with water (the sm tanks inside should NOT float), and stick in one heater in the 10/20g tanks to heat all the tanks inside--every day check to make sure the water level in the big tank hasn't evaporated too much (top off when necessary). A lid on the big tank also keeps the heat contained inside and keeps the evaporation down too.

Answer 3

no, they don't make them for that small of a tank, and you shouldn't keep them in that small of a tank. they don't make heaters for less than 5 gallon. you shouldn't have your bettas in less than a gallon, 5 gallons with a filter and heater is ideal. keeping them in 1/4 gallon is cruel. most poeple don't realize bettas like big tanks like any other fish and feel cramped in small tanks. they do live in ride paddies with murky water, but that doesn't mean anything we give them is better. they have a whole territory in the wild, and an ecosystem that makes the water okay. ammonia and other things built up in small tanks very fast, it's just not right to keep them in such small things. I know it tanks up more room but if you have the space get at least a gallon tank for each. they have triangular tanks at walmart that if you get four you can put them together and it looks like one tank. if you can't get 5 gallons for each which would mean you can't get a heater for each try putting them somewhere warmer.

Answer 4

Either get them all a heater or move them to a warmer place in the house, they not only like the warmer water but they actually need it since they are tropical fish, in cooler water their immune system lowers and they get get sick more easily. When you put them in warmer water are you getting them used to it first or just putting them right in it? If you are just putting them right in it you can cause them to go into shock, even if you are getting them used to it since the water doesn't stay that warm it is actually worse then them being in a stable temp.

I don't know what size tanks they are but if they are around 2-5 gallons Hydor makes a mini heater, I'll get get you a link. http://www.thatpetplace.com/Products/KW/F54B%40/Class/Aquarium+Heaters/T1/F54BA+0418+0016/EDP/44886/Itemdy00.aspx

Answer 5

Not emotionally necesarilly, but physically. Fish do not internally regulate temperature, they are the temperature of the water around them. Being tropical their bodies are adapted for warm water, without it their blood pressure decreases and they get sluggish. Warm the water and he'll perk right up.

Answer 6

Try to keep them warmer. Bettas area tropical fish and should have a water temp of at least 74. If they get too cold they will not eat well.