My Betta fish is depressed. He just lays around on his plant all the time and eats just a itty bit.Any ideas?

Answer 1

have you done your weekly water change?

maybe he is cold?

you need a small heater in the tank, also remember they do not like flowing water- they will stay on the bottom to get away from the turbulence.

Answer 2

Bettas do best in a tank that is five gallons or more. You can keep them in a three gallon tank, but it is more difficult to keep the water the right temp. Read up about the nitrogen cycle before you put your fish in a new home. The water should be heated to 80 degree F. And filtered. My betta is sitting on my desk next to me in a five gallon tank. He lives with a dwarf sucker fish and they get along. Bettas sometimes don't do well with fish, but as long as the other fish isn't agressive, brightly colored, or has long fins, it is usually okay.

until you can get your betta out of a bowl and into a tank, do daily or every other day water changes and add stress coat to the water.

Bettas can also get constipated. buy a bag of frozen peas. put one in the microwave for 30 seconds, peel it and cut it into tiny pieces.. about the same size as a betta pellet. Feed a few peices to your betta, do this once a week and it should help keep him from getting constipated.

Good luck~

Answer 3

Okay he might not be depressed but this may be a sign of ich, this is a disease that spreads among fish, look to see if u see some white stuff on ur fishs' body liek little air bubbles, those are little parasites sucking on ur fishs blood. they usually come when ur fish gets, scared, cold, too hot or the water isnt clean so bring it to the vet there are some medicines that can help but some are too strong and can kill the fish and since beta's are small fish it might be too overpowering so try changing the water or bringing to the vet to see what can be done.

Answer 4

Mine was acting that way and I wrote a column (I am a news reporter/columnist for a small daily) and a friend read about my depressed betta. She brought him some scenery like you put behind an aquarium and I swear it made a difference. I got him a plant as well and he is happy now!

Answer 5

Get him one of those little rock houses to go in and out of!!! :0) He'll have something more to do!! --> I would also say give him a girl betta fish but that usually doesnt work out for long!!! and then the girl one wont be happy!!!

Answer 6

Try giving it a frozen green pea, it will play with it and enjoy it. Mine was looking pretty grim and sad, I read somewhere on the Internet to give it a green pea, they like them, but take it out when they are through with it, in a few hours. Remember just to feed them once a day, no more and keep their tank clean, wash it once or twice a week. Good luck

Answer 7

Move him into a bigger bowl, but whatever you do DO NOT put another fish in the same bowl because he'll kill it or gets killed. Try moving your finger around a bit. Maybe he needs more healthier food or cleanier water. Perhaps he's sick and has that fish sickness called ick. Take him to a pet store and ask somebody.

Answer 8

My brother & I used to each have a betta fish, too. That's basically all they do, swim a bit & look glum. I have no idea how to make them happy -- If I put the two tanks (each fish is suppose to have its own tank) next to each other, then the fighting fins are out! Then they died. My brother overfed his (pouring 1/5 the canister into the water!) & I always forgot to feed mine. :(

Answer 9

Maybe you shoudn't KEEP HIM IN A LITTLE GLASS BOWL! I'M SURE YOU'D THINK THAT WAS BORING! I keep my betta in a community tank, and despite all rumors betta fish are only aggresive to eachother, not other fish.

Answer 10

go to the tank every so often and talk to it and make happy faces at him /her. interact with the little guy. , keep tank clean and warm, feed it pellets in opose to flakes.
do not use soap/cleaning products when cleaning tank.
do learn about ur fish, knows its likes and dislikes and everything will be fine. good luck :-)