I just got my betta three days ago and he has been very active ever since I put him in the tank. The second day I had him, he built a large bubble nest and it was there for two days. This morning I got up and the nest was still there and then a couple of hours later, I looked in the tank and the entire nest was gone!! My betta is the only fish in the tank. The whole day he has been laying in the plants and comes out every once in awhile to get air, but then goes back into the plants and just lays there. He is in a 5 gal tank, with a filtration, and fake plants. I have checked the water for ammonia, nitrate, etc and everything checks out fine. Is he upset about the nest. He is the only thing that could have destroyed it. Anyone know whats wrong with him?
2007-01-10 09:19:01 · 13 answers · asked by Leah 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
I've owned betta for years, and mine generally live for 2-4 years. (Generally a betta lives for 3-5 years, and is .5-1 year old when bought.) A healthy betta is fairly active, and loves large tanks. In nature these "tiny pond and puddles" are in fact rice paddies covering acres, pond, ditches and slow moving streams. My males are kept in 5 gallon tanks. Every day when I come home, and they see me. They are swimming back and forth. (Basically they've trained me to feed them when they do this.) My females live in a 30 gallon tank, and are more active than most of my other fish in the tank. Active to the degree of leaping out of the tank when going after food in my hand. (Generally only when I don't drop the food fast enough.)
As far as bubblenests. Males tend to do that all the time. If not maintained they fall apart rapidly. Just remember betta are loners. Their only social modes are territorial, and mating. So even male female pairs don't work out well.
It sounds like he is sick or over fed. Go over to bettatalk's disease page, read it, and reexamine your betta. Some diseases like velvet can be subtle if you aren't looking for it.
http://www.bettatalk.com/food.htm
http://www.bettatalk.com/betta_diseases.htm
2007-01-10 12:19:29 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Wrong, betta are very active fish when kept under the right circumstances. The wheather could have just got too cold for him. The filter probably destroyed the bubble nest if it makes a current on the water. He isn't depressed about the nest, he is probably just bored, 5 gallons, or any tank for a long period of time can't be too exciting. good luck.
2007-01-10 09:33:26 · answer #2 · answered by Flames Fan 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have a female betta in a heated 2.5 gallon tank and it is very very active. Perhaps he is depressed that there is no female to actually use the nest. I'm not really sure how to help but if you have a 5 gallon tank, maybe you could add a very very small fish like a few pygmy cory catfish.
2007-01-10 12:03:22 · answer #3 · answered by chamelean75 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. I know. The size of the tank and the air filtration system are the problem. In nature, bettas are found in small mud puddles in rice paddys. They do not live long in big tanks. They also do not do well with air filtration systems.
I've tried several times and they do not live more than a week or 2.
I, now, only put bettas in small bowls with a few rocks and a
small, fake plant.
Bettas are not active fish, by nature. Feed them very sparingly
(twice- 3 times a week is best).
Take him out of the tank. Put him in a small bowl with some bottled water and a few rocks. He'll be fine.
2007-01-10 09:40:25 · answer #4 · answered by txharleygirl1 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
You could go to a breeders sight and look at the symptoms for diseases. Especially if your fish has a bigger belly than normal. Or, he could just be bored. Maybe you can get another betta, (male) and set it for a few minutes each day by eachother's tanks, and that will keep him interested.
2007-01-10 09:28:11 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i don't believe of there is a few thing incorrect consisting of your little guy. because you stated he's energetic and has an urge for food, and that it doesn't seem any fish ailments, he could be ok. do not get me incorrect, keep a watch on him. I relish your devotion to protecting him healthful =) i have had fishies in the previous which have lost colour in a fin. i'm no longer particular what occurs, or why, yet both fish lived for a lengthy time period. one among them for 4 years, and the different for just about 11. good success!
2016-12-28 15:42:20 · answer #6 · answered by senatore 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If he is coming out for air, perhaps there isn't enough air in the water, try adding an air pump.
Do not add mirrors to "liven" him up. This makes him think there are other bettas, and he will get very stressed.
2007-01-10 09:37:57 · answer #7 · answered by allyalexmch 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
when this fish builds a nest ,it is getting ready to put eggs in it from his partner.a male at the right time will rap itself around the female squeezing gently to make eggs come out.it then gathers them in its mouth and deposits them in the bubble nest. could be it was taken away from its mate at some point.if you can try putting a piece a glass in the middle of your aquarium get another fish and watch how lively he will become.
2007-01-10 09:33:03 · answer #8 · answered by johny1punch 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
there can be many things wrong. One is he could be old. Just cause you got him 3 days ago doesn't mean hes 3 days old, he could be a year old. He could also be sick. Good luck!
2007-01-10 09:25:52 · answer #9 · answered by Cutie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yea that fish is fine. they only last around a year, and mabye someone cleaned out the tank while you weren't looking.
2007-01-10 09:25:58 · answer #10 · answered by Russly F 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋