I have a Betta fish and he seems lonely what should I do?

Question

he keeps trying to get out of his cage he just will not stop it I tell him he needs to stop but he will not listen to me at all I love him and all but he just will not stop it he seems sad when I look at him I'm thinking theis is why he has been jumping out of his cage

Liz kemple

Answer 1

Fish don't get lonely, that's a human emotion. No, he will not listen to you. While he is a living animal and should be well cared for, it's a fish and not really so bright. If he's jumping a lot, try a cover for the bowl or a little floating plant to make him more comfortable.

MM

Answer 2

Stop pretending your fish is a human, it is not. Your betta is not lonely. It may however, not like it's environment. Bettas can be jumpers, you need a top to the aquarium. If he's in a tiny bowl, this may also lead to his desire to escape. Most fish will jump, which is why it's important to have a top on a tank. You can also try getting some floating aquatic plants such as water sprites, which are easy to take care of. My betta hides in the roots and loves them. It may make him feel more comfortable to have a place to hide.

Don't put a mirror up to the tank or put another fish next to him. An aggressive betta will ram itself into the glass and end up seriously hurting itself. Also, all the constant flaring will cause the fish to be stressed, which can make it more prone to injury and illness. If he's in a bowl, and you're new to keeping bettas, you really should get a larger tank. Petsmart usually has 10 gallon tanks for less than 10 dollars. 5 gallons are probably cheaper but I'm not sure. Bettas really need a heater as well. Temperature fluctuations can stress out a fish, and bettas are tropical fish. A heater will keep the temperature stable and provide it with the proper temperature to start with. You can find them online for about 10 dollars as well. A filter would help, but bettas can breathe the air with an organ they have called a labyrinth organ, so as long as you keep up with water changes, it shouldn't be a problem. And, if you add the floating plants I mentioned, that will help to "filter" the tank in a way too. The plants will actually use the harmful byproducts of fish waste as fertilizer, removing it from the water. Floating plants are especially good at doing this because their roots will go down into the water column.

Answer 3

Betta fish are often jumpers, so maybe try a larger bowl and keep the water level at a point where, if he jumps, he can't jump out of the bowl.

Also, NEVER put two male bettas in the same bowl! They will fight to the death.

The mirror works for short amounts of time, but if you leave it there 24/7 he will get stressed from "displaying" constantly.

Male bettas are solitary fish and live in shallow puddles in nature. He's not lonely. They really don't do a whole lot.

If he makes a bubble nest at the top of the bowl (looks kind of like a white, clump of tiny bubbles in one area of the bowl at the water line) you will know he's content.

Answer 4

Just imagine you being put behind bars, confined in a small cell with lousy food...

It's all the same when & how we should treat all living things, plants inclusive, taken away from their natural living habitat.

I could only guess, maybe the living condition for your pet is not idea for him. Maybe you have been feeding him wrong food.

As much as Betta seen as a solitary fish that can live with any male, he still need company. Even neighbour staying beside him would be nice. When the time is right and you are ready, you can introduce a female betta to him.

Cheers and enjoy.

Answer 5

I can't picture what you are seeing, but I would advise against getting a female or any other betta to put in with him. If your tank is large enough I am told you can get dwarf frogs or cory catfish, I don't think that includes upside down catfish but I am not sure. But I do know from my bettas who have happily lived alone, that they like to interact with you. When they are hungry, they sometimes get "angry" and will jolt up and down as if they are yelling at you. That could be what you are seeing. Sometimes they like to "fight" with humans they way they would with another betta (tho this way isn't fatal). Or, maybe you have him in a tiny bowl and he does want out -- I would keep him in at least 2.6 gallons to keep him busy, if not more. Good luck with your baby!

Answer 6

Most betta tanks have a lid so make sure it's on. I used to prop up a mirror next to my betta'a tank. He will see his reflection and think it's another betta. He will fan out his tail and fins beautifully. Male betta's are the pretty one's but don't ever put two together in the same tank or they will fight to the death. Putting a mirror up will give him a new zest for life.

Answer 7

Maybe he's trying to jump into a bowl full of water!
No really beta do fine on their own. What I would do is get another bowl and beta and put it beside him. That gives him something to do and some exercise. He will bow up and display if he sees another beta. Make sure you change his water weekly or he will suffer. Jumping out could mean the water he's in is bad and he's trying to flee from the irritants.

Answer 8

If you want a fish that wont look lonely, dont get a betta. Of course they are going to look lonely in their tiny prisons of fishbowls. But never fear, in the wild Betta's are usually alone in their own little mud puddles, so he's instinctively used to being alone.

Answer 9

LOL
Let him jump. That'll teach him!!!

If you hadn't been joking, I would have said that bettas make great community members as long as they don't meet others of their own kind.

Answer 10

first of all... cage?? I think you mean " tank " or " aquarium " lol...

Try getting a FEMALE Betta to keep him company...