Re: Betta "just sits there"

[luminos]

You can try putting a small mirror on a side of the tank so he can see
himself.....he should respond vigorously! If not, you have a real problem.
They do get bored without something to react to.


"Gwen Morse" > wrote in message
...
> I bought my son a betta just over a month ago, and I'm finding his
> behavior a bit puzzling.
>
> He just sort of 'sits' on rocks on the bottom of the tank. He'll
> occasionally move from spot to spot, but, generally, that's the way he
> spends his day.
>
> If we open the top of the tank for feeding or turn on the light, he'll
> swim around quite vigorously.
>
> For want of a better description, he seems "bored". He doesn't seem
> sick. His tank is clean and his scales are quite bright and his fins
> are frilly and he _can_ be quite active when stimulation is provided.
>
> I threw three snails in the tank (who seem to be happily co-existing
> with him). He's got some hidey-holes (a fake plant and a tower-like
> resin pagoda).
>
> Does he need...uhhh...company? Other fish? Could this be a sign of
> illness even if he does otherwise look 'well'? Or, is this what betta
> do?
>
> Gwen

[NetMax]

"Gwen Morse" > wrote in message
...
> I bought my son a betta just over a month ago, and I'm finding his
> behavior a bit puzzling.
>
> He just sort of 'sits' on rocks on the bottom of the tank. He'll
> occasionally move from spot to spot, but, generally, that's the way he
> spends his day.
>
> If we open the top of the tank for feeding or turn on the light, he'll
> swim around quite vigorously.
>
> For want of a better description, he seems "bored". He doesn't seem
> sick. His tank is clean and his scales are quite bright and his fins
> are frilly and he _can_ be quite active when stimulation is provided.
>
> I threw three snails in the tank (who seem to be happily co-existing
> with him). He's got some hidey-holes (a fake plant and a tower-like
> resin pagoda).
>
> Does he need...uhhh...company? Other fish? Could this be a sign of
> illness even if he does otherwise look 'well'? Or, is this what betta
> do?
>
> Gwen

Sometimes, that's what they do, and yes, he might be bored. While tetras
and danios are quite content to bounce back & forth, carnivore fish (just
like carnivore land animals) are deeper thinkers, having to plan stealth
into their attacks and weigh the consequences of battle. There isn't a
whole lot of stealth & battle going on when your only company is a trio
of snails ;~) Water temperature might also be a bit cool (this slows
them down significantly).
--
http://www.netmax.tk/

[PurityFailed]

I'll add another bit of oomph to the ol' mirror suggestion. My little guy was
pretty interested in his new tank and investigating for a few weeks (kept
changing around his decor), but then just sulked in his cave most of the day.

Popped a mirror on the side of the tank and suddenly everything's interesting
to him again. He'll flare at his image, then investigate his tank and rush
back up to flare again. Go take a bite of food, flare and investigate. I've
taken to removing the mirror when lights go out and replacing it after I get
home from work so he has some 'down time'. Interestingly enough, he's back to
investigating his tank when the mirror's not up. Maybe looking for his
nemesis? :)

Happy Trails,
Jessica
-Yet another baffled victim of a fish that decided to go MIA.

[Jim]

On Sat, 01 May 2004 23:07:17 -0400, Gwen Morse
> wrote:

>I bought my son a betta just over a month ago, and I'm finding his
>behavior a bit puzzling.
>
>He just sort of 'sits' on rocks on the bottom of the tank. He'll
>occasionally move from spot to spot, but, generally, that's the way he
>spends his day.
>
>If we open the top of the tank for feeding or turn on the light, he'll
>swim around quite vigorously.
>
>For want of a better description, he seems "bored". He doesn't seem
>sick. His tank is clean and his scales are quite bright and his fins
>are frilly and he _can_ be quite active when stimulation is provided.
>
>I threw three snails in the tank (who seem to be happily co-existing
>with him). He's got some hidey-holes (a fake plant and a tower-like
>resin pagoda).
>
>Does he need...uhhh...company? Other fish? Could this be a sign of
>illness even if he does otherwise look 'well'? Or, is this what betta
>do?
>
>Gwen

Gwen, Someone else mentioned water temperature. My son had his at
around 75F and the fish was rather "slow". When we put the temperature
up to about 80F, he became much more active. Quick to react when
someone came into the room, even sort of fun to play with.

Jim

[RedForeman ©®]

> For want of a better description, he seems "bored". He doesn't seem
> sick. His tank is clean and his scales are quite bright and his fins
> are frilly and he _can_ be quite active when stimulation is provided.

He's probably bored... does anyone ever go to the tank and interact with
him?? I've got a 5g in my bathroom, and Bob, he loves to see people, what
better place for him to be?

--
RedForeman ©® future fabricator and creator of a ratbike
streetfighter!!! ==========================
2003 TRX450ES
1992 TRX-350 XX (For Sale)
'98 Tacoma Ext Cab 4X4 Lifted....
==========================
ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤° `°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø


is that better??

[IDzine01]

"luminos" > wrote in message >...
> You can try putting a small mirror on a side of the tank so he can see
> himself.....he should respond vigorously! If not, you have a real problem.
> They do get bored without something to react to.

Hey Gwen,
Showing a betta his reflection is ok when he's healthy but can cause
further stress in an already stressed betta. Lethargy is usually a
sign of other problems. I'm not really convinced that betta's get
"bored". Unless he was sleeping, he should be active even if you're
not playing with him. First, I'd check to make sure the water
temperature is stable and between 75F (min) and 80*F.
Also, what size is the tank?
Is it cycled or are you doing 100% water changes? Are you conditioning
the change water?
If it's not cycled, what is the ammonia level (it should be 0)
Is the pH stable?
What is his diet consisting of and how much and how often are you
feeding him? Frozen or live foods are much better for him then pellets
or flake or freeze dried foods. I noticed a vast difference in my
betta's behavior when I made the switch.
Have you noticed any other signs of disease? Refusing food, bloody
splotches, ulsers, discoloration (I think I read his color was good)
anything on his body? Is he pooing normally? (Regular and not white or
long and stringy)

Until you know what's causing his lethargy, limit the amount of time
he sees his reflection. It really shouldn't be more then a few minutes
a day when he IS healthy anyway. Seeing himself causes him to become
defensive which is why you see the "flaring". While it can be fun to
watch, he thinks he has to fight.

Good luck with him.

> "Gwen Morse" > wrote in message
> ...
> > I bought my son a betta just over a month ago, and I'm finding his
> > behavior a bit puzzling.
> >
> > He just sort of 'sits' on rocks on the bottom of the tank. He'll
> > occasionally move from spot to spot, but, generally, that's the way he
> > spends his day.
> >
> > If we open the top of the tank for feeding or turn on the light, he'll
> > swim around quite vigorously.
> >
> > For want of a better description, he seems "bored". He doesn't seem
> > sick. His tank is clean and his scales are quite bright and his fins
> > are frilly and he _can_ be quite active when stimulation is provided.
> >
> > I threw three snails in the tank (who seem to be happily co-existing
> > with him). He's got some hidey-holes (a fake plant and a tower-like
> > resin pagoda).
> >
> > Does he need...uhhh...company? Other fish? Could this be a sign of
> > illness even if he does otherwise look 'well'? Or, is this what betta
> > do?
> >
> > Gwen

[luminos]

I disagree as puctilious most of your points.


"IDzine01" > wrote in message
om...
> "luminos" > wrote in message
>...
> > You can try putting a small mirror on a side of the tank so he can see
> > himself.....he should respond vigorously! If not, you have a real
problem.
> > They do get bored without something to react to.
>
> Hey Gwen,
> Showing a betta his reflection is ok when he's healthy but can cause
> further stress in an already stressed betta. Lethargy is usually a
> sign of other problems. I'm not really convinced that betta's get
> "bored". Unless he was sleeping, he should be active even if you're
> not playing with him. First, I'd check to make sure the water
> temperature is stable and between 75F (min) and 80*F.
> Also, what size is the tank?
> Is it cycled or are you doing 100% water changes? Are you conditioning
> the change water?
> If it's not cycled, what is the ammonia level (it should be 0)
> Is the pH stable?
> What is his diet consisting of and how much and how often are you
> feeding him? Frozen or live foods are much better for him then pellets
> or flake or freeze dried foods. I noticed a vast difference in my
> betta's behavior when I made the switch.
> Have you noticed any other signs of disease? Refusing food, bloody
> splotches, ulsers, discoloration (I think I read his color was good)
> anything on his body? Is he pooing normally? (Regular and not white or
> long and stringy)
>
> Until you know what's causing his lethargy, limit the amount of time
> he sees his reflection. It really shouldn't be more then a few minutes
> a day when he IS healthy anyway. Seeing himself causes him to become
> defensive which is why you see the "flaring". While it can be fun to
> watch, he thinks he has to fight.
>
> Good luck with him.
>
> > "Gwen Morse" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > I bought my son a betta just over a month ago, and I'm finding his
> > > behavior a bit puzzling.
> > >
> > > He just sort of 'sits' on rocks on the bottom of the tank. He'll
> > > occasionally move from spot to spot, but, generally, that's the way he
> > > spends his day.
> > >
> > > If we open the top of the tank for feeding or turn on the light, he'll
> > > swim around quite vigorously.
> > >
> > > For want of a better description, he seems "bored". He doesn't seem
> > > sick. His tank is clean and his scales are quite bright and his fins
> > > are frilly and he _can_ be quite active when stimulation is provided.
> > >
> > > I threw three snails in the tank (who seem to be happily co-existing
> > > with him). He's got some hidey-holes (a fake plant and a tower-like
> > > resin pagoda).
> > >
> > > Does he need...uhhh...company? Other fish? Could this be a sign of
> > > illness even if he does otherwise look 'well'? Or, is this what betta
> > > do?
> > >
> > > Gwen

[NetMax]

First of all, you made me go looking for my dictionary ;~), and then I
couldn't find the word :-O (!).

I actually thought she did a good job of playing the 20 questions game,
and any punctiliousness completely escaped me ;~)
--
http://www.NetMax.tk/

"luminos" > wrote in message
...
> I disagree as puctilious most of your points.
>
>
> "IDzine01" > wrote in message
> om...
> > "luminos" > wrote in message
> >...
> > > You can try putting a small mirror on a side of the tank so he can
see
> > > himself.....he should respond vigorously! If not, you have a real
> problem.
> > > They do get bored without something to react to.
> >
> > Hey Gwen,
> > Showing a betta his reflection is ok when he's healthy but can cause
> > further stress in an already stressed betta. Lethargy is usually a
> > sign of other problems. I'm not really convinced that betta's get
> > "bored". Unless he was sleeping, he should be active even if you're
> > not playing with him. First, I'd check to make sure the water
> > temperature is stable and between 75F (min) and 80*F.
> > Also, what size is the tank?
> > Is it cycled or are you doing 100% water changes? Are you
conditioning
> > the change water?
> > If it's not cycled, what is the ammonia level (it should be 0)
> > Is the pH stable?
> > What is his diet consisting of and how much and how often are you
> > feeding him? Frozen or live foods are much better for him then
pellets
> > or flake or freeze dried foods. I noticed a vast difference in my
> > betta's behavior when I made the switch.
> > Have you noticed any other signs of disease? Refusing food, bloody
> > splotches, ulsers, discoloration (I think I read his color was good)
> > anything on his body? Is he pooing normally? (Regular and not white
or
> > long and stringy)
> >
> > Until you know what's causing his lethargy, limit the amount of time
> > he sees his reflection. It really shouldn't be more then a few
minutes
> > a day when he IS healthy anyway. Seeing himself causes him to become
> > defensive which is why you see the "flaring". While it can be fun to
> > watch, he thinks he has to fight.
> >
> > Good luck with him.
> >
> > > "Gwen Morse" > wrote in message
> > > ...
> > > > I bought my son a betta just over a month ago, and I'm finding
his
> > > > behavior a bit puzzling.
> > > >
> > > > He just sort of 'sits' on rocks on the bottom of the tank. He'll
> > > > occasionally move from spot to spot, but, generally, that's the
way he
> > > > spends his day.
> > > >
> > > > If we open the top of the tank for feeding or turn on the light,
he'll
> > > > swim around quite vigorously.
> > > >
> > > > For want of a better description, he seems "bored". He doesn't
seem
> > > > sick. His tank is clean and his scales are quite bright and his
fins
> > > > are frilly and he _can_ be quite active when stimulation is
provided.
> > > >
> > > > I threw three snails in the tank (who seem to be happily
co-existing
> > > > with him). He's got some hidey-holes (a fake plant and a
tower-like
> > > > resin pagoda).
> > > >
> > > > Does he need...uhhh...company? Other fish? Could this be a sign
of
> > > > illness even if he does otherwise look 'well'? Or, is this what
betta
> > > > do?
> > > >
> > > > Gwen
>
>

[Eric Schreiber]

luminos wrote:

> I disagree as puctilious most of your points.

That's great, but a) you spelled it wrong, and b) that's not a very
convincing or meaningful response. IDzine01 seemed to cover the bases
very well, including temperature, tank size, water changes, ammonia
level, pH, diet, and disease. By comparison, your post wasn't exactly
content-rich.

So, what specifically are you disagreeing with, or are you just in one
of your moods again?


--
www.ericschreiber.com

[Mary]

"RedForeman ©®" > wrote in message
...
>
> > For want of a better description, he seems "bored". He doesn't seem
> > sick. His tank is clean and his scales are quite bright and his fins
> > are frilly and he _can_ be quite active when stimulation is provided.
>
> He's probably bored... does anyone ever go to the tank and interact with
> him?? I've got a 5g in my bathroom, and Bob, he loves to see people, what
> better place for him to be?
>
> --
> RedForeman ©® future fabricator and creator of a ratbike
> streetfighter!!! ==========================
> 2003 TRX450ES
> 1992 TRX-350 XX (For Sale)
> '98 Tacoma Ext Cab 4X4 Lifted....
> ==========================
> ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤° `°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø
>
>
> is that better??
>

Yeah, this was a real shock for me when I put my first betta in my tank
Sunday. They have personality and want to *play*!! Oh my gosh, how do you
throw them a ball?!

:)

Mary (I got a 5 gal for my new office on Sunday, too, couldn't resist! Put
in one betta and two frogs - everyone was visiting me to see them)

[RedForeman ©®]

>> He's probably bored... does anyone ever go to the tank and interact
>> with him?? I've got a 5g in my bathroom, and Bob, he loves to see
>> people, what better place for him to be?
>
> Yeah, this was a real shock for me when I put my first betta in my
> tank Sunday. They have personality and want to *play*!! Oh my gosh,
> how do you throw them a ball?!

I use my finger... Put it *outside* on one end, he'll come chasing it...
I'll move to the other end, and he'll quickly come there... back and
forth... several times every time I go to the bathroom.... My wife wanted us
to put 2 ADF in there, they're pretty cool too... they chase Bob and Bob
gives chase... of course, he rules that tank, and that room as you can see..

> Mary (I got a 5 gal for my new office on Sunday, too, couldn't
> resist! Put in one betta and two frogs - everyone was visiting me to
> see them)

Me too... love the work tank....

--
RedForeman ©® future fabricator and creator of a ratbike
streetfighter!!! ==========================
2003 TRX450ES
1992 TRX-350 XX (For Sale)
'98 Tacoma Ext Cab 4X4 Lifted....
==========================
ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤° `°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø


is that better??

[Mary E. Hill]

"RedForeman ©®" > wrote in message
...
> >> He's probably bored... does anyone ever go to the tank and interact
> >> with him?? I've got a 5g in my bathroom, and Bob, he loves to see
> >> people, what better place for him to be?
> >
> > Yeah, this was a real shock for me when I put my first betta in my
> > tank Sunday. They have personality and want to *play*!! Oh my gosh,
> > how do you throw them a ball?!
>
> I use my finger... Put it *outside* on one end, he'll come chasing it...
> I'll move to the other end, and he'll quickly come there... back and
> forth... several times every time I go to the bathroom.... My wife wanted
us
> to put 2 ADF in there, they're pretty cool too... they chase Bob and Bob
> gives chase... of course, he rules that tank, and that room as you can
see..
>
> > Mary (I got a 5 gal for my new office on Sunday, too, couldn't
> > resist! Put in one betta and two frogs - everyone was visiting me to
> > see them)
>
> Me too... love the work tank....
>
> --
> RedForeman ©® future fabricator and creator of a ratbike
> streetfighter!!! ==========================
> 2003 TRX450ES
> 1992 TRX-350 XX (For Sale)
> '98 Tacoma Ext Cab 4X4 Lifted....
> ==========================
> ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤° `°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø
>
>
> is that better??
>

OK, Red, I'm assuming your tank is on the way to the bathroom? ;)

[NetMax]

"Mary E. Hill" > wrote in message
...
>
> "RedForeman ©®" > wrote in message
> ...
> > >> He's probably bored... does anyone ever go to the tank and
interact
> > >> with him?? I've got a 5g in my bathroom, and Bob, he loves to see
> > >> people, what better place for him to be?
> > >
> > > Yeah, this was a real shock for me when I put my first betta in my
> > > tank Sunday. They have personality and want to *play*!! Oh my
gosh,
> > > how do you throw them a ball?!
> >
> > I use my finger... Put it *outside* on one end, he'll come chasing
it...
> > I'll move to the other end, and he'll quickly come there... back and
> > forth... several times every time I go to the bathroom.... My wife
wanted
> us
> > to put 2 ADF in there, they're pretty cool too... they chase Bob and
Bob
> > gives chase... of course, he rules that tank, and that room as you
can
> see..
> >
> > > Mary (I got a 5 gal for my new office on Sunday, too, couldn't
> > > resist! Put in one betta and two frogs - everyone was visiting me
to
> > > see them)
> >
> > Me too... love the work tank....
> >
> > --
> > RedForeman ©® future fabricator and creator of a ratbike
> > streetfighter!!! ==========================
> > 2003 TRX450ES
> > 1992 TRX-350 XX (For Sale)
> > '98 Tacoma Ext Cab 4X4 Lifted....
> > ==========================
> > ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤° `°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø
> >
> >
> > is that better??
> >
>
> OK, Red, I'm assuming your tank is on the way to the bathroom? ;)

It's one of these, isn't it Red? ;~)
http://elseware.to/products/aq.htm
--
http://www.NetMax.tk/

[Mary E. Hill]

"NetMax" > wrote in message
. ..
> "Mary E. Hill" > wrote in message
> ...
> >
> > "RedForeman ©®" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > >> He's probably bored... does anyone ever go to the tank and
> interact
> > > >> with him?? I've got a 5g in my bathroom, and Bob, he loves to see
> > > >> people, what better place for him to be?
> > > >
> > > > Yeah, this was a real shock for me when I put my first betta in my
> > > > tank Sunday. They have personality and want to *play*!! Oh my
> gosh,
> > > > how do you throw them a ball?!
> > >
> > > I use my finger... Put it *outside* on one end, he'll come chasing
> it...
> > > I'll move to the other end, and he'll quickly come there... back and
> > > forth... several times every time I go to the bathroom.... My wife
> wanted
> > us
> > > to put 2 ADF in there, they're pretty cool too... they chase Bob and
> Bob
> > > gives chase... of course, he rules that tank, and that room as you
> can
> > see..
> > >
> > > > Mary (I got a 5 gal for my new office on Sunday, too, couldn't
> > > > resist! Put in one betta and two frogs - everyone was visiting me
> to
> > > > see them)
> > >
> > > Me too... love the work tank....
> > >
> > > --
> > > RedForeman ©® future fabricator and creator of a ratbike
> > > streetfighter!!! ==========================
> > > 2003 TRX450ES
> > > 1992 TRX-350 XX (For Sale)
> > > '98 Tacoma Ext Cab 4X4 Lifted....
> > > ==========================
> > > ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤° `°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø
> > >
> > >
> > > is that better??
> > >
> >
> > OK, Red, I'm assuming your tank is on the way to the bathroom? ;)
>
> It's one of these, isn't it Red? ;~)
> http://elseware.to/products/aq.htm
> --
> http://www.NetMax.tk/
>


NO WAY!! I cannot believe this exists!! :) Too funny

[RedForeman ©®]

>> OK, Red, I'm assuming your tank is on the way to the bathroom? ;)
>
> It's one of these, isn't it Red? ;~)
> http://elseware.to/products/aq.htm

Heehee!!! I used to laugh when I saw those posts... Which way would you sit?
That was my first question...

Actually, it's a 5g hex tank, sits perfectly in a corner, on a counter in,
_IN_ the bathroom....

that's just one of the many.... I'm no NetMax, but he _IS_ my mentor....
:-)
3 in living room 1 10g, 1 55g, 165g
2 bedroom 1 10g Q tank, 1 29g plant tank
1 bathroom Bob's Realm
3 in wife's room 2 20gL gecko tanks, 1 29g 2-whites tree frogs

and another 20g that's going to end up being on my nightstand if I can't
find another somewhat practical place to put it.. no more counter space in
the bathroom.. hahaha!!!

--
RedForeman ©® future fabricator and creator of a ratbike
streetfighter!!! ==========================
2003 TRX450ES
1992 TRX-350 XX (For Sale)
'98 Tacoma Ext Cab 4X4 Lifted....
==========================
ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤° `°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø


is that better??

[IDzine01]

"luminos" > wrote in message >...
> I disagree as puctilious most of your points.

Fair enough. My point was if he's acting lethargic, first look at his
environment; i.e. tank size, water parameters, temp, etc, and at your
care methods; food choices, water change schedule- and if nothing is
out of wack (which 9x out 10 it's environmental) then you can consider
other options like bordom. You wouldn't want to assume his bored and
give him a mirror without first making sure he's not swimming in a
bowl full of ammonia. First go through the usual testing routine then
consider other options. It's standard to ask yourself these questions
when you observe unusual fish behavior.

[NetMax]

"RedForeman ©®" > wrote in message
...
>
> >> OK, Red, I'm assuming your tank is on the way to the bathroom? ;)
> >
> > It's one of these, isn't it Red? ;~)
> > http://elseware.to/products/aq.htm
>
> Heehee!!! I used to laugh when I saw those posts... Which way would you
sit?
> That was my first question...
>
> Actually, it's a 5g hex tank, sits perfectly in a corner, on a counter
in,
> _IN_ the bathroom....
>
> that's just one of the many.... I'm no NetMax, but he _IS_
<snip>

.... a very _very_ bad influence on people who keep aquariums ;~)

I sometimes get scolded by my customers. Typically overheard line: "I
was happy with only one aquarium before I met you and now I'm in here
shopping for a 4th tank!". There is usually a significant-other behind
them nodding their head. Bad NetMax, bad.


NetMax

> RedForeman ©®