How Active Is Your Betta?

[tropicalmumma]

Ours is very active and interactive, in fact all the ones we've ever owned have been the same.  At the pet shop (which I avoid but went in to buy the heartworm preventer for my dog) they had one in a small betta tank on the counter that had a big fake plant in it, giving even less room for the poor fish, who was laying on his side on top of the plant.  I told the girl to check the fish, I think he's sick and she said he's just like that, they aren't very active fish so that's why they prefer small tanks.  I said we must always buy the hyperactive ones then because with one doing that, I'd be very worried. 
 
Now, I'm not expert, and have only owned a few over the last decade, but they have always been very active in the tanks and come up when someone is talking to them or to get food we put in, they swim around and seem to be healthy and happy.  That fish looked sad.  So please tell me, what's normal?

 

[frapadoodle]

Well, new to the Betta world,(less than a year).
But mine is very active and interactive. That's how I chose him, wanted an orange veil tail, but it was sluggish, as with the others. But this red crown tail followed me everywhere. Still does, unless mama is in her chair, then I am forgotten.
He does lay about on the plants for a rest, but patrols his tank regularly.

 

[tropicalmumma]

Yes, ours have always had a little bit of a rest but been quite active still.  I have a hyperactive dog (Jack Russell), a hyperactive cat, and very sporty child so thought maybe I just attract that? Or maybe our energy levels set everyone off who enters the house?

 

[Wildbetta]

Betta when kept in the right environment are nice active fish.  The main issue that makes people believe that these fish are not active is that people keep them in tanks that are way too small and then they are not heated.  Warm water is very important to their health and activity level.  As with everything, there are individuals who don't follow the normal and are just naturally lazy fish but they are few and far between.  I have owned many bettas and I have not personally had one that was outright lazy.  

 

[tropicalmumma]

Yes, not only was the tank small, it also had a plant in it so the fish had very little room to move at all. 

 

[ReiRei]

Three of mine are incredibly active fish, whereas my other one just sits around all day But in general, I'd say they are supposed to be active and communicate with their owners.

 

[ky*weremiej]

Mine is active his best friend is an angel fish, when the light goes out they even hide in the same spot together some serious bro mance going on lol

 

[snowflake311]

I find the Plakats to be very active. My young female never stops moving. As they get older they slow down just like with everything. I also find the Long finned bettas tend to be a little less active. With all that extra fin it has to be hard to get around. 
 
I think the betta fins are gotten too long. So now I keep Plakats only. With the exception of the fish my daughter picked out. Its a half Moon and he swims around but not as active as my PK. 

 

[Superman9000]

Mine are actually kinda inactive and I don't know how to make them more active.

 

[Wildbetta]

Mine are actually kinda inactive and I don't know how to make them more active.

 
What size tank are they kept in?  What temperature are they kept at?  What is your water change schedule?   -- These are the 3 most important questions to answer to see why your betta is not active.  Most of the time it is a space or temperature issue.

 

[CrazyDiamond88]

My little guy is almost constantly flitting around his tank. He'll rest a bit on a leaf of at the bottom, but mostly he's swimming around.

 

[ky*weremiej]

Totally of topic but anyone keep guppies with beta ? I have 2 tanks one with angel fish and on with beta, so where could I fit some in or am I going to need a new tank ? I know guppies and betta don't get on but who knows, some of the videos I have seen with 3 male beta In one tank are crazy so I wanna try and work this out.

 

[Shelster]

Totally of topic but anyone keep guppies with beta ? I have 2 tanks one with angel fish and on with beta, so where could I fit some in or am I going to need a new tank ? I know guppies and betta don't get on but who knows, some of the videos I have seen with 3 male beta In one tank are crazy so I wanna try and work this out.

I would opt for a new tank, plus it's a good excuse for another tank

 

[ncguppy830]

Totally of topic but anyone keep guppies with beta ? I have 2 tanks one with angel fish and on with beta, so where could I fit some in or am I going to need a new tank ? I know guppies and betta don't get on but who knows, some of the videos I have seen with 3 male beta In one tank are crazy so I wanna try and work this out.

ive kept guppies with bettas and got a double wammy betas bit guppies fins guppies bit bettas fins, as for multiple bettas in a tank unless its divided ts very hard to do you would probaly need a large tank and allow each one of them to establish their terrotories so the fighting would go down, anyway its non advisable.

 

[ky*weremiej]

thanks for the advice, do you think they would work with angel fish ?