Lethargic Betta...

[Origami Gourami]

Hi,

I have a male betta who is extremely lazy/lethargic. He has the run of a 35 UK Litre tank, with a few neon buddies - but spends all day on top of the filter resting.

I'm wondering if I ought to downsize his pad to a reasonalby sized bowl/vase/other receptacle with no current and less open space. (He currently has a tiny Fluval 1, but it doesn't kick out much current).

Bearing in mind I am in the UK and betta-culture seems to be quite different here than in the USA (stores sell them out of community tanks, never seen any 'cups' over here), is this a good idea? Nowehere over here sells Betta-spheres, aqua-views, or anything like.

I'm worried about temperature - UK can be chilly, although my front room is always walm - how well would he cope in an environment like this with no heater? Is a good room temperature enough?!

Just thought I'd ask. Poor little fella just doesn't seem happy at the mo.

Thanks!

 

[lilmisstrouble]

hey,

Dont know if u have a pets at home near you but they sell little tanks for goldfish which i would say are pretty perfect for your betta. They usually come with a little filter whcih doesnt run a current as much as just some air bubbles out the top. U can buy a little heater to go in (cos u need it here in the UK - apart from the last boiling week!!) and put in some gravel from your tank and a silk plant and you are there (i've just set up a tank for mine recently). All in all it cost me £30 (but i do have a bigish tank, not one of the goldfish ones prob be about £20 with them) and my big red is super-happy in there.

I suspect he'll be MUCH happier in there on his own....

 

[BettaMomma]

I would see if you can find a little tank in the range of 2.5 gallons. That way you can put a little 25 watt heater in it.

I bet your little guy will seem like a new man!

 

[lilmisstrouble]

yeah, thats about the size of the goldfish tanks i mentioned

 

[Origami Gourami]

Thanks everyone!

I have a small heater going spare, but I was just wondering what the consensus was, as a lot of talk on here is US orientated betta keeping.

I agree, the last week has been boiling here (apart from Glastonbury! ), but I wondered exactly how tolerant they were of mild changes in temp.

Thanks for the advice -looks like cardinals are going in with the discus family, luckily they are still small and not up to tetra munching size yet!

Will let you know how he likes his new home!