Lonely Betta?!

[Jess]

I moved my male betta out of my community tank into his own 2 gal tank as some of you suggested!!! He was doing fine for the first couple of days but for the last week or so he's looked really depressed!!! He just lies on the bottom of the tank and only moves when he's being fed or if i lift the lid he'll come up to say hello.... Im really worried as he was very active in my other tank!!! Could he just be lonely?!!? What should i do?! He doesn't get on well with other fish so i dont want to risk putting another in with him... Any advice would be great!

Thanks

Jess

 

[RattleSnake]

Get a mirror and put it next to his tank, that'll cheer him up.

 

[Jess]

I tried that and he just ignores it!!

 

[wrs]

is there aeration and a filter in the tank? You could get him maybe a little friend. Maybe an otto or two? Dont know if that would over stock you or not.

 

[Jess]

There's no filter. I was told if i change the water every couple of days he should be ok! How big do ottos grow?! Is he likely to eat it?! he ate my guppies...lol

 

[cutechic]

Otos grow up to about an inch, and they are very peaceful. They are generally good companions for bettas, but in a 2 gallon I'm not sure if you should add any more fish.

 

[Jess]

Yeah... It is a small tank! I guess ill just have to hope he cheers up a bit!!

 

[Nina7777]

You could try adding an airstone to cause a bit of surface movement. When I first moved my male betta into a tank on his own without any filtration or surface movement he got pretty depressed. I added a small spongefilter and now he swims in the bubbles and is alot happier.

 

[Jess]

Hi Nina,

Thanks! Ill try that!!! He looks so depressed, bless him! I guess it's worth a try!

 

[Nina7777]

Let us know how it goes! Good Luck!

 

[Dane]

I've noticed, if any of my male bettas get lonely, I'll place another male for a few days next to his container, in their own container. It'll give him a chance to flare, and be reminded that he infact owns his own space and can guard it. After about two or three days, I'll re-arrange the jars/tanks so that the males can rest and be away from the flaring and such. (too much flaring can cause rips and tares in the fins).

Orrr.. you can get a female, and keep her container near his, just enough that he can see her
That normally works, and promotes nest building.

 

[Jess]

Hey Dane,

He's the only betta i have so ill try the airstone first as it will probably be cheaper!!lol But if that doesn't work ill definately think about buying a female to put next to him!!! Thanks! By the way... Is it normal that in the whole time ive had him he's only flared up about three times?! I could just be being paranoid but he doesn't seem right!!!! Even when he was chasing my guppies around he very rarely flared up...

Jess

 

[wrs]

my brothers doesnt flare ever. I have a two gallon rummbermaid thing that i put mine in, w/a divider, and they just stare at eachother all the time. Maybe you can get a divider and another betta so they can always think they have company?

 

[Jess]

would a two gallon tank big big enough for two? Where do you buy dividers too?! I haven't seen any over here!!!

 

[wrs]

most people say one gallon for each betta. Ive never seen any dividers, but they sell them at places like petsmart and petco.