My betta seems bored! What can I do to help him?

[Alisha]

Hi everyone, I just got my little guy *Dexter* yesterday and I think he is really happy in his 2.5, but I think he is starting to get bored already, he doesn't have any decorations in his tank yet or any plants, so I can see why he's kind of bored. I have heard the whole thing about the mirror, but he doesn't seem interested in that, and then I heard if you put a marble in the tank they will move it around and play with it, what do you guys think? what do you guys do to keep your betta happy and interested??? What kind of plant do you have that they really like? Or what type of decoration? Please help...I want him to be a happy boy, that doesn't have a sad boring life!

 

[Alix]

well i have a lil make-up mirror(not mine! my gfs only one) an some times ill dip that in the water next to the side an they'll flare up like you wouldnt think a walmart betta could(one in my display pic is my easy goin apache) an they go abosolutly NUTS for "Blood Worms-the freeze dried treat" an i change there diet an have there tanks next to where i sit most. ive never heard of the marble thing.

ps. i also put there tanks close togather to make them think they are fighting. i think pucker would kick chiefs ass an chief is the apache. hope i helped

 

[Elise]

I like to keep my fish right near me. Mine are all on my desks so they are by me all the time. I am constantly wiggling my fingers and dropping them some little treats. Try leafy plants and little caves to swim in and out of. Also, one of my fish loves this picture out of a calendar, so I taped it to his tank, he does the "love dance" to it all the time.

 

[Allix]

mine does look bored all the time, hes got 2 plants and some gravel, and a few glass beads. I plan on getting him a little cave as well

He does perk up when me or my boyfriend go into the study (hes on the desk so he sees us quite a lot!) a few times hes flared at me, i think hes dropping a hint that hes bored!

 

[Alisha]

Okay thanks everyone, I will try to either get him a plant or decoration, I can't fit both because it's a 2.5 gallon...but thanks again everyone. I will try putting up a mirror next to him again and see what he does...

 

[oneponygirl]

If you just got him he could be settling in as well. Too much effort to get him excited may just stress him out. You may want to give him a couple of days to get adjusted and then tend to his needs for something to do. At the same time, putting a nice plant in his tank that he can hide in will help him to settle as it will give him a place to hide when he is feeling uneasy.

 

[Alisha]

Oh okay, I will get him a little plant then, because I can tell he is a little nervous because he trys to hide behind the filter and heater...