Hi everyone!
I’ve had my betta for a little over a month now (nameless, taking suggestions). I had one about 15 years ago that lived for about 4 years – I’m very familiar with their care, I was quite obsessed. My betta is pretty inactive. He swims from one resting place to another all day, usually at the surface of the tank and for about 20 minutes each time. I originally attributed this to him being in a new space, but he hasn’t changed much over time. I made a few adjustments over time that I thought would help with no luck (I added sponges over the intake and outflow of my filter to slow the current, I got a little floating resting place for him, I took out a large rock I had in the center of his tank to free up swimming space). He has a very active appetite, I give him a mix of frozen blood worms, dried bloodworms, and the “Bug Bites Betta Formula” flake/pellets. He has tankmates, some shrimp, that are very happy and active. I find a new molt at least once a week. He doesn’t interact w them very much- sometimes he’ll chill at the bottom of the tank and watch them. I’ve never seen him flare once in general. Is he just a docile inactive fellow? Or do you have any other thoughts?
I included a pic of his water parameters. Looks like Ammonia 0 Nitrite 0 Nitrate 5 PH 7.6. Tank is a little over 7 gallons with live plants with a heater. Temperature is always between 74 – 80. Pics included.
https://www.reddit.com/gallery/1q7qz0h
Posted by randomhomo689
6 Comments
EDIT: forgot to mention, he usually hangs out under his floating plants when he’s at the surface. My next decision will be to get more and try to have the top 80-90% covered. Maybe it’ll make him feel more safe.
Yeah you probably got luckily and got urself a chill dude. Long fin bettas are also less active than the short fins. It requires a lot of energy for them to swim so I’d imagine they exert a lot of energy just moving a few inches.
It took my betta over two months to flare for me. Your betta’s fins are heavy so that can make it more difficult to get around.
He seems chill and his “dress” is no doubt heavy. You probably just got a laid-back boy who doesnt care much but to go leaf to leaf. I find that all of my long-finned boys tend to be a little more relaxed (by design or by luck). My others are nuts! If your parameters are good & you feel confident about your skills, just keep doing what your doing.
A word of caution… the Betta fish you are going to run into now (especially in the big box stores) are NOT the same Betta you had long ago.
Horrible breeding practices, irresponsible selling of deformed or sick fish, and the crap these little fish have to go through only to MAYBE be lucky enough to have someone choose them to have a good life, with clean, warm water, would put anyone behind the 8-ball right out of the gate. They were in rough shape when they got here (general statement).
I kept all of my old Betta for 4-6 years. Now, this 1 & 2 year garbage is emotionally tolling. Just spend a little extra time in the coming weeks, checking your water, doing your maintenence, and you should be fine with your experience.
My other theory is that he is depressed because he doesn’t have a name. He lookes like a Mike or a George. But give him a name. He deserves one. ❤️ Good luck! Stunning Fish!
have you tried buying a betta mirror.
He has pretty long fins. They probably weigh him down a lot. I have 3 bettas right now. My shorter long finned guys are very active but my very long finned boy is lazy. All he does is rest on things and occasionally comes up to stare at us. He doesnt swin as well due to the weight of his fins and just opts to not swim hardly at all