Does a betta get lonely?

[tmmycat]

Does a male betta get lonely in a tank by itself?

I have a 7-gallon tank with no fish yet; I'm trying to decide what to put in it ...

One male betta might be right for this size tank, but I don't want to doom him to a life of loneliness. I know male bettas are supposed to live alone, but ... will he get bored? He and my cat can watch each other through the glass...will that be amusing for him? Should I put anything else in the tank with him?

[Rue]

...my bettas appear to be really interested in everything around them...much more so than the tetras or the danios...

...my plakat hung out with the snails and ate alge wafers with them...

...I also have the new plakat in with the snails in my 25l tank...

I'd say you have room for 3-4 cory catfish...that would be a nice mix...

[Lady Hobbs]

Not likely. They are lone fish in the wild.

[Rue]

...well yes, in that regard they are a solitary fish and not a schooling fish...

[gm72]

Agreed. I have my daughter's betta in a 5.5 gallon tank and he seems content, happy, likes to see what is going on around him (his tank in on the kitchen counter, likely to stay there).

[cocoa_pleco]

my betta in the 20g likes to chase the white clouds, and the one in the 5g is solitary. He just likes to lay in the plants

[bscman]

Try to put him in a reasonable high traffic area. Betta's LOVE to observe their surroundings. He'll stare at you all day long, watching your every move! lol...

Also, hanging a small mirror on the tank for a few minutes a day is a fun way to make him *think* he's not alone. He'll flare at the *other* male, and give you plenty of entertainment!

Betta's are lone fish in the while, and will do just fine by themselves. If you do choose to add other fish, make sure they're compatible...also pay attention to that betta.
He may nip, or get nipped, or become very antisocial. I know my male absolutely does NOT like tank mates...he becomes very antisocial, and will hide and refuse to eat.

[Jahosacat]

My bettas are very interested in the world around them. They watch and occasionally flare with bettas in nearby tanks; they can see me wave at them from several feet away. I've read that some people put ping pong balls in their tanks and the betta will play with it. I think they only betta that will get lonely is a betta in a tank that's in a super quiet part of the house or one that gets no attention

[cocoa_pleco]

even though theyre mainly top dwellers, my 20g betta is crazy. if hes not chasing the white clouds on top, he goes to the very bottom and stares at the flying fox or bugs corys

[bscman]

I've read that some people put ping pong balls in their tanks and the betta will play with it.

I have a small marble in my tank...he LOVES to push it around the substrate. I bet he'd really dig a ping pong ball--i'll have to try it!