Happy Betta, but bored?

**Lolita** · 11-14-2012, 03:30 PM

Hey all!

I recently moved my betta from his 5 gallon Fluval Chi to the 6.6 I originally wanted. :D He's so happy in it, and he's swimming around lots... but during the middle of the day I notice he seems to look bored.

What can I do to amuse my little guy? Is there something I can add to the tank that wouldn't take away from the clean, natural look that he could have fun playing in?

**~firefly~** · 11-14-2012, 05:03 PM

Get him an Xbox

**imma24** · 11-14-2012, 05:08 PM

Get him a mirror so he can admire himself LOL

**Lolita** · 11-14-2012, 05:09 PM

Originally Posted by ~firefly~

Get him an Xbox

LOL He's a playstation fan actually. xD He loves those RPGs!

**Lolita** · 11-14-2012, 05:09 PM

Originally Posted by andreahp

Get him a mirror so he can admire himself LOL

Hahaha I actually do every once in a while put a mirror up for a minute or two so he can flare and feel all tough, then as soon as I put it away he swims around all proud of himself.

**~firefly~** · 11-14-2012, 05:15 PM

Haha...be aware of rampant anthropomorphism!

**Tiari** · 11-14-2012, 05:48 PM

Try some "Betta enrichment". It works! To do this, find odd, brightly colored items around your house. Bottle of laundry detergent, box of cereal, a purse, vase... you get the idea. Each day for an hour or two place the item next to his tank. It will give him enhanced visual stimulation. Some things he might find hypnotizing, and stare at for a long time entranced. Other's he may try to attack, or flare up at. Some may send him swimming in circles.

If at any time he starts getting stress stripes, or blown out fins, discontinue for a while, or make sure you remove items from the circuit that he flares at a lot.

Don't use mirrors, long periods of mirrors will cause stress in a Betta who will constantly think there is an interloper in their territory.

**Lolita** · 11-14-2012, 06:14 PM

Originally Posted by Tiari

Try some "Betta enrichment". It works! To do this, find odd, brightly colored items around your house. Bottle of laundry detergent, box of cereal, a purse, vase... you get the idea. Each day for an hour or two place the item next to his tank. It will give him enhanced visual stimulation. Some things he might find hypnotizing, and stare at for a long time entranced. Other's he may try to attack, or flare up at. Some may send him swimming in circles.

If at any time he starts getting stress stripes, or blown out fins, discontinue for a while, or make sure you remove items from the circuit that he flares at a lot.

Don't use mirrors, long periods of mirrors will cause stress in a Betta who will constantly think there is an interloper in their territory.

Thanks! I'll try this! I did the mirror from someone else's suggestion... I don't remember who. I only do it on rare occasions--like once every two weeks for a minute. Should I stop that altogether?

I read that they like tubes and such to swim through... thinking about making him a little moss tube with some PVC piping and attaching moss to it.

**Tiari** · 11-15-2012, 12:27 AM

You don't have to stop the mirror entirely, just a few minutes at a time should be fine!

They do like "weaving" through stuff as they swim.

**Cyberra** · 11-15-2012, 03:00 AM

My bettas love watching TV with me, especially if I'm playing a bright, colorful game like Mario Kart Wii or Super Mario Galaxy, and Sunny actually likes NASCAR. Those who can see my computer screen seem to like watching movies and YouTube vids with me.