Preventing boredom in solitary Bettas(?)

[Finley]

Hi

I know that Bettas seem to survive longest on their own rather than in community tanks, but I do worry that the unchanging environment is not very interesting for them. Are there any tank mates that would add a little movement and interest, without stressing them out??

BTW, my smallest Betta container is 26cm and has plants etc; I don't keep them in tiny empty cubes. Still, it's not that interesting because nothing changes. Maybe even just a snail or two would entertain?? Shrimp will probably get eaten..(?)

Thanks,

Finley

[Trev0r!]

some cories would be great tank mates and a good cleanup crew. they will breed easily so if u choose not to remove the eggs, both the cories and betta will have a snack. some guppies would be goood for calmer bettas. more aggressive ones would prob eat the guppies. umm, i wouldnt go with alot of tetras because they can be fin nippers. and neons would get eaten. some otto cats would be good too. i keep my bettas in 1 1/2 gall tanks but i keep them next to one an other s othey dont get bored. :] also giving them some treats would keep them interested. or train them! they're very smart fish and i tought mine to swim through a hoop for a food reward. you could target train as well.

[BettaLu&Meg]

guppies in general are a bad idea and expect them to get killed. snails are a good idea even though bettas will tend to harrass them but thats what there shells are for. i have snails in my tanks and they help out tremendously in cleaning up the excess food. Med. size tetra are good even the larger also. i had them and they never nipped at my betta, bettas are territorial and show who's the boss the the tank. neon tetra i used and can be added but i wouldn't recommend because they travel in schools and seem to die off later in life. heres a compatability chart to help you decied. [Registered users only can see links. ]

[Oscar Betta]

Whiteclouds, and cory cats are some good tankmates for bettas. Good tankmates have to be not closely relating and are not fin nippers. Whiteclouds are very peacefull. Cory cats are bottom feeders. But if you do get any tankmate for your betta, watch them for a few days and make sure there ok together.

[BettaLu&Meg]

yeah heres a tank compatibility chart [Registered users only can see links. ]

[FishMomma]

One very easy thing that you can do to keep your Betta from getting to bored is hold a mirror up to the side of his tank for 1-2 minutes once or twice a week. He will flare at his own reflection which is a healthy activity for him as long as you don't do it too often and stress him out. I do this with my Bettas and they will flare, swim around fast, and get all excited! Sometimes by the next morning, I'll see a bubble nest in the corner of the tank. Mirrors are much easier to take care of than other fish, too!

[Bunny Ears]

Very interesting...

[Emenon]

You can also buy a small ornament, such as a small house. The betta can stare at it for hours and keep him occupied. Then you can change the position of the house around twice a month to keep him entertained.