Moved a small plastic seashell

[canadiansuzie]

If I hadn't have seen it with my own eyes I would have never believed it but I saw my fish tonight move a small plasitc seashell that I have in his betta tank! He was swimming around his tank and got to this seashell and with his head he wriggled under the curve of the shell and pushed it up!

Is this common for a betta to do? I called my sister, who has 2, and she has never heard of it.

Was he playing?

[bettalvr]

Mine do this. If I put anything in their tank and they don't like where I put it, they move it for me so that it's in the "correct" place. Sometimes we (my fish & me) don't agree on home decor!

[BettaLu&Meg]

yea its normal, When we say bettas have there own individual personality, those who been keeping and breeding know this for a fact, if its not there way, they'll make it there way! So yea its normal, be proud you have a betta who has taste in decorating
But even with breeding male bettas will tend to destroy their nest to move it to another side of the tank, to simply fit there taste and needs.

By him moving the shell it could be plenty of reason. One he could be intrested on whats under the shell.
He could of not wanted it by a filter, heater or currents produced by the two.
Wanted a better sight of it or simply thought his taste was better than yours (joke)
But all in all, bettas do have there own personality and will do things that better suit them. Now if its a matter of something important like feeding then certain actions should be taking place and there way cant be the only way.
For example, like i always say, feeding should be done by variety of foods to prevent sickness. Some bettas will not eat new foods right away and will deny it. If you give in and feed the same food everyday, there health could be at stake so changing there food without giving them the old until they except it is, so not letting them be stubborn is such a good idea.

If you have any question feel free to ask and i or anyone for that matter will be happy to help! Also Welcome to the forum, i'm Luis, The breeder & moderator on here and others like myself welcome you to the family!

[bettalvr]

WELCOME Canadiansuzie! Hang around and you'll get to hear all kinds of stories about our "kids". Hope to see you around lots!

[BettaLu&Meg]

yeah some good some bad... some funny and some wierd, wierd like bettas chilling on lilly pads out of the water for rest! that kinda wierd.(and i dont mean betta neglect, i mean just individual betta personalities)

[canadiansuzie]

Thanks for the warm welcome!

He, Mr. Foo, aka Herman is my first fish. He loves to swim, which I also thought they didn't do much of. He is proving to have a "personality" because the pink shell...perhaps he doesnt like the colour, was pushed a bit more to the side today....lol.

[bettalvr]

Congratulations on being owned by a betta!

Yeah, they often like to swim around lots! Some of mine swim like they thought they were in the Betta Olympics! lol The shell, yeah he may not like the color or placement or size (could be any number of things), but he could just be playing with it. My only concern is that he doesn't hurt himself with it. .. I'd keep a close eye on him and watch his face closely. If he scratches or otherwise injures himself, you will likely want to treat him quickly and remove the shell. Kinda watch him to make sure it's not stressing him, if it's not and he's not getting hurt, let him play!

[Fivestar68]

Once again beatin to the punch..lol Could not of said things better myself. Welocome to the forums and enjoy that special Betta of yours!

[bettalvr]

Great minds think alike, what can we say?!?!?! LOL

[FishMomma]

Welcome to the forum! Visit lots and you'll learn lots!

Yeah, I have at least 2 Bettas who are "decorators" in their tanks. They shove rocks around and such. I have one who actually points out "dirt" when I'm vaccuming his tank. Bettas have GREAT personalities and they geet better the longer you have them!

Congrats on your first Betta!