Betta accessories

[Cheynday2023]

Hi everyone! So about four months ago I got my betta “Sirius” and it’s been going well! He is in a five gallon (until I can get more space) with silk plants, two hideouts, leaf hammocks, and Fluval substrate. He also has a zebra snail “sprout”. When I got sprout he seemed to perk up and actually enjoyed having a friend. I’m away at work and school a lot so I don’t want him to become bored. What things can I add or change in his tank to ensure he gets enrichment? I was thinking live plants but I don’t know what would be suitable for him!

 

[TheBettaKeeper]

You should definitely add some live plants, because you have Fluval Stratum in there you can basically put in whatever low-tech plants you want, I'd recommend Valisneria or Rotala rotundifolia as a background plant, and you could add epiphytes like Anubias and Java Fern to the hardscape.

 

[Cheynday2023]

You should definitely add some live plants, because you have Fluval Stratum in there you can basically put in whatever low-tech plants you want, I'd recommend Valisneria or Rotala rotundifolia as a background plant, and you could add epiphytes like Anubias and Java Fern to the hardscape.

Thank you! Because my tank is 5 gallons for now, I am worried about overcrowding it with plants. Do bettas prefer a “busy” environment with lots of plants or do they like just a couple?

 

[StarGirl]

My bettas like to hide and swim through the plants. You would have to have A LOT for it to be too many. Like a solid plant jungle. Mine have always liked a log or something to swim through and rest.

 

[Cheynday2023]

My bettas like to hide and swim through the plants. You would have to have A LOT for it to be too many. Like a solid plant jungle. Mine have always liked a log or something to swim through and rest.

Thank you! Is there a certain brand you like? I saw the betta floating log but I’ve seen people complain about plastic coming off of it and into their water

 

[StarGirl]

They love the floating logs. They do flake paint though. I took mine out and he was sad. He blew bubble nests inside it. Hasnt done one since. I have seen a bunch of betta hides on Etsy and Amazon that are suctioned to the glass.
This looks fun! I may get one.
https://www.amazon.com/SeeShelter-B...28523&sprefix=betta+hides,aps,184&sr=8-8&th=1

 

[Cheynday2023]

They love the floating logs. They do flake paint though. I took mine out and he was sad. He blew bubble nests inside it. Hasnt done one since. I have seen a bunch of betta hides on Etsy and Amazon that are suctioned to the glass.
This looks fun! I may get one.
https://www.amazon.com/SeeShelter-Brand-Betta-Tunnel-Translucent/dp/B0BKD835KV/ref=sr_1_8?crid=106D1XZFO5QHH&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.7h7SSsgsDAs6jGui4jgU0lSTL1eJGAKjc2ey2Z9n8NaYM7UVp8MMo2fiHku0xeIBR4aZwt2bsRJK5T98nMRa2TJChXU5Q_pvcL9iFO3ehhuIJHlwdCg240-yZ6R577UtnhOxTnz8NoEyscolv_lMPkXmWphboAIC095bvvgDuabqhyn_jyj-ka0RzYBo4GhAKFfMktjKxnwKkqtnWLUohlxZty_dObHH0tfvrNOLCCT0obZvbxXxXTeT1bYPXsNgJydqOu3c0mWGiCOrXET710_d4l8c1QyjoE8ErOXUIb7VK0MRnVcUsHW7qhzSwuMoYDLcPF9jE3rChp11qnNI9cCO5gGFOcvNfHfqfw58ZuUx6CtfoCReDN37MwIwRt5N9ipj1nx_7-IOmp2wJD5rvgVUWss7Nn-KheAn5Hbn8mgKSiQ_xp7boSB14ujW7iNp.68SVZhngTt5Wj7gQIGC4eY5LAIrUX0P_mCofn50fqB4&dib_tag=se&keywords=betta+hides&qid=1735328523&sprefix=betta+hides,aps,184&sr=8-8&th=1

I legit was looking at getting one of these earlier! So this will give the same effect as a “floating log”?

 

[StarGirl]

I legit was looking at getting one of these earlier! So this will give the same effect as a “floating log”?

Yeah. They go in and rest most of the time.

 

[jaysurf7]

When i had my betta tank i got him the betta buddy, he seemed to like it and would swim around it, checking it out kept him busy and interested. It's a fake betta for a betta tank. they should sell in a LFS, and you can buy it online.

 

[kansas]

You can also give them exercise by holding a mirror up to the glass for a couple minutes.

 

[Fishfur]

Teach him tricks. They can learn some very simple things though the usual starting point is ‘folllow my finger’.

When it’s feeding time, hold a good item where he can see it with a finger beside it and when he comes toward the finger to get the food, the food is the reward.

Once he starts to associate moving toward the finger with being fed, he should be willing to follow your finger for some distance. If he loses interest before you give the reward, go back to the beginning & reward at the first move toward the finger and then progress more slowly.

Fish aren’t as stupid as so many think they are but they are not high achievers. Very short sessions that always end in success even if it means going back to the beginning to be successful is the only way I know to fix a behaviour in memory. They do remember but not a lot at one time.

If he masters follow the finger you might try ‘swim-through-the-suspended-ring’ or a short clear tunnel or even a dead simple maze - a maze that has only one corner to negotiate to begin with with tunnels that are only a couple inches long and dinner is the reward for finding his way through. Helps to block all access to the food except the route through the maze - but this is advanced so it should not be the first thing you try.


Might get him to nudge a ping pong ball if you can smear a bit of insect or worm on it & offer an item of food if he interacts with the ball in any way. He may catch the idea - or not. Only one way to find out

Takes time & great patience but it is truly excellent enrichment.

 

[Cheynday2023]

Alright thank you everyone for the advice! I’m going out next week to get some more hideouts and live plants! I will also start training him! He already comes to the front of the tank when I call his name so that’s something!

 

[TheBettaKeeper]

It really depends on the fish, but all of my bettas love to explore their planted "jungle" tanks.

 

[Cheynday2023]

You can also give them exercise by holding a mirror up to the glass for a couple minutes.

Hi! So I tried to hold up a mirror yesterday for about 5min and he saw it but didn’t flare. From what I’ve seen he is a lot more passive then my past bettas

 

[Fishfur]

Hi! So I tried to hold up a mirror yesterday for about 5min and he saw it but didn’t flare. From what I’ve seen he is a lot more passive then my past bettas

I’m not at all sure the mirror thing is a good idea anyway. If one thinks about it, the mirror is intended to trick the fish into thinking there is an intruder. Intruders are a threat so the usual reaction, if there is one, is a threat display with fins flared & gill covers spread wide open.

Threats cause stress and we know stress is not good, which is why I question the wisdom of using mirrors with bettas. It’s generally a very good thing when they stop reacting to their reflections in their aquariums.