Betta toys

I catch a fly in my window and pull off a wing( I know I am evil) then my betta flares up at it and tries to eat it. He eventunally eats it. It is pretty cool to watch but he a wimp though, once he was scared of the fly LOL

I can't say I condone pulling wings off of flies. I have Buddha in two of my tanks and he doesn't approve of that at all. Something else for you to consider, and I'm not trying to lecture you, I just want you to be aware, is that flies come in contact with a lot of disease-carrying items and I'd hate for your betta to get sick because of eating a fly and the diseases it might carry.

If him eating live food is important to you, I'm sure someone here has some safer ideas that wouldn't be as risky

 

Wowowowowow! I got to try this when I move my fish to the 20 gallon. I read somewhere that bettas are atheists but maybe yours became Buddhist.

 

Wowowowowow! I got to try this when I move my fish to the 20 gallon. I read somewhere that bettas are atheists but maybe your became Buddhist.

I'm telling

 

I'm telling

??? Please Explain. Are you telling they became Buddhist? It is just a possibility. lol jk.

 

For anyone looking for ideas for a new betta toy:

We added the air bubbler pumps to both of the betta tanks and they're having a blast playing with and in the bubbles.

that is so cute! you have to do a vid on that!

I catch a fly in my window and pull off a wing( I know I am evil) then my betta flares up at it and tries to eat it. He eventunally eats it. It is pretty cool to watch but he a wimp though, once he was scared of the fly LOL

Have you thought about what they stand on ( warning graphic) dog poop, cow pies, garbage, window, and you want to feed that to your beloved pet? I would with Blood worms ;D

I can't say I condone pulling wings off of flies. I have Buddha in two of my tanks and he doesn't approve of that at all. Something else for you to consider, and I'm not trying to lecture you, I just want you to be aware, is that flies come in contact with a lot of disease-carrying items and I'd hate for your betta to get sick because of eating a fly and the diseases it might carry.
If him eating live food is important to you, I'm sure someone here has some safer ideas that wouldn't be as risky

you said it girl!arty0011:

Wowowowowow! I got to try this when I move my fish to the 20 gallon. I read somewhere that bettas are atheists but maybe yours became Buddhist.

umm... this is relative to toys how?
lol

I'm telling

 

I have heard there are betta toys you can make. Is it true?? If so, what are they?? I have searched the internet but found nothing. Only things to buy like ZooMed.

Thx

 

Ping-pong ball.....arty0009:

 

Hamster tunnels-they love to swim through them.

 

Somewhere I read online that putting up a mirror for no more than an hour gives them something to do, but I was hesitant as it seemed like it would just be stressful. Anyone have any input on that?

 

I have seen little floating mirrors that are cool, but I think for some fish it might be stressful. The floating mirrors may be engaging though, your fish may try to figure out where the other one is

 

Those mirrors are for bettas to think there is another male in the tank. This way they will flare at it. You are only supposed to keep it in for a few minutes not an hour!!!!

 

Ping-pong balls, plasic hamster tunnels, hamster balls,plastic toy fish with moving fins,and little floating balls just small enough to fit in there mouths but to big to eat.

 

where can one get these little floating balls

 

where can one get these little floating balls

At a ping-pong store

 

If you mean the little ones you can find them in the craft section.

 

Those mirrors are for bettas to think there is another male in the tank. This way they will flare at it. You are only supposed to keep it in for a few minutes not an hour!!!!

That's what I figured, which is why I never did it, honestly they're so territorial I'd hate to stress out my HM by making him think someones moving in on his turf...

 

I would use ping pong balls, but not little balls small enough for their mouths but too big to eat. In my experience, if it fits in their mouth, it will be eaten no matter the size. Ping pong balls are fun, they hit them about. My boys like peas. I put them in the tank to defrost faster and whoever is in the tank I choose chases it about and hits it up and down the tank.

 

Ive used beads before to and they loved them(Kinnda like a pea that last forever Tigerfishy).

 

Ah, the everlasting pea!! Good plan actually!

 

Thanks!

 

I was just wondering who else plays with their bettas. I play tag with Flash and am teaching Louise how to follow my finger.

 

My interaction is either feeding or cleaning. Elton likes to flare at me constantly and because he can see hina through the divider they typicaly keep eachother company . I also use a pingpong ball from time to time.

 

Definitely an interesting thread with pictures. Come on DIYselfers

 

A mirror every now and then is one i've used with a lot of success. This is something I actually do for all my fish, but buying the clear plastic hamster tubes and putting them in the tank from time to time and making different shapes out of them. My fish actually get noticibly excited when they see me pull the hamster tube box out. Indian Almond leaves are great for bettas, keep mine entertained and happy for days. I've used a laser pointer on the back wall of the aquarium and all my fish find that highly entertaining as well.

Really there isn't much of a limit on what you can do so long as it is safe for the fish. It all depends on what your particular fish like. Mine don't always like everything that I try.

 

Oh, and providing you males with a pastic lid or anything that floats and has a surface area(think floating plastic square or circle) will get them to buil some BIG nests. Even if they already bubble nest the lid provides a great foundation for a sturdier nest.

 

I know there is a betta log and leaf by zoomed....

 

I have a lot of plants in the tank that grow tall so they rest on those in place of the leaf hammocks, but those are really nice if there are no tall plants for them to rest on. They appreciate being able to relax near the surface.

 

I'm going to get these beautiful red lilly like plants that are fully aquatic for my betta Louise to rest on as soon as I get my heater. I used the laser pointer on all my bettas and only Steve didn't know what it was and got scared... what a noob!

 

I love playing with my betta. He "talks" to me and also jumps out of the water to get his food. Sometimes he'll jump when there isn't even anything there! xD

 

Finger following, laser pointers, letting a water droplet slide down the glass (<--- personal fav.) and redecorating the tank have all worked for me. you'd be amazed how much the occasional change of scenery perks them up lol.

 

...letting a water droplet slide down the glass (<--- personal fav.)...

Interesting...

 

OH I made a hoop out of a white pipe cleaner, and taught my betta to go through the hoop wehn tapping twice on the tank side!

 

Oh for anyone who wants to make a betta throne, ball of java moss does the trick, they LOVE it.

 

I was just going to say that! My females LOVE their marimo balls. But idk about large leafy plants; I was all for it until I saw how frustrated one of my females got that the leaves didn't stay where she put them!

 

lol, my girl make a nest in her java moss and rests there, its also a great add for older bettas and fish that rest more often. Very interactive for them. Another great toy I'm making soon is a mirror magnet. I'm going to take 2 magnets, put a mirror on one and then I can move it around the glass to simulate another fish.(Note: when it comes to toy making, I'm the king!)
EDIT: Take a pingpong ball, put a small hole in it and add 3 or so beads or bebes or such, either melt the hole closed or clog it somehow(superglue, silicon and cork work great) then pop it in the tank. The light will illuminate the ball and the beads will look like little black dots floating on the water which bettas go nuts for.

 

Holy cow, so many clever ideas!! My favorite is also the drip of water, they go nuts trying to get to it! Mirror is fun, I picked up one of those floating mirrors attached to a ball, and they can play fight with it around the tank.
Flashlights are also fun, they'll follow the bright spot.

 

Re-read this thread... Idk guys... I feel like, maybe we're a little bit weird. Making toys for our fish and such. Wouldn't change it for the world, but still. Maaaayyybeeeee this isn't normal lol.

 

....NAH. Wierd is when you babby talk to your kingsnake while shes eating...this is just awkward. Seems like a good time for those inspirational pics thatll get our gears grinding.

Dievient art. Iron gibbet we thank you.

 

MWahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!! Definitely laughed too loud on that one... ooooooooooooookay now everyone at work thinks I've inhaled some sort of odd fumes. awesome.

 

....NAH. Wierd is when you babby talk to your kingsnake while shes eating...this is just awkward. Seems like a good time for those inspirational pics thatll get our gears grinding.

Dievient art. Iron gibbet we thank you.

FaceBook worthy.