How Do I Entertain My Betta?

After a sad experience with some previous fish that I kept in the wrong conditions after not doing proper research (it REALLY hurt me as I always do my research but I made the dumb common mistake of thinking I didn't need to cause "fish aren't hard to care for") I have been trying to give my betta the best life I can, which included spending nearly 100 dollars on him and his environment which to many seems minimal for their fish but as I am a beginner and don't make much money (at all) it was a big deal. Well, he has gotten sick with what I believe fin rot (I have a whole other thread going on that) I really want to be sure that he is mentally thriving. In his five gallon tank (shared with two nerite snails) he has three live plants, a heater that is stable at 78 degrees except the day of and a few days after cleaning since I have to unplug it, a large rock that he constantly swims in and out of and lounges in and on, a betta leaf which he frankly hasn't understood the whole purpose of but I HAVE seen him use it on a few occasions, and a filter the he likes to shove himself behind (suction is underneath, he is okay). I also have bubbles in his tank but they are usually turned off as I feel it may be too powerful/too many bubbles for him and his small tank.

He seems to be happy as he does swim around but I always will worry that he isn't as it's not that easy to tell if a fish is unhappy unlike humans. I am thinking of picking up a betta log as he loves to lounge around but what are some other things I can get him to ensure he has fun? I looked into moss balls but I also read that they help with algae and I already worry my snails aren't getting the algae they need (I got algae wafers but they are small snails so the wafer sits there for days and isn't finished) I could leave the light on longer (I have it on for twelve hours a day after reading that tropical fish and plants do good with twelve hours of light as opposed to eight). I have freeze dried bloodworms for him to eat but he still doesn't exactly understand where his food is coming from so he just stares at me waiting for food until he sees the food sink past him which he tries to get but sometimes fails to do so, leaving food in the bottom, being untouched. I just REALLY want to make sure I do this right. He's just a betta fish, I know, but I'be gotten attached to his dopey personality and want to be sure he his happy with his life whether its for the next month or next 3-5 years.

Also, I learned that snails produce a good amount of waste, should I look into a shrimp? My betta is pretty chill with my snails, only nipping them once or twice when he was beginning to explore his new tank as opposed to his old pathetic pet store cup. As stated, I do have a five gallon and two nerite snails (also wan't told that they needed/should have more space but as stated, I made a dumb decision and didn't do research) and don't want to overstock the tank which I worry that I already am....

So, long story short (I panicked and am very passionate about all this so I'm sorry for the ramble, I do it a lot) what are some good ways to entertain my betta fish? And should I maybe get a shrimp or is that unnecessary?

 

Your betta may harass any shrimp you add considering it’s only a 5 gallon tank. I think your snails great tank mates.

I am a huge fan of moss balls. I have seen my roommate’s betta lounge on them and attempt to move them, it’s really cute. He also loves his betta log.

Other than that, see if you can find a small mirror to hang on the side of the tank. Your betta might play with his reflection and “flare” at it.

 

Your betta may harass any shrimp you add considering it’s only a 5 gallon tank. I think your snails great tank mates.

I am a huge fan of moss balls. I have seen my roommate’s betta lounge on them and attempt to move them, it’s really cute. He also loves his betta log.

Other than that, see if you can find a small mirror to hang on the side of the tank. Your betta might play with his reflection and “flare” at it.

I saw that you should only have 1 snail every five gallons and I'm already breaking that rule so I'm worried they don't have enough algae as it is, would the moss balls take away even more algae from them?

 

I betta log both floating and sinking and a leaf hammock would be my 3 top suggestions.

You might even consider starting a worm colony so he can hunt in his Aquarium... or even daphnia

 

Get a floating betta log. It's $5 at Petsmart. Expensive everywhere else. Though the log might be too big for a 1 gallon.

My betta also seems to not be too fond of frozen bloodworms but loves frozen brine shrimp. I would suggest you get frozen brine shrimp.

 

My guy completely ignores the moss ball. It only gets moved when the snails do it. He actually never plays with anything. He's just extremely food oriented and tries to eat anything he sees. He likes frozen bloodworms much more than brine shrimp.