Moved My Betta To A Bigger Tank..think He Was Happier In Smaller One..

HI all! I've posted about this before. I've had my Betta, Sebastian for 14-months. Initially I had him in a 5-gallon tank at my shop but thought he would get bored on days I wasn't there and people weren't hustling by so I brought him home. He was always making bubble nests and swimming around and appeared very happy in his 5 gallon. Every time he saw me he would swim to the glass and show off his handsome self. I thought he might be happier in a bigger tank so I moved him to a 10 gallon a few months ago and moved him to another room where I thought he would see more 'action'. Instead of bubble nesting and swimming around like he did in his 5 gallon, he seemed depressed and forum folks suggested I add more plants, so I did. While he still swims to the glass when he sees me, he still doesn't seem as happy and active as he was in his smaller tank and hasn't made any bubble nests. This tank is also lower (shorter table) than where I had him before which was almost eye height..so he sees more hips than faces these days..however, there is a TV in the room. This tank has a water flow (Marineland 10 gallon) that was heavier than his last tank so I rigged it so that the water flow is significantly less but now feeding him is a pill with the sponge I placed in front of it needing to be removed and replaced each time. I want him to live a long happy life. I'm thinking about putting him back in his original 5 gallon tank...I'm also thinking about putting him back in my 'Zen Den' where I can spend more time with him. Water levels are good so I'm torn. Thought I'd move him in his big tank back to my 'zen den' first and if that doesn't work, then go back to the smaller tank. Any suggestions? I've attached photos of his tank and his snail buddy. Wish they could tell us what was up!

 

Wish they could tell us what was up!

This! Oftentimes it is just a mystery why some fish like certain environments and not others. It could very well be down to an individual fish, I also have some bettas that seem to really dislike a particular tank despite me thinking it ticks all the boxes that should make them feel better. Well back in their smaller, emptier tanks they go. If he seems way more happy in one tank, just put him in there. Happiness isn't science, not even for fish (somehow).

I have to say though, that is a lovely tank! I love your decorating style

The one thing that I could maybe point out from your story is that the increased activity near the tank maybe stresses him out? Most fish feel more secure when their tank is placed in a quiet spot with not much activity or noise around (your face would be welcomed because it is associated with food, fresh water, etc.).

 

I see this happening quite often here on the forum. Betta is doing great in his 3.5 to 5 gallon tank. We get to thinking they would do better in a bigger tank. Move them and their personality changes and not always for the better.

I think I would put him back in the place and tank he was comfortable in if at all possible.

 

This! Oftentimes it is just a mystery why some fish like certain environments and not others. It could very well be down to an individual fish, I also have some bettas that seem to really dislike a particular tank despite me thinking it ticks all the boxes that should make them feel better. Well back in their smaller, emptier tanks they go. If he seems way more happy in one tank, just put him in there. Happiness isn't science, not even for fish (somehow).

I have to say though, that is a lovely tank! I love your decorating style

The one thing that I could maybe point out from your story is that the increased activity near the tank maybe stresses him out? Most fish feel more secure when their tank is placed in a quiet spot with not much activity or noise around (your face would be welcomed because it is associated with food, fresh water, etc.).

Thank you for your thoughtful feedback and compliment on my tank. I have been struggling with moving him back to the smaller tank. Is it the right thing to do? Or will I regret it? I don't want to say he is in a hallway but more like an entryway to our main living space. I just feel he was happier where he could see me (food, etc) and we spent time together regularly. He was in my Zen Den originally in the 5 gallon but when I upgraded his tank I moved him to the entryway onto a sturdier table.

I'm debating the following options:
a) Buying a tank stand and moving him in his existing tank to my 'zen den'. I'm thinking maybe this will be the least stressful for him?
b) Buying another 10 gal aquarium with less water flow from the filter (and moving him to my 'zen den' onto the tank stand)
c) Back to the 5 Gallon (and back to the 'zen den')!
Either way, we'll have more interaction instead of him just seeing me walk by and say hello.

I see this happening quite often here on the forum. Betta is doing great in his 3.5 to 5 gallon tank. We get to thinking they would do better in a bigger tank. Move them and their personality changes and not always for the better.

I think I would put him back in the place and tank he was comfortable in if at all possible.

Thank you too for your thoughtful reply. I think I may move him this weekend. It will be a task because there are rasboras in the 5 gallon but I'm sure they'll love the upgrade!

 

My Betta (and his Minnows) were delivered a shade over 24 hours ago. All very young fish.

I decided a few months ago that if I had a Betta he would have lots of space and companions that wouldn't cause him an issue (and that he would cause an issue with them).

I now have the poshest sofa side lamp ever

15g hexagonal Aqua-El aquarium on its own stand, with artificial plants, huge lump of mopani, smooth stones, black gravel.....put the Betta and his Minnows in there yesterday morning and its placed to one side of the sofa. Murf, the Betta, is having an absolute ball...he seems to think he is a Minnow and happily schools around the aquarium with them all day....and most of the night.

We interact a lot already and when he has had enough of looking at me he can see one of my other aquariums on the other side of the room or he goes off to explore his own kingdom from his mopanI throne We are at eye level most of the time and its not a high traffic area, just the corner of the room - close enough to interact but far enough away for him to go off and do his own thing

I guess that since he went from the fish supplier's small holding aquarium on his own to sharing a 15 gallon with a bunch of Minnows he has settled quite well and doesn't seem fazed by all the extra space and he loves his Minnow pals too which might make a difference in his mood and temperment compared to having the 15 gallon to himself. He has not experienced a smaller aquarium in the home setting like yours has, I imagine that would have an effect on some fish of feeling insecure but as long as your fish still sees you and can interact with you, he will probably be fine over time

 

Great looking tank and fish! I also feel that bettas do better in 5 gallon tanks. My bettas in 5 gallon tanks do much better than the ones I have in 10 gallon but again he might just need to get used to his new enviroment. I put a betta in a 30 gallon and all he did was hide for weeks, so I had to move it back to his 5g

 

Great looking tank and fish! I also feel that bettas do better in 5 gallon tanks. My bettas in 5 gallon tanks do much better than the ones I have in 10 gallon but again he might just need to get used to his new enviroment. I put a betta in a 30 gallon and all he did was hide for weeks, so I had to move it back to his 5g

Thank you so much for your feedback and compliment on my tank! I've been online looking for a smaller tank each time I get a break between Clients and I'm thinking of splitting the difference and putting him in a 7-8 gallon. I just want him happy.

 

From my experience some are okay with a 10 gallon and some not so much. I’ve moved some Betta from a 3 to a 5 and they started acting weird. I just moved one from a 3 to a 10 and he loves it. I have a crowntail who went from pet store cup into a somewhat divided 10. I would say he has access to about 7 or so gallons, no problem there. I think it just depends.