Question about a Betta :S?

Question

Hey! So, im fish-sitting my friends betta. I know hes not that young, considering I bought him for her more than a year ago. He seems alright, comes up to me when I feed him, swims fast around the tank sometimes, but when hes not, hes either at the bottom of the tank in the corner, or resting on a plant. Is this normal behavior? Do they rest a lot? Also, I have my own betta, and when a mirror is near him, he flares up. Curious, I put one infront of my pet sitting fish, and he ignored it. His fins are never up either, even when hes swimming. Is he getting old, or is there something wrong with the tank? Any tips on what I could do?

Answer 1

Bettas will settle at the bottom of the tank to sleep or take a break.

Sounds to me like his water is to cold.

People think that bettas do not need a filter or airator or heater in their tank, but really they do. They have a shorter life span just being in a bowl or one of those stupid plant bowls people put on their desk.

I have a male betta in a 5 gallon tank that has all the things I mentioned above and he is very active. All the time flaring up, racing around the tank. He really like the current that the filter makes in the tank. He is all the time playing in it.

Answer 2

he is not getting old most live about 4 years

does he have a heater he may be cold

bettas are not very active  

Answer 3

bettas are quite active when housed properly. stick one in a heated 10g and he'll perk right up...

sounds pretty normal if he's in a bowl or vase or doesn't have a heater. they can't swim all the time, bettas are known for loving to rest in plants.  

Answer 4

i agree with the person above they aren't very active when i first got mine he rested about alot lol lazy bettas :p maybe he has diffrent food at your freinds house and he dosn't like this one much or he might just not like his new suroundings see if there's anything that he might not like :x

good luck and how long is your freind going away for!

hope he/she enjoys it!

Answer 5

they seem fine to me considering i have 3 Betta's