betta.. do they get lonely

[SchizotypalVamp]

Bettas can and do live well in communities. It depends on the betta.

 

[justahannah]

Agree with schizo, with the addition of "and the community". Avoid fin nippers, aggressive fish, fish that even mildly resemble another betta (no other long, flowing fins), guaramis (they're related and will fight), and really fast active fish that'll stress the betta out. Bettas like things slow and peaceful. A lot of people have success with neon tetras, harlequin rasboras, cory catfish, shrimp may or may not work depending on if the betta has a taste for them, same with snails....but for any of that to work, you need a bigger tank. It also helps to go with a well planted tank, bettas like their privacy and a place to get away from the activity. I'd go with a 10 gallon for a solo betta, a 20 or larger if adding any community fish with him since most other peaceful fish like to be kept in schools so you'd be pushing the bioload on a ten. And always have a backup home for the betta if it turns out to be too aggressive and harasses the other fish or the other fish harass him (even peaceful fish might go after those delectable fins). I've kept my betta in my 46gallon community for a little over a month without issue...but it's a large tank with lots of plants and territories for the different fish species.

*Edit* All that said, it can be hard to find the right betta and the right tankmates if any work at all. It can be very hit and miss. And even with mine in a community tank, he does not socialize with the other fish. He doesn't pay them any attention good or bad...he hangs out in the water lettuce and the hygro, reacts to me when I'm around. But he really doesn't seem to notice the others exist except during feeding time, and then he flares if they get too close to his special pellets. So I don't think they get lonely for other fish. I had a betta once that seemed to be the exception and played tag with my otos sometimes, would race my rainbows...but you don't hear of a lot like him, and he died after catching something from a fish I didn't quarantine long enough. And even he was solitary most of the time, I think he played with them because they were there, but would have been just as happy left alone in a well decorated 10.

 

[owl]

Lately he has this trick where he'll hang out in the corner closest to the couch if I'm sitting there and pick up bits of sand, and spit it out, look me over, pick up more sand, spit it out, glare a bit more...it's like he's saying "I'm so hungry and pathetic, I eat sand. You know you want to feed me." It doesn't work though

:rofl:

 

[Danyal]

depends on the danios he's in with, one of my bettas spent 3 of his 4 1/2 years in a 29g with glowlight, pearls and longfin leopard danios

 

[ezlope]

My Betta at work is in a 3 gal w/an Albino Cori.
They get along fine but I intend on taking the Cori home & puttin him back with his buddies next weekend when I upgrade my big tank.
I also have a Betta at home but his personality isnt as good... I think my work Betta just gets to see more people so he acts a fool more often!

 

[jpappy789]

I wouldn't say they get lonely as they are solitary fish. But the more room the better, and in fact many people see positive results when placing bettas in community tanks.

 

[noodles62]

My Betta has snails for tank mates. He checked them out when I first put them in but now does not bother them. Give him some plants and a cave or stump and he will entertain himself and you.....I could not find mine the other morning and I started freaking out - he was down inside the fake stump decor, sleeping! (it has a large hole in the top) That is his favorite hideout....Crazy fish!

 

[Virtuoso2K12]

They need a good 5g to truely live happily. I would't add nothing and they seem to enjoy their own space.

 

[irishspy]

I would get a bigger tank, bettas really show their personalities when they have ample room to swim in, more than 5 gallons.

:iagree:

Bettas don't get lonely, I think, so much as they get bored from a lack of stimulus. They're predators and like to have places to explore while hunting for food.

 

[Firey rosetail]

I was told when I bought a pleco that a betta would not eat it. I found him dead the next day, I think he pecked at his eyes and as for the golden mystery snail that I found remains of, I think he just picked at it. Both the plec/ plecto and the snail were tanked with the same Betta, that carnivore! I realize now though he needed more space.