Betta suicide?

[Vincenia]

I put my HMPT into a 3 gallon which has a filter and heater about a few weeks agao, just did a water change on it yesterday. I had him for a little over a year. He had jumped out of the tank and I just found him, all dried up. He built 3 bubble nests in the tank, usally means they are happy. He ate this morning.. I don't know when he jumped.. but it upsets me that my favorite betta, Freddie, would commit suicide. :[ I don't know the reason why he'd jump out.... Freddie was always happy to see me and danced for food.




Now I'm down to one betta.

 

[Kaosu]

I doubt it was an intentional suicide (or that fish are capable of that) ....he could of jumped in fear..or jumped at something out side of the tank my bettas jump up out of the water for food in my fingers.

 

[Vincenia]

He was known to jump at my fingers for food...

 

[excuzzzeme]

Fish can jump for any reason you might think of. The list is long and there may be reasons that aren't even on the list. It's one of the sad realities of having fish and why having tanks covered when unattended are suggested. I wouldn't call it deliberate suicide since as it stands now, fish don't reason things out. Building bubblenests are a sign of a healthy fish wanting to mate, not necessarily a happy one. Regardless, a death is a death and it sucks. Hope the rest live long lives!

 

[OrionGirl]

Jumping from puddle to puddle is how bettas move around...that he was building bubble nests means he wanted to spawn, so most likely he was looking for a mate. Bettas should NEVER be kept in uncovered tanks.

 

[authmal]

Bettas should NEVER be kept in uncovered tanks.

Now, to communicate that to all the people that think 4 ounces of water in a glass with some marbles at the bottom are perfect betta homes.....

 

[Windy]

I agree with Oriongirl, Bettas should not be kept in uncovered tanks or for that matter any fish.

 

[Vincenia]

The tank is covered. There is a small hole for food to be dropped in and another hole for the filter to fit. I'm keeping the tank running right now and wondoring if I should put another betta into it when I can. I do water changes on the 3g twice a week since it's small. Thinking of putting a few snails into the tank to have something to look at. IT's just sitting emtry with 3 plants.