Bored Betta?

[UncaBret]

I recently moved my betta from the 1 gallon he has been in for 3 years to a fully cycled 2.5, filtered with 2 plants. He spends most of his time on the bottom with his head under a rock! I thought maybe the light was two much, so I replaced the 15w with a 7.5.(his first tank wasn't lighted).
He used to swim around his 1g all the time, flare his gills at people and watch whomever was on the computer. Could he just be getting old?

 

[beatle]

How long has he been in his new tank? He might still be nervous about his new surroundings. What's the temperature of the new tank? 80-82 is a nice temperature for bettas.

 

[Betta-Luvn]

he could maybe want a buddy, or maybe hes just having troubles adapting to his new home..

 

[UncaBret]

he could maybe want a buddy, or maybe hes just having troubles adapting to his new home..

I was thinking about maybe a couple of feeder guppies. He's been in a couple of weeks. The first few days he was fine. :huh:

 

[knashash]

Since when does chilling out under a rock mean hes bored or unhappy?...Bettas like to chillout....unless hes showing signs of sickness I wouldnt worry about it too much

 

[TheMightyQueenPixie]

KNASH is right Bettas are not necesarily all that active...They spend long periods of time "just chillin"..I have one that lays on his side like a dog...Eventually he gets up and pokes around...It takes alot of energy to move those big fins around...
Donot add any guppys...Bettas are territorial and you dont want him stressing out over another fish in the tank..Just let him be, he is probably fine..

 

[UncaBret]

Okay, forget the guppies.

He's just never acted like this before.

 

[knashash]

Well as you said, he may be getting lazy in his old age. 3 years is pretty significant for a betta.

 

[UncaBret]

Unfortunatly, he died this evening. Could he have gotten something from the plants? I bought the tubed ones at Petco.
There were no ich spots on his gills, and no other outward signs of problems, maybe it was just his time?

 

[TheMightyQueenPixie]

I think it was just "his time"... When my old times are close they get pretty lathargic and dont feed...Occasionally get a breath of air, then settle on the bottom again...It doesnt take long for them to go....

Give yourself a pat on the back for keeping him healthy for so long though! 3 is a ripe old age