Shy Betta

a 5 gallon wouldn't be too much weight for your dining table, and you could use it as a centerpiece on the table 24/7. just drill a small hole in the table for all the cords to run through and down to an extension cord if the table is in the middle of the room. if it's against a wall, then ya don't have to worry about drilling that hole, just run the cords over the edge of the table at the wall.
 
it depends on the tankmates, the betta's activity level, how big the tank is, whether or not there's leftover food on the bottom....lol. but seriously, all bettas differ. you will see them swimming near the surface more than other fish, as they do need to get to the surface to breath air with their labyrinth organ often.
 
i had a betta, albeit it was female, in my 20 gallon community tank a while back. she went all over and actually hung out with the cories a bit too.
 
if he is happier being solitary, then a small tank with at least a filter is a better option than a bowl. heated and filtered is best, and generally it is difficult to heat any tank smaller than 5 gallons.
 
he was probably being harassed by the guppies and angelfish.
 
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