Lazy Bettas?

Warborg

Goliath Tigerfish
MFK Member
Sep 2, 2009
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Austin, Texas
Are all Bettas lazy?

I've had 2 in my 10 gallon now... and both times they seem active when first put in there but then retreat into hiding and are not seen 95% of the time.

I keep hearing from people that it's cruel to keep a Betta in a bowl rather then a 5+ gallon tank, but if this is normal for them then I kind of see it as wasteful.
 

fishnatics

Goliath Tigerfish
MFK Member
Mar 1, 2008
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Wisconsin
Bettas are not the most active fish to keep. You literally have to really like them to keep them. As you stated, they don't do much except lay there and eat until you throw in another male and then their attitude changes.
 

benzjamin13

Administrator
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Sep 12, 2005
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Los Angeles, CA
Bettas will be more active in stagnant water. If you got any current from your filter or bubbler in your tank besides a trickle, they will go into hiding and/or a spot that has less flow.
 

xraycer

Arapaima
MFK Member
Sep 5, 2013
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Southern NH USA
I've had bettas in tanks up to 75gal and while they stay put most of the time, as soon as I approached the tank they would be all hyped up and begging for food
 

convict360

Potamotrygon
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Dec 9, 2013
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My betta was quite inquisitive when I stuffed his 2.5 gallon with elodea, he'd poke his way through it in a way I perceived as "fun" lol, just to flare at me through the glass
 
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