I appreciate everyone caring about my depressed fish. My husband, the wise one in this house ;0) did a search on the internet and found that depression is pretty common in Bettas /Fighting Fish. He read that changing their environment can help - they get bored, lol. He also read to try giving them bloodworms or brine shrimp to encourage them to eat.
So, this has been Ember's home for as long as I've had him, the mirror is not normally there, I put it there seeing if he would attempt to fight with himself - this was also a tip Dennis read while researching so I was on the right track. But, I made a mistake - the plant is a plastic plant and apparently this is not good. Bettas like their plants but the plastic hurts their fins.
If you look back up at the top photo you will see that we replaced his plastic plant with some live plants. I don't know how long they will actually live with so little light but I'm hopeful. We also found bloodworm and low and behold he ate! Each morning since the change he has been eating at least one pellet and one bloodworm. And, last night he was flitting about in his tank - he seems happier.
Aw, poor little fishy! Yes, we get bloodworms for our goldfish sometimes, just as a treat, and don't they love them? I hope the little chap recovers quickly!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a neat little tank he has!
I guess all living creatures can be depressed and this one is lucky to get some treatment. Fresh plants and something attracting to eat will help I'm sure. Photowise I like the lightning on the top one, looks like a nice and peaceful place :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad!!! I hate it when my fish are unhappy. We only went through that once (three fish ago) and eventually he died. My husband had the idea of bringing him mosquito larvae. Which he loved, but they made him sick and killed him eventually. Going through a pet store for something special is probably a good idea.
ReplyDeleteMaybe that is what is wrong with my little guy. I'm going to have to try that!! Glad your Betta is feeling better!!
ReplyDeleteI just love happy endings! We give our fish both bloodworms and brine shrimp - they devour them in no time flat! Fresh plants also help regulate the nitrate levels in the water.
ReplyDeletei'm so glad to hear Ember is doing better. sometimes a change of scenery is all anyone ever needs. his tank is looking really nice with all those live plants. hope he continues to eat and thrive. have a great day.
ReplyDeleteHad no clue fish could have feelings. Learn something every day! Food would have been first on my list if I had a depressed fish...
ReplyDeleteNow, do depressed kitties fancy depressed fish?!? :)
who knew . . . you are such a nice owner of the fish :) I hope you had a great Thanksgiving.
ReplyDeletePoor fishy! I don't think you are supposed to leave the mirror there all the time though. We were told when we had ours years ago that a mirror will actually make them mad so only to hold it for a few minutes in front of the tank then remove it. Hope he cheers up! Hugs xoxox
ReplyDeleteSo glad your fish is feeling better! Poor thing - glad he has such caring owners!
ReplyDeleteHe´s alone, I think.
ReplyDeleteHe is awfully lucky to have you guys care about him so much. Thanks for the tips. If we ever get another betta, I'll keep this in mind!
ReplyDeleteMaybe he has SAD - Seasonal Affective Disorder - and needs some sunshine. He is very lucky to have you worrying about him!
ReplyDelete[...] How to cheer up a depressed betta (fighting fish) | Lisa's Chaos [...]
ReplyDelete[...] How to cheer up a depressed betta (fighting fish) | Lisa's Chaos [...]
ReplyDeleteI'm not an expert, but from the articles i've read, betta's are stressed by fighting and the mirror will not help
ReplyDeletethanks for the tips and info I believe my fish is depressed-he is not eating much just hangs around in the bottom of the tank--doesn't react much when I come near him to feed him either. I am going to try some brine shrimp as well as changing the bowl he is in. I do however have live flower in container that he is in. Hope this works. Thanks alot.
ReplyDeleteyou should try aquarium salt and anti chloride
ReplyDeletei mean clorine
ReplyDeletei mean chlorine
ReplyDeletemy female betta seems depressed. she isnt really eating very much but she's pretty small so i'm not sure if the pellets im feeding her are too big, or if she dont like em
ReplyDeleteif u have any advice please write a comment on this here page
ReplyDeleteplease if u get on this website please tell me what 2 doooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeletemy male is acting exactly the same and he is also quite small. i have them in a half gallon tank with no light and i have a betta and a white cloud in a gallon with a light so if you have advice tell me
ReplyDeletethe female and male i have in the same tank has a devider so they might not know each other are there! my gallon doesnt have a devider between the wcm and my betta and they seem much happier so could it be because my female and male bettas are lonely?
ReplyDeleteMy male smells like a fart so please help me
ReplyDeletesorry that was my idiot friend so please ignore that
ReplyDeleteyou guys do really cool stuff when you hang out.
ReplyDeleteNo wonder its depressed, the tank is devoid of life.
ReplyDeleteMy betta is new, i moved him into his 9L tank and he has felt plants and hides. He looks in good health other then the fact he doesnt eat very much and doesnt swim verg often.
ReplyDeleteHe flares when i hold up a mirror but that figures out whats happening and sinks to the bottom again...
Im not sure what i should do to help him