Beta fish

>>18047526
Your fish might be bored. Try getting some different fish accessories for the bowl. They get suicidal when they are bored.

Often Bettas jump simply because they can but it may also be a sign that your water quality isn’t what it needs to be. If you have a jumper follow up with the usual water tests. Check your ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH. Rather then jumping some bettas will hoist themselves on top of a leaf or other floating decoration. If you notice this behavior double check your water parameters to rule out poor water quality as the culprit. Often the reason is benign but it’s best to know for certain if your Betta is trying to tell you something.

Imagine someone stuck you in a dixie cup full of air, then stuck that cup at the bottom of the ocean. How happy would you be?

>dude expects an exotic fighting fish to live in a goldfish bowl

>>18047526
In the wild they jump from water source to water source. They typically do this when they're not happy in there current home. Contrary to popular belief, a Betta fish needs a minimum of 10 gallons, filter and LIVE plants, moss balls. Proper aquarium gravel and places to hide.

>>18047709
Also, they like warm water, 76 to 80 degrees is ideal for them.

>>18047694
For the last year he's just had rocks and been fine....should we get him a plamt? I worry it will just give him something to jump off of?

>>18047696
We use spring water...the same water we have always used. I really don't want to get into testing his water because frankly it sounds like too much work. Nothing has changed about his water.

>>18047721
It shouldnt matter. The bowl should be covered anyways.

>>18047701
I like to view it as having saved him from another home...he never knew what it was like in the wild....

>>18047721
Yes, get him a plant. Silk plants are the best! The other advice is good, too. A lot of people aren't aware that betta fish need giant tanks of water, but you might already know because you seem like a responsible fish owner.

>>18047709
This is not feasible, and he has been happy in a small bowl for the last year...

>>18047716
My air temp is about 74 and has not changed for the last year...I'm assuming his water temp is about the same?

>>18047736
How big? The last beta I kept in a big bowl jumped about 3 months in....this one has seemed very happy in a small bowl for the last year...the jumping is new in the last few days...I'm just worried we are close to the end.

>>18047721
I've had mine for 5 years. He has all the things I mentioned. I also switch up his food between the betta pellets and dried blood worms. You can get marimo moss balls from pet stores or even online. They should be about $9 for 3 of them. They help with water quality, low maintenance and give live for 100's of years and don't require much light, if taken cared of properly.

Another good plant are java ferns, again, grow easily and hardy.

The plants, moss balls should be at the bottom

>>18047754
Thanks! Good advive...we just have a small bowl... will there be room? Also, we have only ever given him the beta pellets, will it shock him to give something else like the dried blood worms? I've given those in the past, but I've never had a beta live this long so I feel like what we are doing now is working?