Hiding betta in gravel

Question
Hi Jaymie,

I am writing to ask about betta's hiding. My one betta had built 2 separate bubble nest's one I had rinsed away by cleaning the tank. Then as soon as he was put in his clean tank, he started to build another one and hovered around it as expected. Then when that was over and he got done pacing the tank, he burrowed a hole in the gravel by the berried heater and has been there ever since. Even when I feed the pellets he might come up and look but not eat, then he go's back down his hole and stays. Now my other betta hasn't built any nest's  and does hide at times, but then you will see him swimming around the tank. I hope my berried betta is ok and mabe just mad at be left with a bubble nest and nothing happening.  Need your suggestions      Thanks

Answer
Pat, He could be trying to stay warm. A lot of the under gravel heaters do not keep the water at the right temperature. His water needs to be at 80 degrees at all times. When the water is lower, they will become lethargic and not eat or swim. The best types of heater are the ones that are on the tank walls with a dial. They keep the water at the right temp. Betta's can go for 2 weeks without eating so no need to worry about that yet. Let me know what the water temp is.