Beta might be sick?

Question
Hi Lindsay,

Fin, my beta, who I love with all of my heart, seems depressed. He lives in a 5 gallon tank with a filter , heater, thermometer, and 3 living plants. He used to come up to greet me when I got home from work everyday, but now when I call him, he doesn't even react...he just hangs out at the bottom on the tank. When I feed him (dried blood worms) he comes up to eat, but not with the same enthusiasm as he used to, and then slowly drifts back down to the bottom on his side. What should I do?!!

Thank you.
Leigh

Answer
Hi Leigh,

I'm sorry to hear about your lazy betta!  It sounds like you're doing everything you can for him; the blood worms are excellent by the way.  The only thing I can suggest is getting him a little exercise.  In the pet stores you'll always see bettas "flaring" at each other, puffing out their gills and standing their fins on end, trying to make themselves look bigger to frighten off the other one.  When they live in a tank by themselves, they have nothing to do all day and get no exercise, letting themselves get lazy.  I call them "gravel potatos."  What you can do is place him in front of a mirror so that he sees himself, thinking he's another fish, and he'll start flaring at his reflection.  This usually perks them up without a problem.  I'd just leave him in front of the mirror (or leave the mirror in front of the tank) permanently so he doesn't get bored again.

I hope this helps, please let me know if there's anything else I can do for you!

-Lindsay