Betta Fish Always Sleeping

Question
Hi Brian.

I've had a betta for about 11 months now.  He's in a Baby Biorbe with a filter and I change the water according to instructions.  He has a heater and the temperature is 75.  He doesn't have any visible health issues or growths.

For the past 4 weeks he has been hanging out and "sleeping" all the time, constantly.  He will come up if you tap the bowl or talk into it, but then he goes right back down.  Sometimes he will take a bite of food, but then he goes right back to sleep.  What is going on with him????  I'm very worried about him, and I want to help if he's sick, but he's not really displaying any other signs of illness.

Thanks for your help,
Lori

Answer
Hi Lori:   I Found your question in the common question pool and thought I would give it a try.... It sounds to me like your little guy is bored.  Try to turn the temperature up to about 78...but do it slowly... a degree an hour and the next time you find yourself at the aquarium ask them if they have the gelatin bubbles for betta... these are the strangest things.... the look like gobs of oil and the betta love to swim in them and roll around in them.  bettas come from rice fields and they love to be in the mud...if you can find the gelatin bubbles your little fellow may just become a new fish... keep me posted... dave

Hi Lori: sorry to hear that he passed on... Betta's live only about three years and dependind on genetics sometimes shorter.  It sounds like to me that he was very well cared for and that it was just his time to go.  Fish have enriched my life for many years.  I work at an aquarium and some of my other co-workers think its odd that I go around and talk to the fish...ok.. it is odd but I do it anyways... because I feel like they are the best part of my working there.  I would encourage you to get another fish and even a betta... I just brought home a male and three females and am quite happy to have them here.  I keep them and the guppies by the kitchen sink and as I do dishes we all catch up on the day.  The guppies are very inquisitive about what im up to... anyways... the point I was making was that fish are really a great part of all of our lives and its sad when we lose one... so when you are ready... get another.  dave