hello im from before my betta fish wouldnt eat

Question
Ok before I ask you other questions I would like to answer your question 'how long have I had my betta' I had him since August 22 2007. My grandma gave him (he's a boy) to me. Ok. Now my questions. Why does he mostly stay behind his plant? And i have a light that warms his tank but when he goes there he sometimes goes nuts like he wants to go out where I am.And he still won't eat a lot. He'd eat maybe one or two flakes. And how can I give him exercise? And can I feed him little pieces of bread and peas? what else can you give them besides worms because my mom is not to fond of worms (or frozen) being in our fridge or freezer. Thanks for answering my other questions. Have a Great Week!
Bye

Answer
Hi Amanda
Ok, so it's a new betta then, cool :)

One thing with those lights, they can heat the water up too hot very quickly.  Vast temperature changes-up or down can stress the fish, even putting them into shock or killing them.  Bettas should do fine between 76-80 F.  

Check your house temperature, I'm assuming it's summer time where you live, so it should be fine-and assuming your parents keep their house temperature around 76-80F. If so, I wouldn't use the light too often.  The problem comes in the winter time, it's too expensive to keep the house heated that high, so his water temperature will be a bit cooler.  I'd recommend using the light more so then(winter time), but you have to be careful and monitor it closely so it doesn't get too hot and doesn't change much either.  That's what's hard about those small bowls/tanks.  Try looking on the links I gave you earlier, they may have some suggestions for keeping a smaller container like that at a warm and steady temperature.  

That actually may be why he's hiding behind the plant & going nuts, the light may be too hot or too bright for him.  Try keeping it off and see if he comes out more.  Are you changing his water frequently too?  Poor water quality will make them act strange as well.

For the eating, he may still be adjusting to everything, and again the light may be bothering him, or if you haven't changed the water, the water quality can be bothering him.  Most betta owners don't feed them that much anyway, they'll feed them only 4 or 5 little pellets a day, so the 2 flakes isn't that bad really.  

For exercise, not much really lol, once he gets used to you he might follow your hand/finger around the tank.  You could try putting a small mirror up by him and see if he flares at it thinking it's another betta.  

No bread, no nutritional value, and just mess up the tank.  You can feed a small piece of the inside of a pea probably twice a week would be good for him.  Helps with constipation for all fish.  They also sell freeze dried bloodworms.  That way mom doesn't have to have worms in the freezer lol.  I like the frozen ones better though for my fish, they seem to like them better as well.  Tell her you'll keep them in the plastic bag, and they come in a plastic container, not like they're out in the open so when she opens the door she'll see a worm :)  I have a few dead fish in my freezer as well I need to bury in the yard.

Hope that helps, and let me know if you have more questions!  You have a great week too and thanks!

Christy