Betta Lifespan?

[rbillingsley]

I heard from the aquarium store that Betta's only live between six months to 2-years. Is that true?

I have had my Betta for over six months and lately he is acting rather tired, for lack of a better word. He is not eating that much and I have presented him with Betta Bits, Flakes, Bloodworms, and shrimp, but he doesn't seem that interest.

When presented with a mirror he flared once then swam off and since then has been seen in front of the mirror laying on the bottom of the aquarium. He is spending most of his time laying on the bottom of the aquarium. He does swim around, but he is not as energetic as he was several months ago.

I have looked for infections, but don't see any. He did flare at the mirror and I didn't see anything when he did that. He is just not as active has has use to be.

Is there something else I should consider or is my Betta just getting old?

Thanks,

Richard..

 

[MermaidMel]

Can you post pics to give us an idea of his age and general condition please?
If he was fairly old when you bought him there's every chance he is getting old, but pics would give us a much better idea of his age x

 

[Amerce]

Most LF betta's are around 9 months old already, they are at their prime and tails are fully formed so display nicely. Shops don't normally buy them any earlier cause customers don't appreciate juvies.

So he may be around 1.5 years old already.

 

[monica]

He might just be bored. You could-
a) Change around his ornaments, move them into a different position
B) Get him a larger tank
c) Get him more ornaments
d) Change his location in the house where he can see more people
e) Get him a friend? (I mean a nwighbor he can flare at sometimes, or a snail, and if you have a large enough tank, a companion fish such as a few white clouds etc..)

 

[bettawen]

you could also try checkin your heater and the temp of the tank, if the waters to cool that will also make them lethargic. but in all possibilities its prob cos hes getting an old boy bless him. ive got a few that ar over 2 years old now but you woulndt think it to look at them but ive got another one of the same age who is behaving similar to yours and spends most of his time hiding under a bridge.

 

[dafooni]

Hi, I think your Betta is getting old. My Betta exhibits exactly the same behaviour as yours. I bought him in May 2005 so he could easily be 3.5 years old. I didn't expose him to a mirror for almost a year, and now he's terrified of his own reflection. And he also spends most of his time laying at the bottom or near the surface of the water.

Actually for about half a year I kept him in a bowl with nothing but pebbles in it. I felt really bad so I went down to the local pet shop and bought him a few colourful trees and now he seems quite content with his environment. I'm not sure if that will help though.

 

[Stacey13]

I recently lost a betta who was exibiting the same lethargic symptoms you describe. (Everything but the food, mine was still eating.) So I do believe yours could be near the end of his lifespan. However I would also follow the recommendations of the other posters, and make sure he is warm enough, and rearrange or add new decorations. I'm assuming you've tested his water quality?? That's the first thing I do when a fish seems to be acting differently.