Toy For Bettas?

[keithp]

I know this is going to sound strange, but my betta seems bored. I was wondering if there is anything I can give to the betta to play with as a "toy" to keep her entertained for a little bit a day. I was looking for one of those really tiny remote control submarines that are battery operated, which i can put in the tank and let the betta chase for only a few minutes a day, (she likes to chase things amazingly) I also found one of those cheap plastic finding nemo tanks (a battery operated Toy tank) where little plastic fish "swim" by a magnet underneath, the toy fish are half the size of a real betta, so they wont scare the betta. I was thinking of tying one of the plastic fish to clean fishing line, and then moving the fish on the line with my hand around the top of the water so she can "chase" it.
Nemo toy-

Either that or put the toy tank next to her tank so she can watch them swim, it makes no noise all she will see is tiny fake fish swimming next to her, I guess better than nothing since she is in a tank alone with no other fish or moving object to chase or interact with.

I also thought about tying a piece of paper to a string and hanging it over the water so she can jump and try to get it, but if it fell she would try to eat the paper, so I dont want to do that.

 

[bronzecat]

Hi

I know some people use ping pong balls Or those plastic practice golf balls with the holes in.

 

[modaz]

ping pongs are a good way. Dont add these submersible toys if they have blades to make them move. To honest you would just freak the betta out with it.

I always seem to think that its the owner who is bored rather than the betta so maybe a revamp of the tank is needed to satisfy your needs, loads of hiding places and things to explore are good for bettas, rather than toys as such.

 

[wackystarfish]

a floating or even better, semi-floating ball works wonders! it used to keep mine amused for hours lol! Also, generally, give him something to look at, bettas seem to like crowded, usually tacky tanks hahaha. Actually, bettas are naturally inquisitive. They do get bored and sulk heh heh

 

[keithp]

A ping pong ball is too big for my betta, she is a Very small female. I taught her to chase a toothpick with food hanging from it, she will jump out of the water to get the food. She likes to stalk around the water plants, but besides her nothing else moves in the tank. I'm trying to duplicate like how she would react in a aquarium with other tropical fish and the stimulation of seeing them, just without live fish.

I will see if I have a tiny plastic ball, that seems good and I know it wont harm her.

 

[squiremaster]

How come I never heard of these things

 

[Christi_22]

Hi KeithP

I love the thought you have put into entertaining your Betta, its amazing. you obviously care for your fish very much. How big is the tank?

C

 

[Gill]

There are the Small USB Tanks on Ebay that are very Cheap and they have Floating Fish in the less than 1Cm.
To entertain the Fighters I used to keep, I usually made sure I had Daphnia or Mozzie Larvae for them to hunt.

 

[keithp]

My betta is in a 3 gallon, that's why I cant put any other animals with her. I have plants in the tank, but otherwise any more decor would crowd the tank or make extra things to clean. I purposely picked out the smallest female betta in the pet store for this reason, a large male would not have had too much room to swim, but a tiny short-finned female is smaller and thus has more room to swim.

Do you have a link to the USB tanks for me to see? Sometimes I give live brine shrimp, but they dont live very long after purchase and foul the water after a while.

 

[Gill]

AS no Ebay Links are allowed, Use Ebay Item: 260377999359

 

[newfishy]

small moss balls. someone is sure having a good time rolling them around my sorority community tank.

 

[Glegorly]

You could always add a few live food such as Brine Shrimp for your betta to catch and eat. Changing the decoration or theme of the tank every so often will give it something else to look at and interact with and its also like looking at a different tank for you!

 

[wilsonnw8]

You could always add a few live food such as Brine Shrimp for your betta to catch and eat. Changing the decoration or theme of the tank every so often will give it something else to look at and interact with and its also like looking at a different tank for you!

Ive heard of people hanging parrot toys in the water that have bits of mirror on etc

 

[keithp]

I just got the Nemo mini tank toy- and my betta LOVED it! She watches the fake fish swim and thinks she has neighbors. She will swim right next to the tank outside and swim right in front of it and just watch the fake fish, i'm glad she likes it!

If you have a tank with a filter, you could drop the fake fish in and let the current move them (they move by filter current, the fish are just plastic with no motor or blade) Your betta can chase them then since the fake fish are smaller than the betta.

link to toy page- http/images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=htt...sa%3DN%26um%3D1