Symptoms:

• Fish with no other signs of illness is lethargic
• Fish seems bored

What is it?

Depression! Bettas are very intelligent fish that require stimulation to live long and healthy lives.

How did it get there?

Bettas are highly intelligent fish that are very aware of their surroundings. They need stimulation in order to fulfill their fighting spirit.

Treatment

As you have probably already heard, showing your betta a mirror will cause him to flare and attempt to fight. By doing this correctly you can bolster your fish's self esteem and have him display all of the beauty of a dominant male/female. A few times a week, use a mirror to show him his reflection, keep the time span the same. When he is facing the mirror with his gills flared gradually take the mirror away and then below his tank so that he cannot see it. He will see that as his opponent gradually backing away and realize he is the winner. This should not be done by showing two betta males each other because while one will be the winner, the other will be the loser and thus more depressed.

Prevention

• Occasionally fish will become depressed if under stimulated or in too small of a tank. They are territorial fish and by keeping them in a little container, you are only giving them a tiny bit of territory. By giving your fish stimulation a few times a week and the largest territory you can, you will insure a happy fish.