Betta question

Hi everyone, I am new to the forums and so far I love it!!! I had a question about my new Betta, Jaws. I just got him last Tuesday for my birthday. I have really loved having him for these last few days, but how can I tell he is happy in his new home? He seems to be fairly active, but doesn't respond when I feed him. This is kinda bumming me out. I feed him Top Fin Betta Bits, which are supposed to be good. Also, how often do you think Betta's are supposed to sleep? Jaws just kinda sits there on top of his roman column I bought for him sometimes for extended periods. He is about an inch from the water's surface when he does this and goes to the surface to get air about every 30 minutes or so. The girl at PetSmart gave me some hints so that he would live for a while, maybe some of you can let me know if these are true:

-Change water every 3 weeks
-No moving water (such as bubbles) b/c it stresses them out
-Add a live plant so that he has some oxygen (I added a pretty bamboo b/c she said these were what they were accustomed to)
-Gravel, but not alot
-Something decorative so it can swim around in it (I have a roman column)
-Fake plant

I really want to be successful with Jaws, I think he is so pretty, but unfortunatley I have not had the best of luck with fish in the past. Any advice would be much appreciated!

Thanks so much!

First off, I want to congratulate you on your new pet and welcome to pettalk! Alot of people here are Betta savvy so you'll get plenty of help.

If you've only had him a few days and he's not eating, then it is nothing to worry about. He is most likely still settling into his new home. You should change the water and clean the tank once a week at least. 3 weeks without a water change is way too long and the betta will be swimming in his own waste. A bit digusting if you ask me. Personally, I don't think you NEED a live plant but that's your choice. I've never put a betta fish in with a live plant and my fish last years. One died at the age of 4, another when he was 5, and a I currently have one who's almost two.

I hope I've helped you some. Here's a link to a good website:
http://www.healthybetta.com/

How big is your tank? I know if it's 3 gallons or more it can be a pain to clean. That should determine if you need a filter or not. I've never heard of moving water like bubbles troubling bettas, that's a new one to me, so I am unsure. I'd reccommend if you have something like 2.5 gallon tank then you should get a filter. I have a 3 gallon and it came with a built in filter.

Thanks for the info. :) The tank I have him in is about a gallon and a half I would say. It's kinda a bowl type thing I got at Home Goods (A TJ Maxx type store that sells decorative things). I was thinking 3 weeks was a bit long to go without a water change. He loves to blow those bubble nests-I think that is the name. I have been doing my research and trying to really learn alot b/c I don't want to have bad luck with him. It seems the bubble nests are a sign of happiness, but when he wasn't eating, I was a bit worried. My tank has no filter, because I think it might be too small for one. It seems plenty big for Jaws though. I had a betta a couple years ago that only lived a couple weeks. I was asking her to tell me what she thinks could be the problem and when I mentioned I had a filter with bubbles in it she said that was probably it. She was telling me it stressed Betta's out b/c it was too much running water, but then again, she also told me to wait 3 weeks to change the water!! LOL Do you think I should get one or wait a couple more weeks and see how Jaws does? I definitley want to keep him happy! :D Thanks again!
Here is a pic to better explain-now that I know how to attatch them! LOL

Welcome to PT and congrats on the new Betta! :)

I've had a couple spawns and have had well over 100 bettas come into this house. I had over 40 seperate tanks at one point. I've since stopped bringing home new bettas because the three dogs keep me busy enough so now it's just two.

Since you got him last Tuesday and it's now Sunday, he should be settling in and getting comfy in his new home. If he's still not eating, try a different food. I personally only feed Hikari frozen bloodworms or Hikari Betta Bio-Gold. Those two seem to be favorites for both owners and breeders. I have never had a betta pass up frozen bloodworms. They love it! Try that if he's still not eating. :)

Don't worry too much about him sleeping. :) It's nice if you can provide some things for them to rest on, like plants, just so they can rest their fins for a bit.

As for what the girl at Petsmart told you..

-DO change the water at least once a week. Preferably 2 (or even three depending on if he acts stressed out with that many a week). One is the absolute bare minimum. If you don't have a cycled tank (I won't cycle a tank under 10 gallons), then do 100% water changes (take the temp of the old water, put him in another container, match the new water's temp with the old water's temp, add dechlorinator, aquarium salt if you use it, and net him back into the tank)

-Moving water tends to stress them out

-You don't have to have a live plant. Bettas go to the surface for air so they don't need a plant, air bubbles, etc. Live plants are great for them to rest on and play around on though :)

-Add gravel if you like. It doesn't really matter. I didn't when I got more bettas because it became a pain to do 100% water changes for all of them. If you do choose to filter a larger tank though, gravel is a must.

-Decorations and fake plants are nice so they have some place to hide.. but be careful because their fins rip very easily. Avoid the sharp plastic plants. :)

Good luck! Bettas are LOTS of fun!

Hey, Welcome! And Congratulations on getting Jaws!

I have 3 bettas right now Andy, Barney and Rex. They are sweet and I love them. I clean their tank out once every week and a half and they seem fine with that. I feed them only once a day--they seem fine with that too ;) I feed mine betta flakes--not sure of the brand..?? They enjoy it, but I ran out of it about a week ago and am having to use my gold fish flakes!! :eek: but they seem alright until I get to the store to get some more food for them.

You're gonna really enjoy your betta I'm sure!
By the way I love his name--I use to have a rainbow shark named Jaws!

I just wanted to give an update on Jaws! He seems to be doing great. He has started eating and blows lots of bubble nests!! I am so happy he likes his home!! Thanks for all the help!! :D I love this site and you guys are great!