I added 4 more neons to my betta's tank, because there were only two of them in there and they looked a bit sad and lost. I know neons are a schooling fish and aren't happy unless there are at least 6 of them, so I thought, hey - I'll get the little guys some buddies.

As soon as I added the new neons (which my husband named Mitsy, Bitsy, Itsy and Ditsy ) they immediately formed into a school and started charging around joyfully. Hurrah! I thought.

However, the little beggars have started really bullying Augustus, the betta. No really - I'm serious! They steal his food, they herd him into the corners, they won't let him have his favourite place under the filter, they even pursue him round the tank until he hides from them. Poor Augustus is looking more and more subdued every day. I have tried having a stern talk and explaining that he is bigger than them and has bigger teeth and that he should show them who's boss, but I don't think it's working.

No seriously, they really are giving him a hard time. What do y'all think I should do?

Honestly, Agustus didn't listen to your advice?? Maybe he's related to Jupiter.

Maybe you should have a talk with the troublemakers??

Seriously Emma, I dunno what I'd do either......... I wouldn't want to take em out, but I wouldn't want them harassing my betta either.

.... im not so sure.... maby haveing more hideing places ....
so theres less stressing out.

I wouldn't maintain a situation where my betta was being so harrassed in his own tank. It was his own tank wasn't it? Maybe go back to only two neons? Or give the neons a tank of their own? They have obviously ganged up on poor Augustus. I don't mean to be obnoxious - I just love my bettas.

Thanks guys.

I think I might take Augustus out and give him a large bowl of his own. He really doesn't like all the neons round him and I hate to see him miserable.

Is a large unfiltered bowl (about 2 gallons) with weekly 50% changes OK for a betta? Does it need to be heated or is room temperature OK?

A 2 gal, unfiltered bowl, less the neons, will probably make him very happy. Room temp works for my guys, but I live in Texas where the temp rarely drops below 75 to 80 degrees. How's the climate where you are? If it's chilly your betta may need a small heater. Nothing elaborate. My bettas are doing fine with very little equipment. They each have a 2 1/2 gal tank with marbles or stones and a couple of silk plants (one short for hiding under and one tall for sleeping). Good luck with making Augustus a new home!

just put the bowl in a warm room, so it doesn't get to cold....
he should do great alone in the unfilterd bowl,2 gallons is also great for a betta aswell,My betta lives in a 5 gallon unfiltered with 2 neons...
they do great.

oh, now you have to admit, thats funny! sounds like augustus is a real character! thats the funniest thing ive heard in ages! hope he does ok in that bowl. good luck. im sure he'll love his bowl. i had hades in a gaspacho bowl with a ladel in there with some gravel and a little plant and he loved it.

emmahj - have you gotten Augustus settled into his new home? How is he getting along. I'll bet he really likes being alone now.

I bought his bowl today and will be moving him into it either this evening or tomorrow. It's absolutely HUGE! I bought him lots of nice tall plants as well, so hopefully he will thoroughly enjoy himself in there in splendid solitude with no pesky neons.

On a sadder note, he has developed terrible finrot / fungal infection as well. I know why its' happened: it's because he kept hiding behind the heater - to get away from the neons - and burnt the end of his tail. That has obviously allowed secondary infections to get a hold. I am hoping that some peace and quiet and a little salt in fresh clean water will set him to rights though.

how is the betta, em?