Having a pet is not complete without playing with them. For some animals, including dogs and cats, toys are a necessity. In fact, all animals actually need something to keep them entertained, and fish are no exception.
In this article...
After considering all the options our top picks were…
Betta fish (Siamese fighting fish) in particular love having toys to play with. But what kind of betta fish toys should you include in your aquarium to keep your betta stimulated?
Results Summary
Every betta will have slightly different preferences when it comes to their toys, so here are some of the best betta fish toys based on different categories.
Since bettas are often very curious about their own appearance, this small mirror could be a great way to keep them entertained.
Best All-Rounder: Zoo Med Floating Betta Mirror
The best overall is the Zoo Med Floating Betta Mirror because even though they can only play with it for a few minutes at a time, it provides a good amount of exercise and entertainment.
R2 Fish School Complete Training Kit
Fish can actually learn tricks much like other animals can. So, this kit comes with plenty of interactive activities for your betta. It contains a series of balls, hoops, and goals to make sure that your fish never gets bored.
Most Quirky: R2 Fish School Complete Training Kit
The R2 Fish School Complete Training Kit is the most quirky because it provides an elaborate training course for your fish to learn unique tricks and games.
These fake jellyfish are able to float freely in the aquarium, making them the perfect object for your betta to push around and play with.
Editor’s Choice: Uniclife Glowing Jellyfish
The editor’s choice is the Uniclife Glowing Jellyfish because they provide a unique toy for your betta that also serves as a beautiful aquarium decoration.
What To Know About Betta Fish Toys
Keeping your fishy friend healthy is one thing, but you also need to make sure that your fish stays happy as well. Toys can be the perfect way to do that.
Why Do Betta Fish Need Toys?
Some people assume that fish are fine just swimming around in a bowl of water, but that isn’t the case. Bettas and many other fish are much smarter than people give them credit for. Because of this, betta fish need to be provided with mental stimulation in their habitat.
Betta fish and many other fish are much smarter than people give them credit for…
By having these toys in their tank, their stress levels will be lowered, making them overall healthier and nurture their natural instincts. It will also keep your betta entertained in order to help reduce their aggression (especially if you have two bettas in your tank) – having toys will overall help your betta fish bond with you.
Additionally, toys floating near the surface of the water will encourage a male betta to build bubble nests.
Types of Betta Fish Toys
While every fish might have slightly different preferences, there are a few common types of interesting toys that betta fish tend to enjoy.
A common toy is a ball. There are ball toys available like a ping pong ball that floats on the water’s surface or a moss ball that rests on the bottom of the betta tank. They can push the balls around to create their own exciting games and you can have the chance to capture funny moments of your betta fish chasing the ball.
Betta fish also enjoy items that they can weave through or hide in such as tubes, huts, and living plants or silk plants. A betta tank full of exciting places to explore is much more fun for them than a boring space with nothing to look at. Even a small mirror can be interesting for your fish to observe.
NOTE
As long as your betta fish has plenty of items to interact with, they’ll be content in their environment. The more toys you can provide them with, the happier your fish will be.
How to Choose the Best Toy
If your fish ever appears bored, stressed, or lonely, then this is a sign that they might lack stimulation and enrichment. Don’t hesitate to add multiple new toys to your aquarium to find out what your fish likes best.
To give your fish the best environment possible, give them a variety of different toys…
To give your fish the best environment possible, give them a variety of different betta toys. Choose a good betta fish toy with interesting textures or is brightly colored so your betta can see it even if it is dark. These items are likely to interest a bored betta. If you only give them one type of toy, then they could easily grow bored of it.
There are plenty of great betta fish toys for female and male bettas that can be purchased at pet stores or online, however, you don’t have to limit yourself to only those options.
Sometimes, everyday items can serve as an interesting play item for a fish. If it’s something that a child or another pet would find entertaining, it’s likely that your betta fish will enjoy it too.
You can even get creative and make some of your own fish toys to make sure that your betta fish always has something new to interact with.
What to Be Careful of
When it comes to choosing a toy for your betta fish, safety always comes first. Everything that you put in your aquarium should be completely safe for fish.
First, the main thing to be careful of is sharp edges. Even if a toy is made specifically for betta fish, make sure to inspect the quality to make sure that there’s nothing they can hurt themselves on.
TIP
Also, try to avoid metal toys. Most metals will gradually break down in the water, which can produce harmful chemicals and reduce water quality which can put your fish at risk. Also, make sure none of the toys have pieces that your fish could rip off and swallow.
Product Reviews
There are so many great betta fish toys out there for purchase. So, to decide which options are best for your fish, it’s important to pay close attention to the reviews, pros, and cons of each popular product.
This floating betta log decoration serves as a great place for your betta fish to hide, a unique decoration, and possibly even a toy for them to play with.
Zoo Med Floating Betta Log
This floating log decoration serves as a great place for your betta fish to hide, a unique decoration, and possibly even a toy for them to play with. It floats on the surface, making the floating log an ideal place for your betta to hide, sleep, play and even lay eggs on.
However, due to the way it free floats in the betta tank, it can be difficult to keep the Zoo Med floating betta log still and in one particular spot. With some modification, it can be tethered to a certain area with a string. The Zoo Med floating betta log also has a hole in the top that can serve as a feeding hole.
It’s possible for this Zoo Med floating betta log to get dirty easily, but be careful when cleaning it. Some people have claimed that the product began to smell or deteriorate over time, especially when being cleaned.
NOTE
Also, when you receive the Zoo Med floating betta log, inspect it carefully to make sure yours is in good condition before giving it to your fish. It’s rare, but possible that it could be broken or have sharp edges if manufactured incorrectly.
Pros
- It provides a nice space for bettas to hide in or rest.
- Bettas love to swim through it.
- It has a hole in the top for feeding.
Cons
- It can be difficult to keep the floating log in one specific spot.
- It might fall apart over time.
- You need to make sure it doesn’t have sharp edges before placing it in your aquarium.
Zoo Med Floating Betta Exercise Mirror
Since betta fish are often very curious fish about their own appearance, this small mirror could be a great way to keep them entertained.
Best All-Rounder: Zoo Med Floating Betta Exercise Mirror
Since betta fish are often very curious fish about their own appearance, this small mirror could be a great way to keep your betta entertained.
The mirror is suspended on a floating ball, so the mirror rests completely inside the water. This will encourage your betta fish to approach the mirror while swimming. Most betta fish are very easily entertained by this simple product.
NOTE
Even if your betta wants to look in the mirror all the time, it’s important to note that it’s only recommended for 5 min at a time. This is even written in small letters on the mirror itself. If you leave the mirror in for too long, it could stress out your fish.
Pros
- It’s a great way to exercise your fish.
- It floats freely in the water.
- Most betta fish are easily entertained by it.
Cons
- If you’re not paying close attention to your fish while playing with the mirror, they could easily get stressed out.
Aquatic Arts Marimo Moss Balls
Since most betta fish enjoy pushing stuff around the tank, these moss balls are a great toy. They’re a bright green color that is likely to catch your betta’s attention.
Aquatic Arts Marimo Moss Balls
Since most betta fish enjoy pushing stuff around the tank, these Marimo moss balls are a great toy. They’re a bright green color that is likely to catch your betta’s attention.
The moss balls are living aquarium plants, but unlike many other live plants, they’re fairly easy to care for. They’re designed to increase the overall water quality in your tank without any special accommodations. Therefore, you won’t need to change the betta’s water often.
In comparison to other popular marimo balls, this brand is the healthiest choice.
In comparison to other popular marimo balls, this brand is the healthiest choice. When they arrive, they come in a plastic container with clear instructions on how to clean them before placing them in your fish tank.
The only issue is that they aren’t always consistent. Oftentimes, the Marimo moss balls are shipped in different sizes, so you might not receive your ideal size. Also, these betta toys will slowly fall apart over time, but your bettas will likely enjoy them while they last.
Pros
- They add real plants to your aquarium.
- Your betta will have fun by pushing them around.
- They also serve as a beautiful green decoration.
Cons
- They might fall apart over time.
- The sizes are often inconsistent.
Zoo Med Betta Bed Leaf Hammock
This artificial leaf comes with a suction cup to stick to the wall of your aquarium. It provides a comfortable and sturdy space for your betta to lay.
Zoo Med Betta Bed Leaf Hammock
This artificial leaf from Zoo Med Laboratories comes with a suction cup to stick to the wall of your aquarium. Leaf hammocks provide a comfortable and sturdy space for your betta to lay.
Many betta fish enjoy it because they like to lay close to the surface if possible. The large leaf is slightly adjustable if you want to make it more of a hammock shape for your fish.
Many betta fish enjoy it because they like to lay close to the surface if possible…
Keep in mind that some fish are particular about where they rest. If they have no interest in the betta hammock at first, try moving it to a new location to see if it makes a difference.
Also, pay extra close attention to the leaf over time. The bendable part inside the plastic leaf is made of metal, so if it somehow gets exposed, it could harm your fish.
TIP
Make sure your product isn’t broken before putting it in the tank.
Pros
- It provides a comfortable place for your fish to rest.
- It’s adjustable.
- The suction cup sticks easily.
- It looks natural in an aquarium.
Cons
- The metal inside the leaf could rust if exposed.
- Your fish might not be interested if it’s in the wrong spot.
R2 Fish School Complete Training Kit
Fish can actually learn tricks much like other animals can. So, this kit comes with plenty of interactive activities for your betta. It contains a series of balls, hoops, and goals to make sure that your fish never gets bored.
Most Quirky: R2 Fish School Complete Training Kit
Fish can actually learn tricks much like other animals can. So, this kit comes with plenty of interactive activities for your betta. It contains a series of balls, hoops, and goals to make sure that your fish never gets bored.
Fish can actually learn tricks much like other animals can…
It even has a 45 minute video on how to train your fish along with a packet of photos and fish training tips that can make you feel like you’re a world renowned fish trainer.
However, this kit comes with such a wide variety of items that it’s unlikely that you’ll use all of them. Most fish will likely only be interested in a few toys. Plus, if you have a smaller aquarium, the larger items, such as the soccer goal, probably won’t fit. So, this kit is only ideal if you have a large tank and a fish that’s ready to learn lots of new fish tricks.
Pros
- It has a wide variety of interactive activities for your fish.
- It comes with plenty of instructions and tips to help you.
- Many fish have learned quickly with this kit.
Cons
- Some items are too big for small tanks.
- Your fish might only be interested in some of the items.
Zoo Med Sinking Ceramic Betta Log
This ceramic log is designed to rest at the bottom of your aquarium. It can be an exciting object for your betta to swim through, hide in, and sleep in.
Zoo Med Sinking Ceramic Betta Log
This ceramic log is designed to rest at the bottom of your aquarium. It can be an exciting object for your betta to swim through, hide in, and sleep in. Many bettas love it simply as an extra item to explore. Plus, it provides a natural-looking decoration for your aquarium, but the outside is smoother than a typical log.
It can be an exciting object for your betta to swim through, hide in, and sleep in…
The size of the ceramic betta log is fairly small, but it’s the perfect size for a betta. Also, when you receive this hideout, make sure to inspect it to make sure it doesn’t have sharp edges. Some people have needed to sand down the edges on the inside of the log to make it safer for their aquarium.
It’s also important to keep an eye on the color of the log because it’s been reported to peel off when cleaning.
Pros
- It fits even in small aquariums.
- It provides a space for fish to hide and explore.
Cons
- It sometimes has sharp edges.
- It doesn’t look as natural as some of the other artificial logs.
- The color sometimes peels off over time.
These fake jellyfish are able to float freely in the aquarium, making them the perfect object for your betta fish to push around and play with.
Editor’s Choice: Uniclife Glowing Jellyfish
These fake jellyfish are able to float freely in the aquarium, making them the perfect object for your betta fish to push around and play with. Plus, they’re very brightly colored, which will make them extra interesting. You can easily place them in a fixed position with a suction cup and an invisible line.
These fake jellyfish are able to float freely in the aquarium, making them the perfect object for your betta fish to push around and play with…
Each jellyfish is about 2 inches by 5 inches. They come in 6 different colors and you can create a glowing effect by shining a blue or purple light on them. The only issue is that they’re more difficult to set up than they seem.
If you don’t use the string and suction cup as instructed, they can easily float on their side instead of upright. However, if you figure out how to make them float properly, they make a beautiful decoration for the aquarium.
Pros
- They come in 6 beautiful colors.
- They look very cool in an aquarium, especially under a special light.
- Betta fish love to push them around and play with them.
Cons
- They’re difficult to set up.
These leaves are another natural item that you can add to your aquarium. They’re similar to what your betta fish would see in their natural environment, which is why they like to play with them and rest on them.
SunGrow Betta Leaves
These leaves are another natural item that you can add to your aquarium. They’re similar to what your betta fish would see in their natural environment, which is why they like to play with them and rest on them. The leaves can help the betta’s tank become healthier overall, which is essential for your betta’s growth and can help reduce the stress of your betta fish.
The leaves can help the betta’s tank become healthier overall, which is essential for your betta’s growth and can help reduce the stress of your betta fish…
All you have to do is drop the leaves into your fish tank. They will help your betta’s tank feel more natural. However, these leaves aren’t suitable for every fish. On a rare occasion, bettas have been known to get sick after being introduced to these leaves.
Pros
- They’re a natural addition to your aquarium.
- They can make your fish tank healthier.
- They can make your fish less stressed.
- Fish enjoy hiding under them and resting on them.
Cons
- Not every betta fish is guaranteed to benefit from them.
CousDUoBe Artificial Aquatic Plants
Plants are a great toy for betta fish because they love to swim around them and hide in them. These artificial plants are extra brightly colored to make them even more interesting for your fish.
CousDUoBe Artificial Aquatic Plants
Plants are great toys for betta fish because betta’s love to swim around them and hide in them. These artificial plants which serve as hiding places are extra brightly colored to make them even more interesting for your fish.
You can purchase them in different packs depending on how many plants you want in your aquarium. The plants vary in sizes to provide a nice variety for your betta fish tank.
Unlike many other plastic plants, these artificial plants are high quality with no sharp edges…
Unlike many other plastic plants, these artificial plants are high quality with no sharp edges. They should be washed before they’re placed in an aquarium to avoid betta diseases.
And if they ever get dirty, you can simply remove them from the tank and rinse them off again. It’s possible for some of the pieces to arrive broken when shipped, but you can easily request a new set.
Pros
- It has a wide variety of plants.
- They’re brightly colored.
- They’re easy to clean.
- They’re high quality for fake plants.
Cons
- They could be harmful to your fish if broken.
This comes with a square-shaped ring and a circular ring. Both rings have suction cups that can easily be attached to the wall. They can be used as a place to put your fish’s food or for your fish to swim through and play.
Flourithing Feeding Rings
This comes with a square-shaped ring and a circular ring. Both rings have suction cups that can easily be attached to the wall. They can be used as a place to put your fish’s food or for your fish to swim through and play. The rings can also rotate to easily transition from a feeding ring to a hoop.
They can be used as a place to put your fish’s food or for your fish to swim through and play…
The suction cups on these rings are strong and keep the rings in place. If you pour food into the circle or square, it easily floats there, making it like a plate for your betta.
The only issue is that if the hoop is positioned wrong the food could get stuck in the crevices and your fish might not notice that it’s there. Also, some fish just dislike eating out of the rings.
Pros
- It can be used as both a feeding ring and a hoop for play.
- They can easily be adjusted.
- The suction cups are durable.
Cons
- Food can get caught in some of the crevices.
- Some fish aren’t interested in eating out of them.
This mermaid statue is a fun hoop for your betta fish to swim through. It has two durable suction cups on its back so that it can be placed in the perfect spot for your fish.
Zoo Med Mermaid with Hoop
This mermaid statue is a fun hoop for your betta to swim through. It has two durable suction cups on its back so that it can be placed in the perfect spot for your fish. The size of the hoop is the perfect size for a betta to swim through. It also serves as a cute decoration.
NOTE
Before placing this toy in your aquarium, make sure you inspect it closely. Make sure it doesn’t arrive with any broken pieces or sharp edges that could harm your fish. Also, it’s possible that the lipstick on the mermaid will come smeared, but from a distance, it’s not even noticeable.
Pros
- It’s a cute decoration for any aquarium.
- Betta fish will have fun swimming through the hoop.
Cons
- The paint could be smeared.
- It could come with broken pieces.
This product is a great option if you’re looking for more natural plants in your aquarium. You can plant these seeds to make a green, leafy carpet for the bottom of your tank.
SunGrow Betta Glosso Seeds
This product is a great option if you’re looking for more natural plants in your aquarium. You can plant these seeds on the tank’s substrate to make a green, leafy carpet for the bottom of your tank.
It will help their environment to feel more like their natural habitat and it will give them more things to explore. These plants will also help to keep the tank healthy.
These plants will also help to keep the tank healthy…
If you follow the care instructions for these plants closely, they will grow quickly, providing a beautiful look for your aquarium. The only issue that could arise is that some bettas get a little too curious. They might try to eat the seed pods as the plants are growing, which could cause them to become bloated.
So, if your betta fish loves to eat, you’ll want to keep a close eye on them.
Pros
- They add a natural element to your aquarium.
- Bettas enjoy hiding in the plants.
- They grow quickly.
Cons
- Some bettas might try to eat the seed pods.
- If you don’t follow the instructions closely, they might not grow well.
Summary
After considering all the options our top picks were…
Overall, the best betta fish toy is the Zoo Med Floating Betta Mirror because it provides the most engagement for your fish, even if it’s only for a few moments.
If you’re looking for something more intense and long-term though, the R2 Fish School Training Kit is the most quirky choice due to its unique training items and videos.
Finally, the Uniclife Glowing Jellyfish is the editor’s choice because it’s the most unique and most visually appealing betta fish toy of all the choices.
For betta owners, it’s important to remember that your fishy friend can get bored just like any other animal, so make sure they always have a variety of items that can keep them engaged and happy.
