lol the indignation of this commentator … it sounds to me like you are treating your fish very well, what with your concern for its mental well-being and all. I’ve always found that fish are the hardest pets to keep alive. NOT for lack of care about their living sentient beingness, but because they are freaking fish in a freaking bowl of water, which honestly… how is that fun at all? for the fish OR for the human? although betas aren’t supposed to need that aerating water pump thingy, I seem to recall from my brief time as a beta fish owner almost a decade ago that it helped when I got one. I also put his bowl near some of my plants and he seemed to like that. they were all temporary fixes, of course, because in the end it got some kind of gross flesh-eating fish disease and it was horrible because of course my kids LOVED that fish… anyway, it died after a few months and then we got a puppy, who I still have (she will be 11 this year!!). in conclusion, dogs are way better pets than fish — although the time/energy commitment is considerable, it is so, so worth it if you have the time/resources to commit for 10–15 years of love ;)