Betta fish fight to establish a territory, including food resources, shelter, and access to females. This is a common cause of aggressive behavior in many different fish species. There is debate over whether this fighting behavior is innate or a consequence of how betta fish are reared.
Are betta fish aggressive towards humans?
Bettas aren’t aggressive towards people. If your pet fish bites your finger, chances are it saw your hand looming into the tank, and it got curious. These fish don’t have hands to touch and figure out the strange thing in their territory.
How can I tell if my betta is aggressive?
Signs Of Aggression in Betta Fish
- Gill Flaring.
- Spreading Their Fins.
- Ramming.
- Injuries.
- Changes in Behaviour.
- Keep Male Betta Fish Separate.
- Avoid Threatening Tank Mates.
- Increase the Size of Your Aquarium.
What fish can live with betta fish?
5 Best Tank Mates for Betta Fish
- Kuhli Loaches. These eel-like oddball fish grow to about 3.5 inches long and are great scavengers for picking up any excess food your betta drops.
- Ember Tetras.
- Malaysian Trumpet Snails.
- Harlequin Rasboras.
- Cory Catfish.
Why are betta fish so aggressive? – Related Questions
Can 1 male and 2 female betta fish live together?
Though they are peaceful by nature, male and female bettas cannot cohabitate due to the males’ aggression towards the females. However, sometimes short-term arrangements must be made, such as when cleaning the other’s tank. In these cases, it is best to only do so for a few hours and to monitor signs of aggressiveness.
How many years does a betta fish live?
2 – 5 years
Siamese fighting fish / Lifespan (In captivity)
How often do you feed a betta fish?
It is recommended to feed your betta fish two to four pellets, once or twice per day. Pellets expand when placed in water and are very filling for your betta fish. Freeze-dried or fresh food can be substituted for their pellet feeding 1 to 2 days per week.
How often should you change betta fish water?
But the short version is that small water changes of 10-20% once every 7-10 days are best for your betta’s health. This is also assuming you are running a filter. You can also do water changes of 20-30% once every 2-3 weeks, but smaller water changes are better for stable water conditions!
How old are betta fish in pet stores?
Because a Betta purchased at a pet shop is often one year old already. Males, in particular, are allowed to fully mature, so their fins and colors are well developed. Females may be sold at a bit younger age, but they will generally be at least six months old when offered for sale.
Can a betta live for 7 years?
With the right genetics, environment, and care from the onset of a betta’s life, they can live up to 6 or 7 years or more. Several owners have even reported lifespans of 9 and 10 years, but that’s not realistic for every betta.
How old is the oldest betta fish?
The World’s oldest betta fish is 10 years old.
Can bettas live for 5 years?
Two to three years is the average lifespan of a domesticated betta fish. However, up to 6 years is very achievable and 10 has been done! You just need to make sure you can give your betta fish the best environment possible.
Will betta get lonely?
Do They Get Lonely? Betta fish are naturally territorial and should not be housed with any other betta fish because they will fight and injure each other, often resulting in death. They are unlikely to get lonely in their tank; however, if they are in a small tank, they may get bored.
How do I play with my betta fish?
Moving your finger slowly across the outside of the aquarium or along the water surface, and drop a live blackworm, bloodworm, or food pellet in when your betta comes up to it. Once he’s mastered coming to your hand for food, use verbal commands to impress your friends!
Can you touch betta fish?
Betta fish should rarely, if ever, be petted. It’s not good to pet them, as it may remove their natural slime coating, making them prone to certain diseases. Also, never touch them with dirty hands, as bacteria can easily be transmitted through direct contact.
Do bettas recognize their owners?
Yes, bettas are able to tell the difference between different people. Not only that, betta fish will always recognize the person who feeds them, making this one of the easiest ways to bond with your betta. Due to this, betta fish may hide when they are not comfortable or don’t recognize a person or voice.
Should I talk to my betta fish?
Name your betta and talk to it.
Bettas are sensitive to the vibrations in water caused by sounds such as human voices, which some take as meaning your fish can learn to recognize your voice and its name.
How big can a betta fish get?
Betta fish grow to be no longer than 3 inches, typically. Their usual lifespan is 2-5 years. They have brilliantly colored fins, and various tail types. Common colors include red, blue, black, white and orange.
How long can bettas survive without food?
Betta fish can survive up to 10 days without food, however, this is not recommended! It is possible they may even survive a few more days than this, however, this is merely surviving and you are actually slowly starving your betta fish which can cause them to die easily.