The Siamese fighting fish is another name for the Betta fish (Betta splendens). These fish have aggressive personalities and an extensive native range. Betta fish explicitly breed for fighting. Betta fish are very possessive and territorial. Betta fish are fascinating creatures with different personalities.
Male Bettas, in particular, are notoriously aggressive toward most other fish when kept in community aquariums. They intimidate other fish and gnaw the antennae of snails and shrimp. In my opinion, these fish seem to be particularly repulsed by other male fish in general.
Despite the perception that women are less hostile than men. These fish are also less common due to their lack of vivid coloration and longer fins than males. The female Bettas lack appeal due to their uninteresting appearance. It is convenient to keep female Bettas in a tank with other fish species or other female Bettas.
Bettas cling to the sides, middle, and top of the tank. If you want to add more fish to your tank, look for ones that like to hang out near the bottom.
Adult Size & Lifespan
Without counting the length of their lovely, flowing fins, bettas can reach lengths of up to two to three inches. Male Bettas have significantly more elaborate fins than female Bettas. This is because selective breeding has produced bettas with different fin shapes.
Bettas in the wild typically have smaller fins and are drab (dull), camouflage-colored shades of gray, brown, or green. However, captive Bettas come in a wide range of hues, including turquoise, orange, red, green, blue, gold, purple, yellow, and copper, or mixtures of those hues.
Betta fish can breathe air and absorb oxygen through their gills, making them suitable for low-activity aquariums. These fish have a three- to five-year lifespan with proper care.
Betta Fish Aggressive Behavior
Betta fish are very possessive creatures. These fish will attack any intruders to defend their territory.
The betta fish evolved into the hostile fish you keep as pets today through years of selective breeding and domestication. While attempting to defend their food, these fish can attack other fish. During the mating season, betta fish will also exhibit aggressive behavior.
Are Betta Fish Aggressive Toward Other Fish?
Betta fish are aggressive toward other fish. These fish could clash with and even kill other fish in their tanks. Typically, these fish are not the best option for community tanks. It is almost certain that male bettas will act aggressively if there is not enough space for them to have their territorial area or even enough plants to serve as hiding places.
Betta fish typically have few food resources in their natural environment. To survive, you need to eat a lot of protein. Betta fish will risk their lives to defend their right to access these resources.
Betta fish fight to impress females and increase their chances of having offspring. To attract females and protect any eggs laid, males construct bubble nests on the water’s surface. To make these nests look impressive to potential mates, male Betta fish are likely to fight off any fish that they see as a threat to them.
Male Bettas pursue their opponents while flaring their fins and gills in an aggressive display to other male competitors.
Male Betta fish are attracted to females by their lively appearance. Betta fish will fight other males or other colorful fish to demonstrate their strength and status as the dominant male.
Do Male And Female Betta Fish Fight?
Yes, male Bettas often clash with their mates for territorial reasons. While the male lays the eggs across the bubble nest. These fish will go to any length to protect their child, which even includes hurting their mother.
As a result, male and female Betta fish should not be together in the same tank but rather in different tanks. Betta fish cannot live together.
- When two bettas are in the small tank, bettas will fight each other regardless of their gender. However, providing enough space can minimize attacks on others.
- If bettas are in a big enough tank, male betta fish and female betta fish can live peaceful lives without seeing each other.
- Although male bettas’ aggression will be replaced by their desire to mate during the breeding season.
Do Female Betta Fight Each Other?
Yes, female Betta fish do fight each other. Female Betta fish can also become physically aggressive toward one another in a group setting. The lack of a clear hierarchy within the sorority is the primary cause of the fight. It is perfectly normal for the females to get into minor altercations and fights to establish order, but the females do not harm one another.
In most cases, the female betta coexists with the chosen female alpha. Generally, female Betta fish tend to be less aggressive than their male companions.
However, there are some suggestions to put a male among the female Betta fish. This is not applicable, as male species will harm the females. The male Betta would either impress the female or scare her away. Most of the time, the male Betta will only harm the female Betta.
Signs Of Aggression
It is important to watch out for signs of hostility in bettas placed in an aquarium. Even though it is simple to spot a fight, it is important to pay attention to some unassuming signs.
Gill Flaring
When a betta tries to appear bigger and more intimidating, that is the very first sign your betta fish can exhibit. The telltale sign of a betta fish is the gill flare, which is typically used to intimidate other fish.
Spreading Their Fins
Bettas will spread out their fins and flare their gills to appear bigger and more powerful than a potential foe. Instead of engaging in physical combat, these aggressive fish hope to intimidate their rivals and win the power struggle.
Ramming
Things will turn physical and violent if their intimidation and posturing don’t win the debate. Bettas frequently push each other and violently ram their bodies into one another to hurt each other.
Chasing
Due to their aggressive nature, betta fish will fight until one of them dies. Just because the other fish turned around and swam away won’t compel them to descend once more. Betta fish take over the job by stalking other fish throughout the tank.
Fin Nipping
Nipping is one of the dangerous tactics used against opponents. Betta fish will nip at their opponents’ fins to sever them and inflict damage. If the bites are too severe, the fish may rot its fins and die.
Injuries
You may notice the numerous significant and insignificant wounds that the Betta fish sustained before you even see the battles. If you notice missing fin sections, lost scales, tears, or red marks on your Betta fish, they may be fighting behind your back.
Change In Behavior
A second indication that bettas are beginning to act aggressively toward one another is abrupt behavioral changes. One can appear introverted and shy, while the other might appear more intense and domineering.
What Triggers Betta Fish Aggression
However, it’s not clear whether aggression in Betta fish is a genetic trait or a product of its surroundings. The fish are raised in situations where they tend to be more aggressive. Betta fish are compelled to engage in prolonged competitive combat. Their aggression is a great trigger when defending territories against other Betta species. Stress from an unsuitable environment could also cause Betta fish to react aggressively.
As you know, male Betta fish tend to fight each other to establish their position. But certain factors can affect how they behave:
Competition For Female
When a female is alongside the males, betta fish will show high aggression. The motive for this is breeding. The obvious cause of the increased aggression is that both males want to mate with the females. These conflicts routinely take place in the environment.
According to a small-scale study, in contrast to food or territory, males are almost five times more aggressive.
Offspring Protection
Every parent is protective of their offspring. The same goes for Betta fish, too. Male Betta fish are extremely protective of their offspring and will not accept any other fish, even if they pass close to their nest.
In the early years, children are entirely dependent on their fathers. As a result, the male stops eating and stays inside the nest for days. If the female is not removed from the tank, the male will frighten her away and end their lives.
Food
Bettas can face hard times getting food. Males will compete for food if a food supply is present and another betta is also present. Even though when a species is kept in captivity, there is always enough food. This is frequently disregarded. By consistently providing different dining options, you can keep a sorority of Betta women together and prevent conflicts.
Can Betta Fish Live With Other Fish?
The personality of your Betta fish will determine whether it can coexist with other fish. Betta fish are not friendly to their tankmates. Betta fish are not the ideal option for communal tanks. You must be extremely careful when deciding how many to keep in a single tank.
However, when creating a community tank, the main rule is to stop placing male Betta species in it. There shouldn’t be any betta fish in the same tank. Betta fish work best when left alone.
Certain fish species have the potential to harm your betta, which is upsetting for everyone. Because Betta fish regard each other as invaders, a male and female will fight. The male, in particular, will tolerate the female in his territory.
Female Betta fish get along with other fish. These fish mostly accept smaller fish that can escape their attack. Larger fish that are completely peaceful and bottom feeders are also welcomed.
To keep a male Betta with tankmates, the tank should hold at least 15 gallons of water.
In this tank, there should be at least some living plants and cover. This will help the fish hide in case there are any difficulties.
Tankmates
Some recommended compatible fish for your Betta fish include:
- Guppies
- Mollies
- Corydoras catfish
- Rainbowfish
- Tetras including Harlequin, Neon, Diamond Tetra, and Cardinal tetra
- Snails
- Dwarf Gouramis
- Bristlenose Plecos
Will A Betta Stop Being Aggressive?
While some Betta fish are more naturally aggressive than others, some Bettas exhibit aggression all the time. If you are aware of the precise cause of the triggers that make people act violently, you can avoid them. This will bring them back to their original peaceful environment.
Betta fish can act aggressively when you introduce them to a new tank. According to the report, Betta fish perceive their reflection as an intrusion and attack through the glass pane. These fish should become calmer after a few weeks if the tank is secure and fulfills their needs.
However, the fish can still act aggressively. Because of this, Bettas rarely stop becoming less aggressive on their own.
How To Make Betta Fish Less Aggressive?
You can take some steps to make your fish feel more relaxed, less stressed, and less aggressive in their tank. The first step is to determine what triggers aggressive behavior.
Keep Male Betta Fish Separate
It is highly recommended to keep only betta fish in a tank. Betta fish become even more aggressive when viewed through a glass pane. Many aquarists even separate males and females. The only expectation that exists is during the breeding season.
Avoid Threatening Tank Mates
You must avoid brightly colored fish with flowing fins, as betta fish see them as a threat. You should avoid any fish species that exhibit aggressive behavior.
Expanding The Aquarium Size
To establish own territory, having more space to move around can have a huge impact on bettas. Having more space can create peace among other tankmates.
Provide A Hiding Space
You can make extensive use of vegetation and scenery to reduce stress. This diverts their attention from one another. Giving your bettas an extra place to hide can also make them feel safe in their aquarium.
Ensure Stability
If you want to prevent stress and aggression in betta fish, the fish must be in a stable habitat. Their water should be at a safe pH level and temperature. It’s important to carefully monitor the water’s ammonia and nitrate levels.
Conclusion
Owning a betta may be fun because these fish are attractive. Knowing their special requirements and behaviors, you can give them the best home possible. Betta fish are territorial and show an aggressive nature. Giving them enough space can help ease their aggression.
Aquarists must be aware of its aggression and prevent it.
FAQ
Which betta fish is most aggressive?
Among all the 73 varieties of Betta fish, Plakat Bettas are the most aggressive betta fish. These fish start to leap from their tanks.
Are there any peaceful betta fish in the wild?
Yes, Betta imbellis is the peaceful betta. The fish calmly interact with each other. Betta imbelis, on the other hand, is an aggressive Betta species. These fish show aggressive behavior toward females. Betta fish frequently coexist while having occasional disagreements.
Do betta splendens show the same aggressive nature as wild betta?
Betta splendens is more aggressive than wild bettas. These fish also have different reactions when it comes to the production of stress hormones in new situations.