Betta fish have a reputation for being aggressive and possessive of their territory. They are freshwater fish unique to Thailand, Laos, Cambodia’s rice terraces, and still waters. Bettas are violent toward other males in the wild to protect their territory and entice females.
Bettas’ innate tendency toward aggression is visible in aquariums where you house bettas alongside other fish. Because they fiercely protect their territory, bettas are quick to attack other fish. Although males are more often seen acting in this way, female fish are also capable of acting aggressively toward other fish.
However, they can also be aggressive toward other species of fish. Bettas are well recognized for being aggressive toward other fish of the same or similar species. Bettas will fight other fish to establish supremacy because they are fiercely protective of their area.
There are several ways to prevent fighting among Bettas in an aquarium. It can be providing enough space for each fish, keeping only one male Betta in the tank, or keeping Bettas with non-aggressive tank mates.
The following article will cover the causes of Bettas’ aggression toward other fish as well as strategies for preventing fights amongst Bettas in an aquarium.
What Causes Betta Fish To Fight?
Siamese fighting fish, sometimes referred to as betta fish, are naturally aggressive. The fact that males in the wild have developed intense territoriality is a crucial factor in the on-site fighting between them. The fish in their native habitat frequently have little food supplies to compete for. Thus, they are fiercely protective of the food supply in their region.
As male Betta fish defend their bubble nests as well as the eggs inside of them, their fighting instincts will also come into play. By creating a nest, men are hoping to entice females, but competition from other guys in the area could make it difficult for them to reproduce effectively.
Intimidation is another explanation for “why do Betta fish fight?” They are susceptible to being frightened by movements, especially those made by fish with long fins and huge tails. The fact that brighter hues can also cause this reaction is still noteworthy but of less consequence.
Male Betta fish battling may also be influenced by stress. Your Fish may become stressed if the water conditions change. The alteration of an established area due to changed aquarium decorations would be another stressor.
The male’s flared gills and fins may really be engaged in wooing when a female is around. In a communal tank, females may become combative with one another before a social order is formed. The female Betta fish, particularly the Betta Imbellis, as opposed to their male counterparts, are often tranquil once the order in the sorority is known.
Does Betta Fight With Other Species?
Once more, the quick response is yes. The likelihood of the other fish being attacked by your Betta fish increases if they exhibit male Betta features.
As a result, be picky when choosing tank mates for your male betta Fish, such as goldfish. Steer clear of creatures with lengthy fins and elongated tails. Your Betta could get along well with fish that do not have these qualities, and they will help foster harmony in the community tank.
An aquarium with a variety of fish can always be kept with a Betta fish if the right safety measures are implemented. Here are some things to consider if you plan to set up a fish tank with a variety of fish:
- Choose a betta that has experience living in an aquarium with other fish so that you may be sure he is accustomed to doing so.
- You will require a tank with a minimum capacity of 10 gallons. Each fish needs enough room to grow, and this area must be provided.
- Limit the amount of fish you introduce to the same aquarium. Each fish will have fewer places to hide as a result, which may cause territorial disputes.
- Create hiding spots for each of your fish by adding enough plants and rocks.
The Fighting Style Of Betta Fish
Two male betta fish will often start a battle by displaying their gills and fins to appear more frightening. Sometimes this is sufficient, and the fish will separate from one another.
The Betta fish battle will turn into nipping if the show breaks down, which frequently happens in smaller tanks. The males in your group will circle one another and nibble at each other’s fins and tails. As long as there is space, this will go on until one man withdraws.
A Betta fish battle could last only a split second or several minutes. Even while some store-bought fish are less violent now due to years of inbreeding, they nevertheless frequently irritate one another. In any situation, Betta, which has been bred exclusively for Fish fighting, will act aggressively to a great degree.
Verify That They Are Not Love Bites!
Make sure you are not just seeing mating behavior before you get alarmed about fish bullying. Since many animals exhibit aggressive behaviors and appearances during the breeding season, it can be simple to mistake this for bullying. For instance, cichlids may lock jaws and pursue each other; at times, it may appear as though they are going to rip each other apart!
For instance, cichlids may lock jaws with one another and pursue one another, sometimes appearing as though they are trying to rip one another apart! Similar to live-bearers, the males will harass the females relentlessly, even to the point of exhaustion. If the females appear to be under excessive stress, they must be moved to another tank.
How Do I Prevent My Bettas from Fighting?
Following are the precautions that you can take to prevent your betta fishes from fighting their own kind or other species:
Determine Your Gender
Bettas still nip, pick, and bite other fish until they are exhausted or even die. Males are significantly more violent than females, frequently engaging in combat to claim territory and choose an ideal place for mating. The female betta tends to get along with the other bettas because she is smaller and more submissive.
It is never a good idea to have two male betta fish together in a small tank, but if the aquarium is sufficiently big enough and there are many hiding spots, a female and a male may get along. While female bettas frequently coexist without incident, keeping a close eye on them in the early days is important. If you maintain a female as well as a male alongside, be certain to separate them after mating because, if you don’t, he might kill her to defend the eggs.
Attempt Various Fish
Put one betta in the communal tank alongside the other fish if your bettas are not getting along with one another and you have one. As long as none of the other fish are fin-nippers, bettas often get along well with other non-aggressive fish. Put the betta inside a little breeder box that you have placed inside the big tank.
After giving him an hour to adjust to the new tank, release him. While they create order, some other fish may occasionally pursue and pick at him, but this behavior will subside within a day or two. If the betta seems injured or becomes extremely hostile toward the other fish, remove him.
Partition The Tank
If your tank needs to accommodate several aggressive bettas, use a plastic divider within. The walls and bottom of the tank are lined with these thin plastic sheets, which fit securely. They let water through while keeping the fish from biting one another. The separator should be slid into the tank and pressed firmly onto the gravel. Across each end of the partition, place a plant and other decorations in addition to a fish. The fishes will flare and show off to one another through the partition, but on their separate sides of the tank, they will be protected.
Separate Tanks
The only workable solution for exceptionally aggressive bettas is separate tanks. For each fish, prepare a separate tank with a minimum capacity of one gallon and fill it with gravel and plants to provide cover for the fish. Small tanks do not require filters because the gravel in them provides sufficient filtering. To maintain a temperature range of 72 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit in larger tanks, add a tiny, gentle filter and heater. To avoid shocking the fish, progressively introduce them to their new tanks.
Select the Ideal Ratio of Males to Females
The ratio of males to females in your Betta fish aquarium plays a significant role in whether or not they will fight. If a big tank has adequate hiding spots for both females, they may cohabit peacefully. They still require close monitoring, so do so. It depends on each person’s personality whether or not they can control themselves from fighting, even some women.
If the problem persists, you might need to add a partition. Swimming in open water with another guy is not permitted. You will need a divider, and you might want to arrange the plants so they can not readily see each other. When kept together, males and females frequently mate.
Take Quick Action to Put an End to Fighting
If there is any fighting within the tank, you must act quickly to put an end to it. If they don’t, they will probably hurt each other badly and perhaps even kill each other. The fish could be completely separated as one possibility. Alternatively, you might separate the tank with walls to make sure that each section is captivating enough to keep your fish’s interest.
This often comprises a plastic sheet or netting with holes sized to fit your aquarium cut out of it. The fish are firmly restrained to one side, but water must still be allowed to pass through. You must try to hide their view with vegetation and other impediments since aggressive behavior will still occur if they can still see each other.
How to Construct a Betta Fish Aquarium
It goes without saying that creating a successful aquarium habitat for your fish will be a difficult, time-consuming procedure with more complexity than necessary. In essence, you should be making an effort to as closely resemble their native surroundings as you can. While one Betta fish can survive in a 5-gallon aquarium, more room is always preferable.
A lot of planning is always necessary. The water must cycle for a number of weeks prior to adding any fish. A testing kit that notifies you when the tank has finished cycling is available for purchase. When the fish are added, the beneficial bacteria that have been growing throughout this time will begin to break down the poisonous ammonia.
The bacteria convert fish waste into nitrates, which will be eliminated when the tank’s water is changed. Approximately 10% has to be regularly removed and replaced. Avoid using any strong chemicals or soaps that could harm fish.
Before adding any tap water to an aquarium, you need to ensure that it is properly treated with a water conditioner. The tank needs to have a properly working filter, decorations, and an aquarium substrate. The water temperature should be maintained between 76- and 82 degrees Fahrenheit. Many fish require colder water and therefore should be kept in a separate space.
Choose a space in your home where you are able to adequately control the light and temperature. Bear in mind that Betta fish get their oxygen from the surface of the water, so be wary about positioning any plant life here as it could take it away. For more information, you are best to consult with a tropical fish expert.
Do Betta Females Fight?
While female Betta fish exhibit behavior that is comparable to that of their male counterparts, they also experience additional influences. In actuality, you can expect them to be as territorial or violent as their male counterparts. Fights, however, can also occur between female Bettas.
It is feasible to have more than just one female fish in the same aquarium, but you must take certain precautions and be conscious of some important psychological and physical elements. Having a community tank requires the following:
- A fish tank with a minimum 15-gallon water capacity. The health and longevity of the pieces depend on allowing each ample component room to establish its own area.
- To keep the aquarium’s equilibrium, you will need at least three to five female fighting fish. In fact, if you have only a pair of battling fish, it is possible that the dominant or tougher fish would intimidate the weaker fish.
- Give your fish adequate room to hide. Giving your fish a place to hide out by adding rocks and vegetation might be a terrific option. The best option is to use real or artificial flora. You may also add caves and slabs of driftwood. Each fish will then have a zone it may claim in the tank as its own as a result.
- Remember that the early time of adaptation is crucial. It is not unusual for female fish to start nibbling at each other’s scales when many are introduced to a tank. When they become accustomed to one another and realize which region is theirs and which belongs to the other, this behavior ought to stop after a few days.
Best Betta Fish Tank Companions
It is important to choose tank mates who have worked well for previous hobbyists if you want to keep betta fish with the least chance of fighting.
Snails
Any fish tank would benefit from having snails. They maintain the tank’s glass and substrate and add some extra excitement. They also have gorgeous shells. There is minimal to no possibility of your betta fish attacking your snail, albeit it might not be as entertaining as a swarm of tropical tetras. There are reports of snails turning into speedy betta lunches, though, if you have a fish that is particularly ravenous or aggressive.
Catfish Cory
Cory catfish come in a variety of varieties, but all of them are peaceful bottom dwellers that search for food. They make excellent fish for novices because they are hardy and incredibly simple to care for. Since they are in school, I advise obtaining three or more of them.
Kuhli Loach
These eel-like fish are native to Southeast Asia; they have tiny fins and are quick swimmers, but they prefer to spend much of their time at the bottom of the aquarium, frequently concealed under rocks or plants since they are shy. They thrive in groups of at least two or three other fish of the same species; otherwise, they will hide from other fish.
Neon Tetras
These vibrant swimming fish are a lot of pleasure to keep as pets if you are ready to invest in at a minimum a 20-gallon tank. The family of neon tetras is known as Characidae. They are not intimidating to the betta because, despite their color, they do not have showy fins or tails. The minimum number you should expect to receive is six, but the ideal quantity is 12. These calm fish are simple to take care of and like to hang around in the center of the tank.
Dwarf African Frog
The African dwarf is a different animal you might think about for a tank that is ten gallons or bigger and gets along well with betta fish. Watch out for your betta picking on the frogs floating on the water’s surface.
Rasbora Harlequin
These tiny fish are some of the most colorful you can get, yet a black blotch on their sides distorts their appearance. Maintain a shoal of at least six of them.
Pleco bristlenose
Since the majority of plecos reach sizes that are way too enormous for the ordinary home aquarium, I typically do not advocate them in my articles. However, the bristlenose can be a valuable algae eater in a betta aquarium despite only growing to a length of about five inches.
Making Betta Fish Fight
Two or more males are frequently kept in the same tank with transparent partitions that permit them to just see one another by keepers who wish to create a fight club environment while protecting their fish. You can get the same result by having various aquariums close to one another.
Betta fish are very smart. Your ability to condition and educate the fighting tendencies of Betta fish is made possible by this intelligence.
As previously mentioned, housing the fish near one another is one method. Another option is to use a mirror, which enables the fish to observe its own movement in the aquarium. The Betta fish can use its instincts for a show while remaining attentive thanks to these behaviors.
Prior to teaching your fighting fish to fight, make sure the water is stable and healthy. This comprises a water column with good filtering, as well as the right ph and temperature values.
Your Betta’s vigilance will rise, and more aggressive displays will be encouraged if hiding places are restricted, and the tank is kept more open. Smaller fish tanks provide them more room to expand their territory and will also make them more active.
Competing fish of comparable ages and sizes can likewise produce reasonable fight club circumstances. Betta fish that are smaller than their larger counterparts will more easily flee. Just keep in mind that they are inherently aggressive and perform much better when they are in good physical condition while you teach your Betta fish to fight.
FAQ
Are Betta Fish Hostile To Other Fish?
Males of this fish engage in fierce competition, frequently to the death. Even though women tend to be more social than men, they can be violent. Bettas attack other colorful or showy fish in community aquariums, but they get along well with species that are more subdued and subdued in color.
How Can I Make My Betta Fish Friendlier?
According to some, your fish may be capable of recognizing your speech and its name since bettas are sensitive to the oscillations in the water created by noises like human speech. Each time you visit, try speaking your betta’s name to see if you can get a predictable response.
What Does A Betta Fish Typically Do?
A content betta will regularly swim around its aquarium. They can move almost sluggishly at times and suddenly dart from left to right at other times. Your betta is strong and content if it looks to have no difficulty swimming and is not leaning to one side or struggling.
How Painful Is A Betta Fish Bite?
The human skin seems to be too thick for its teeth to handle, and they are too small to use enough pressure to pierce it. The typical reaction to a betta fish bite is not pain but rather a slight tingling or prickling feeling.
Conclusion
The Siamese fighting fish is a result of decades of selective breeding to exhibit the most stunning colors and aggressive traits. A few signs indicate when your betta fish is likely to fight. But as a good fish owner, you should never allow it to get to that stage.
You can minimize fighting by providing lots of room and cover and carefully choosing your tank companions. These are intelligent fish, so it stands to reason that conditioning and training could increase aggression.
Your betta may be experiencing stress if you see that its gills and fins are flaring for no apparent reason. Changes in the tank’s surroundings may bring on this stress, the water’s characteristics, or the bettas’ tank mates.