Betta fish, also known as Siamese Fighting Fish, are so-called because of their male-on-male aggression. Although individual behavior varies, most male betta fish in the pet fish trade should be kept in separate aquariums and should not be able to see other males. Betta fish fighting can be fatal, so owners must take effective measures to keep their male betta fish from fighting.
What Is Betta Fish Fighting?
Flaring is the most common fighting behavior in betta fish. A male betta fish will push both opercula (gill covers) forward in this demonstration to suggest a larger body size. Under duress, this is analogous to a pufferfish expanding and flaring its spines.
Physical interaction between the two fish is involved in other behaviors. Physical interactions can include one fish ramming or swimming directly into another, as well as biting or nipping at the fins. Two males can also wrestle by locking their lips together.
What Causes Betta Fish Fights?
Betta fish compete to establish a territory that includes food, shelter, and access to females. Many different fish species exhibit aggressive behavior as a result of this.
There is some debate about whether this fighting behavior is innate or a result of how betta fish are raised. Bettas raised in a group have been shown in studies to have less aggressive tendencies. It is difficult to know how your betta fish were raised and how aggressive they may be with some suppliers, and it may take a few weeks for you to be able to tell their level of aggression. Most male bettas, on the other hand, are aggressive and cannot be handled.
Betta fish have a long history of being kept as competitive fighters in their native Thailand. Observations of competitive fights have revealed that fish raised in isolation, without other betta fish, are more aggressive and fight for longer periods of time. Keeping fish for this purpose, like dogfighting, is a major concern for animal welfare.
Female bettas are not usually aggressive to each other. Female bettas are commonly kept in a small group known as a "harem," and individual fish in a group may be more or less aggressive than others, resulting in an established hierarchy. The addition of new females to the harem, once established, may result in increased fighting as a new hierarchy is established. Female bettas are commonly kept in aquariums with other fish of comparable size.
Male bettas cannot be kept in the same aquarium as other bettas, but a single male betta can be kept in the same aquarium as other non-aggressive fish species. Female bettas can be housed alongside other fish species. Some betta fish may be aggressive to other species of fish kept in the same tank if they have flowing fins like another betta. It is critical to stock your aquarium with fish that are not aggressive and are good community members. If your betta can be kept with other species, it will be determined by their individual personality. Some bettas are far too aggressive to be housed with other fish. Betta fish should be added to the aquarium last to avoid any potentially aggressive interactions.
Betta Fish Fighting Signs
Gill flaring, ramming, and fin nipping are the most common signs of fighting. If your fish are not actively fighting, you may notice other signs such as missing scales, torn fins, or increased hiding. Severe symptoms include lethargy, a loss of appetite, prolonged hiding times, and sudden death. If you are attempting to keep bettas together and notice signs of fighting, the fish must be separated.
Because of their long flowing fins, betta fish are prone to "fin rot" or fraying fins. This is frequently a general sign of illness and a malfunctioning immune system. Overdecorating with numerous items that can tear betta fins is another common cause of fin damage.
How to Avoid Fights
The best way to prevent your fish from fighting is to keep only one male fish in each tank. If you keep bettas in separate tanks, make sure there is a visual barrier between them so the fish can't see each other at any time. Visual barriers can be as simple as aquarium backgrounds or a piece of cardboard.
Mirrored visual toys or mirrors placed near the aquarium should also be removed. Bettas are known to react aggressively to their own reflections. Although these items are considered "enrichment," they have known stressors in bettas and should not be added to betta tanks. Betta fish can injure themselves when they attack toys or their reflections in a mirror.
Marijuana3 and Prozac4 have been tried as treatments to reduce aggressive betta fish behavior. Bettas responded to both treatments by exhibiting less aggressive behavior, but they became tolerant of the marijuana dose. Before beginning any treatments for your pet fish, always consult your veterinarian.
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