Male Betta Fish Male betta fish are typically more ornate and decorated when compared to their female counterparts. For example, consider the pair below:
The male betta fish is seen on the left, with much larger fins and more elaborate colors. The female betta fish is on the right, with more dull colors. He is typically larger than his female counterpart.
Keep Male Betta Fish Separate!
Unlike female betta fish, male betta fish CANNOT live together comfortably in the same tank. If they live together, male betta fish will become aggressive and fight. This is how they earned their nickname, "fighting fish." The males will fight to the death if given the chance, so they should never be placed together in a tank.
Bubble Nests
When a male betta fish is ready to breed, he will create a bubble nest. These bubble nests will float on the very top of the tank, and appear like a cluster of small bubbles. Once made, male betta fish will often stay under the nest as they wait for a female to mate with. After eggs are laid, male betta fish will place the eggs into the bubble nest using their mouths. The bubble nest allows for a clean, moist, and oxygen rich environment for the baby betta fish. The male betta fish will stay under the nest and protect the eggs from any potential predators. If any eggs fall out, he will place them back in.
Hatching Baby Bettas
Male betta fish will place the eggs into a bubble nest, which he will create. The baby betta fish will hatch in about three days. As they hatch, male betta fish will watch and remain under the bubble nest, catching any eggs that fall out. Once hatched, the babies are called "fry" and are very tiny. Neither parent will care for the babies - they will find their own food as they grow.
FAQs
When in doubt, start with a tiny quantity and observe how fast your fish consume it. If it is completely consumed in less than 2 minutes, give them a little more. It won't take long to figure out how much food to give them at each feeding. Remove any food that remains after five minutes with a siphon hose or net.
How do I know if I'm feeding my betta fish enough? ›
I feed my betta until I can see a little bulge in his belly. Then I know he has eaten enough and his stomach is full. Make sure to keep up with water changes and remember that a hungry fish is a happy fish.
What makes male betta fish happy? ›
Your betta will be happiest and healthiest in an aquarium with a filter and heater. If you want to teach your betta tricks, you will want them at their most active, which means keep the aquarium water clean and between 76° and 84° F, as they are native to tropical environments.
How do you know if a fish is struggling? ›
If your fish is swimming frantically without going anywhere, crashing at the bottom of his tank, rubbing himself on gravel or rocks, or locking his fins at his side, he may be experiencing significant stress. Talk to your veterinarian about treatment and look into what may be causing the stress and alleviating it.
Should I feed my fish if they look hungry? ›
They're swimming around and searching for food to fuel their increased activity levels. Begin feeding your fish up to 3 times per week, and only what can be consumed in a 5 minute period. They will need a wheat germ food that's easy to digest, like The Pond Guy Spring & Fall Fish Food.
Is it better to overfeed or Underfeed betta? ›
Overeating can lead to bloating, digestive distress, and obesity. Too much uneaten food can also result in your fish's water becoming dirty and unhealthy. To prevent your betta fish from overeating, only feed your betta fish the recommended daily amount. Clean out excess food regularly with a net or a turkey baster.
How do I know if my betta fish is getting enough oxygen? ›
Fish such as Bettas, Gouramis, and bottom-feeder Catfish will regularly swim to the surface and gulp air using their labyrinth organ. This doesn't take too long, so if they are spending most of their time at the surface, it is likely your fish tank has low O2 levels.
Will betta fish stop eating when they are full? ›
Overfeeding. Some bettas have eyes bigger than their stomachs and will happily consume all morsels in their tank, so it's important to monitor how much you're feeding your beta fish. If their metabolism cannot keep up, food starts to get backed up and can cause serious GI distress.
What do betta fish love the most? ›
Betta fish do not like fast currents. They prefer relatively still water. Many fish keepers prefer sponge filters because the flow that comes from those kinds of filters is very minimal. They're often very affordable, so you can't go wrong with this option.
What do male betta fish need? ›
There are many factors that go into keeping your betta fish happy. Be sure and have a filter, heater, aquarium decorations for plenty of places to hide, water between 74 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit, quality fish food, and sufficient lighting.
However, some other items that would be safe to use (if cleaned properly) include glass marbles, plastic straws, rocks, plastic cross-stitching material, and other items made of things like glass or plastic. Just make sure there are no sharp edges or broken bits for your betta's long, flowing fins to get caught on!
Do betta fish get excited to see you? ›
In conclusion, betta fish can get excited to see their owners and display a range of behaviors, including flaring their fins and gills. However, not all bettas will behave in this way, and it may take some time for them to get used to their owner's presence.
How to cheer up betta fish? ›
Use interactive toys: Betta fish enjoy toys that stimulate their natural behaviours, such as playing with a ping-pong ball or chasing a floating mirror. Create a consistent routine: Betta fish thrive on routine, so try to feed them at the same time each day and maintain a consistent schedule for cleaning their tank.
How do I make my betta fish super happy? ›
Keep the water clean.
Betta are happiest when they have clean water, so be sure to do at least a 50% water change every week for a 2.5+ gallon tank. Anything under 2.5 gallons without a filter should get 100% water changes at least every other day.
How much food should I feed my fish? ›
As for how much food to feed, a good rule of thumb is to feed no more than the fish will consume completely in five to ten minutes. 3 When in doubt, underfeed! You can always give them another small feeding if necessary. However, if you overfeed, the uneaten food will produce wastes that can be harmful to the fish.
How often do fish need to be fed? ›
We recommend feeding fish two or three times a day rather than just once a day. Fish will learn the routine, if you usually feed them around 7am, 12pm and 6pm every day, you'll find them waiting for you at those times!
Can I overfeed my fish? ›
What can happen if you give them too much food? All excess un-eaten food will begin to decompose releasing organics and ammonia into their water environment. Too much organics and ammonia can challenge the workings of the aquariums filtration system (this filter system is what maintains good healthy water quality).
What causes underfeeding fish? ›
Water Quality: Water quality condition of a culture system and the health status of the fish under culture are the twin most important primary causes of poor feed consumption. This is because; the response of pond fish to feed can be used to ascertain the health condition of the fish.
