Discover the Aquatic World: 14 Amazing and Fun Facts About Betta Fish You Won't Believe

1. Michael Gills' Labyrinth Organ

Betta fish may not have trained at the "Michael Gills" School of Aquatic Endurance, but they certainly have a neat party trick up their fins: These unique swimmers come equipped with a lung-like labyrinth organ, allowing them to extract oxygen from the air at the water surface, giving them a competitive edge in oxygen-poor environments. However, don't be mistaken – bettas still rely on their gills and labyrinth organ to get the perfect balance of oxygen to thrive in their watery world.
Source => wildbettablog.com

2. Betta Water Polo

While most kids send their unsuspecting pets chasing after laser pointers, betta fish prefer a more civil approach to sports – like a good old round of water polo, sans horses of course: Betta fish can actually be trained to perform a variety of tasks, such as swimming through hoops, leaping out of water, and even pushing miniature balls, all through the power of patience and positive reinforcement.
Source => vetmed.illinois.edu

Did you know there's a fish that can create its own electric field to "see" and communicate? Discover how hormones play a role in this electrifying underwater dance!

=> Fun Facts about Fish

3. Betta Sorority Drama

Betta fish sororities are like reality TV shows: they have drama, alliances, and the occasional power struggle. But despite the sass and flare, these leading ladies play well with others and actually make great tank-mates: Female betta fish can be kept together in a group without aggression and may even cohabitate peacefully with other non-aggressive fish species. So feel free to expand your aquatic cast, because betta females know how to share the spotlight!
Source => thesprucepets.com

4. Underwater Dating Apps

In a fishy version of "The Bachelor," male betta fish rely on underwater dating apps like "Plenty of Fins" and the shimmer of the female profile pictures to choose their potential mates: Studies have shown that male betta fish are more attracted to females with vibrant colors, which may indicate good health and reproductive potential, leading ladies to flaunt their hues come mating season rather than solely relying on body language.
Source => fishbio.com

5. Betta-Gourami Rivalry

In the underwater world of betta fish, it's a "Tale of Two Cities," and frankly, even Dickens couldn't pen a happy ending between them and the dwarf gouramis: Despite being related, these species cannot coexist in the same fish tank due to their territorial aggression, leaving fish hobbyists to ponder carefully when choosing tankmates for their petulant betta fish.
Source => jaljeev.com

6. Martial Arts Masters

Despite their seemingly royal title reminiscent of a regal upper-class gathering, betta fish prefer to live their lives like combative martial arts masters à la Bruce Lee: they're also known as Siamese fighting fish due to their aggressive behavior. Don't let their flamboyant fins and vibrant colors fool you into a false sense of serenity: it's best to house them alone in a tank, as they'll likely attack each other – especially males. Experienced fishkeepers can maintain harmonious sororities of females in larger tanks, but opting for a solo male allows for a simpler, more peaceable aquatic environment.
Source => aquariumstoredepot.com

7. Ancient Aquatic Drama

Move over, Kardashians, betta fish have been owning the colorful drama game for centuries: Domestic betta fish are descendants of less vibrant and aggressive wild species in Southeast Asia, and their domestication dates back at least 1,000 years, making them one of the oldest fish domestics known, while interbreeding poses a threat to the survival of wild betta species.
Source => nytimes.com

8. H2O-High Jumpers

Betta fish, the aquatic acrobats, defying gravity with their "H2O-high jumps": These flamboyant fin-flappers can jump up to two inches out of the water, necessitating a cover on their tanks to prevent any unintended injury.
Source => rufflesnuffle.co.uk

9. Mirror Therapy

Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the most aggressive betta fish of them all? Well, it's not quite what the Evil Queen had in mind, but betta fish and mirrors do have a unique relationship: Short and controlled exposures to their reflection can engage their hunting instincts, stimulate breeding behavior, and redirect aggression away from fellow tank mates, making it a quick and cheap method to entertain and maintain their well-being.
Source => bettacarefishguide.com

10. Feisty Female Betta Fish

Who says girls can't be feisty too? In the underwater world of betta fish, ladies show the gentlemen they're not the only ones with a penchant for getting scrappy: Female betta fish exhibit aggression similar to males, driven by territorial instincts or stress, rather than just to protect their eggs. Keep a male and female betta together without proper measures, and you'll have a scene reminiscent of a Real Housewives throwdown!
Source => badmanstropicalfish.com

11. Colorful Love Children

Betta fish matchmaking is more successful than your favorite dating app, producing the most stunning tail-swiping love children the aquatic world has ever seen: With an 85-95% success rate, crossbreeding betta fish can result in a dazzling array of colors and tail patterns, thanks to the expertise of seasoned aquarists selecting the finest purebred betta fish for a little flirty fin action.
Source => fishaholic.net

12. Memory Champion Betta Fish

Who said fish are forgetful? Move over Dory, because Betta fish might just be the unexpected memory champions of the aquatic world: These fin-tastic little creatures can not only remember their owners for weeks on end, but they also have a keen sense for their tank's interior design, recalling every plant and pebble placement like a true feng shui enthusiast.
Source => lovetoknowpets.com

13. Betta Fasting

Feeling a little peckish, betta believe they can fast: Betta fish can survive without food for up to 10-14 days in the wild, primarily due to their usually carnivorous nature of snacking on insects, larvae, crustaceans, and bloodworms, but remember, prolonged fasting could seriously weaken their inner fishy-powers, increasing susceptibility to illnesses.
Source => badmanstropicalfish.com

14. Aquatic Houdinis

Betta fish are the aquatic Houdinis of the animal kingdom, dazzling their audiences with underwater acrobatics and graceful fin-flaps: These intelligent little swimmers can even learn tricks, like circling through hoops and following a human's finger, adding a splash of entertainment while also keeping boredom at bay and making betta fish the ideal low-maintenance pet for freshwater aficionados of all experience levels.
Source => aqueon.com