A few curious questions...

[FlareBettaGuy]

I have a few questions about bettas that I have been thinking about for a long time. These are not urgent, but I would still like them to be answered.

How do bettas sleep? Don't they need to get air every few seconds?

Why do bettas spit the pellets out sometimes, then go for them, then spit them out again? Too big?

My betta is blue, but strangely, his belly area is a slight yellowish gold. Why? He has a "Golden Belly"?

My betta won't flare. I hold a mirror up against him from every angle, but no flare. Why?

How well can bettas see?

 

[dixaisy930]

I think they spit them out because they're too big...or maybe they don't like the taste..

Nux doesn't flare either...not even at Dogma...I think maybe he's just more passive, and probably got tired of doing it all of the time when he was in the petstore and was surrounded by other bettas in small cups.

 

[White Whale]

How do bettas sleep? Don't they need to get air every few seconds?

It varies. I have 5 of them. Some just hang by the surface. Others just like to lie on the ground or a plant. And still sometimes they sleep with their fins supporting them - kinda makes them look like a missile launcher. I watched mine sleep. Remember, they are not holding their breath. Their labyrinth organ was evolved to compensate shallow pools until the monsoon season arrives. They are still fish.

Why do bettas spit the pellets out sometimes, then go for them, then spit them out again? Too big?

My bettas HATE pellets. Probably the taste as humans manufacture the food by their standard instead of the fishes'. Do they actually put fishes through a taste test?

My betta is blue, but strangely, his belly area is a slight yellowish gold. Why? He has a "Golden Belly"?

Some will have different color tones. Mutts - like the ones they sell in the pet stores are rarely one solid color. Still, multi-coloreds are very attractive to look at.

My betta won't flare. I hold a mirror up against him from every angle, but no flare. Why?

Probably bored or "you must be kidding". (Just kidding!) But maybe they are used to a community of bettas being around them.

How well can bettas see?

I did a test. They aren't aware of each other until they are about 6 inches close. When one has been targeted, the focus goes as far as a foot.

 

[FlareBettaGuy]

Wow. Thanks both of you.

 

[White Whale]

Oh man! Your signature is funny!!!!

 

[lizard]

How do bettas sleep? Don't they need to get air every few seconds?

I have one Betta who likes to stop and take a rest on the plants. He sort of rests himself there. I suppose that's the equivalent of us jost flopping down for a quick rest. Do fish close their eyes when they sleep? I see mine hanging out in one spot on the bottom of the tank sometimes.

My betta won't flare. I hold a mirror up against him from every angle, but no flare. Why?

Guess he just doesn't like to... Mine don't flare much either. Crash seems to flare at un-named on occasion, but un-named will just stare at Crash or ignore him. My Bettas never flare at me and if I put my finger by their tank, they are afraid of it (unless my finger is above them and contains food).

Different fishes, different personalities, I guess

Pamela
aka Fish-Psychologist Lizard

 

[wuvmybetta]

Oh man! Your signature is funny!!!!

I second that!! I actually thought about it a couple of times today and cracked up ,thanks for the laugh (s)




1.Bettas sleep....very quietly ,but if you watch him close you'll notice him dart up to the top for a gulp of air every now and then,one gulp will last for quite sometime, I timed one on my desk and she hasn't come up for air in over ten minutes

2.I would imagine he's moistening his pellets to his liking,they're probably too dry for his taste

3.he sounds beautiful,no need to worry if he seems to be healthy


4.aaaw,don't freak him out with a mirror,I know some do it for exercise but if he doesn't flare he must be very passive and laid back,does he shy away from his reflection?
Bettas are very "jealous" fish,none of my males have a real clear view of another,they all think they're the only one

5. just as bitty said....about 6 inches or so

 

[FishHeads]

How do bettas sleep? Don't they need to get air every few seconds?

My Beta sleeps with his nose above the surface with his anal fin and tail fin supporting him on one of his plants. But I have seen them sleep at the bottom of the tank as well, their gills do breathe for them...the respiration of human air is only necessarily needed for when Betas are in very shallow water with very little dissolved oxygen. Big Blue looks like a total dork when he swims nose up.

Why do bettas spit the pellets out sometimes, then go for them, then spit them out again? Too big?

I don't know, my Betas LOVE Beta Bites and pellets....But I taint them with bloodworm flavoring I bought at a show in Mesa.....So they can't resist the taste! < I am evil >

My betta is blue, but strangely, his belly area is a slight yellowish gold. Why? He has a "Golden Belly"?
He's a mutt, a mix of two different Beta strains (or more), like stated before, Betas rarely come in one solid color, in fact, out of my 12, only 3 or 4 are solid.

My betta won't flare. I hold a mirror up against him from every angle, but no flare. Why? Probably flared out...He must be desesitized to seeing another Beta....Put another with him I DARE you!! D

 

[Dreaded]

Do fish close their eyes when they sleep?

Nope. No eyelids.

 

[Inchworm]

What an interesting thread.

Thank you all. I've learned a lot by reading it.