Oh, the things bettas do

[BettaMomma]

So.
A couple of things I've always wondered about.
If someone could shed some light, that'd be sweet.

1) When they do their little "yawn" thing - like they're stretching their gills - are they clearing out their labyrinth, or what are they doing?
2) What exactly happens when they "chew"? I freaked out when I saw my first betta eat for the first time - I was pretty convinced his head was going to fall off.

 

[rdd1952]

Our's do the chewing thing too. It is funny to watch. They are smart fish. If they are hid under a leaf or behind the filter, all I have to do is tough the water and they come swimming out looking for food.

 

[BettaMomma]

Another odd thing I just saw.
I have a small aeration bar in Jasper's tank.
I also have tetracycline in there, and the combo of the meds and aeration creates a bubble mountain at the top of the tank.
Jasper sits under it, staring up at it and attacks the bubbles every now and then, almost like he's trying to eat them.
Does he think they're eggs or is he just playing? (You experienced breeders can laugh, I'm retarded when it comes to breeding and am pretty clueless when it comes to anything related to it, so don't give me too much grief about thinking something so silly, if it is silly! )

 

[BettaMomma]

Okay, newest thing Amos did.
COMPLETELY terrified me.
I keep him in a styrofoam cup here at work while i'm changing out his tank.
He always tries to jump out - he jumps up and hits whatever it is that I have over the top of the cup, no big deal.
Well TODAY he jumped up and he didn't land back in the water - he STUCK TO THE SIDE OF THE CUP. Oh my god I was horrified. Thank god I was standing right there and could shake him loose.

So note to everyone - make sure you watch your little guy whenever you're changing out your tank - no matter what he's being temporarily kept in.

yikes.