Playful bettas...

[FalconStorm]

I just had to share this. I have several female bettas, all separated until I can get my female tank set up. Friday, I fed everyone peas to aid in digestion. Well, my fish aren't terribly used to eating peas, so a lot of them got ignored. Two of my females got a real kick out of them, though. Instead of eating them, what they would do is swim to the bottom, pick up a piece of pea in their mouth and swim back to the top of their tank. Then, they would drop the pea and chase it back down to the ground. Titania usually managed to catch hers and take it back to the top. Lilith had trouble catching hers again, but she's bigger and not able to move as fast and Titania. I thought ladies weren't supposed to play with their food!

It was so much fun watching them play. They both ate a little bit, but the remainder had to be removed later. It's obvious that fish can actually play and enjoy amusements. I wonder if there would be anything they would be interested in as a 'toy', or if they were just playing with the peas because they are food?

 

[eudielynn]

I have heard of others putting ping pong balls into their tanks and the fish playing with them, and with cork like out of wine bottles. (Well rinsed I'm sure, to avoid drunken fishys.) I don't have any cork handy or ping pong balls, but I'm going to try one or the other as soon as I get a chance.

 

[FalconStorm]

I think I may try some cork when I can get some. I think they would enjoy it. That's a great idea. Thanks.

 

[sandig]

That is so cute! What a great idea.

Sandi

 

[BettaMomma]

How cute are they!??

I did the ping pong ball with a few of my fish, and little Jack played with it for hours.
The girls were all mad when they found out it wasn't food and ignored it but Jack loved it!