In this post, we will answer the question “How to stop betta fish from fighting?”. We will discuss here the signs of fighting and what you should do to stop and avoid your betta fish from fighting.
How to stop betta fish from fighting?
Keeping only one male fish in each tank is the most effective way to keep your fish from fighting with one another. If you’re keeping bettas in separate tanks, make sure there’s a visual barrier between them so the fish can’t see each other at any time. Visual barriers may be as basic as aquarium backdrops or a piece of cardboard in order to be most effective.
Mirrored visual toys, as well as mirrors put near the aquarium, should be removed. When Bettas look in the mirror, they have been known to respond angrily to themselves. Although these products are called “enrichment,” they have recognized betta stressors and should not be put in betta aquariums. Betta fish can even damage themselves when they fight toys or their own images in a mirror, which is something they should avoid.
Marijuana and Prozac have been tried as treatments for aggressive betta fish behaviour. Both treatments resulted in less aggressive behaviour in the Bettas, but the marijuana dose became tolerable. Before beginning any treatment for your pet fish, always visit your veterinarian.
What is the experience of battling in betta fish like?
Betta fish engage in the most common type of fighting behaviour, which is flare-ups. This demonstration will involve the male betta fish pushing both opercula forward to demonstrate a bigger body size than the female betta fish. When under duress, a pufferfish expands and similarly flares its spines.
Other activities of the two fish are influenced by their physical connection with one another. Physical interactions can include one fish ramming, swimming directly into, biting or nipping at the fins of another fish. Two males can also wrestle by locking their mouths together.
Why do betta fish fight?
Food, shelter, and female access are all important factors in the development of a betta fish’s domain. Aggressive behaviour in a number of fish species is a result of this phenomenon.
Whether fighting behaviour in betta fish is inherent or a function of the environment in which they are grown is still up for dispute. Bettas that have been reared as a group have been shown to have less aggressive tendencies, according to research. 1 Depending on where you get your betta fish, it might be difficult to tell how they were reared and how violent they are. It may take many weeks to assess their level of antagonism. However, the majority of male bettas are aggressive and should not be kept in the same tank as other bettas.
Betta fish have a long history of being raised as competitive fighters in their native Thailand. According to research observing competitive battles, fish raised in isolation, without the presence of other betta fish, are more hostile and struggle for longer periods of time. The keeping of fish for this reason, as well as dogfighting, is a big concern for animal welfare.
Female bettas are seldom antagonistic against one another in their group. In most cases, female bettas are housed in a small group known as a sorority, and particular fish may be more or less hostile than their peers, resulting in a hierarchical structure within the group. The addition of new females to the harem after it has been created may result in increased fighting when a new hierarchy is established. Female bettas are frequently housed in aquariums alongside other fish of comparable size.
While male bettas cannot be kept in the same aquarium as other bettas, a single male betta can be kept with other non-aggressive fish species. Other fish species can be housed alongside female bettas. If the other fish in the tank have flowing ends that are similar to those of a betta, some betta fish may be violent. It is critical to stock your tank with fish that are not violent and who are good members of their community. Because of their personalities, they may or may not be allowed to coexist with other species in the same tank as you. Some bettas are far too violent to be housed in the same tank as other fish species. In order to avoid any possibly hostile contact with other fish, the betta fish should be placed last to the aquarium.
Signals of betta fish fights
Gill flaring, ramming, and fin nipping are the most prominent indicators of fighting. If your fish isn’t actively fighting, look for other indicators such as lost scales, thinning fins, or increased hiding. Extreme signs and symptoms include lethargy, low appetite, lengthy hiding periods, and unexpected death. If you’re trying to keep bettas together and you notice signs of fighting, you’ll need to separate the fish.
Because of their long flowing fins, betta fish are prone to “fin rot” or fraying fins. When you are unwell or have a failing immune system, you will commonly experience this symptom. Overdecorating with a lot of objects that can break betta fins is another major cause of fin injury.
What should I do in order to put an end to the fighting?
If you’re concerned about your Betta fish battling, there are several things you can do.
Select the ideal combination of males and females
The number of males and females in your aquarium will determine whether or not your betta fish will fight. If there are adequate hiding spots inside a big tank, two females may be able to coexist. You’ll still need to keep a tight check on them. Some females, depending on their personality, may be unable to prevent themselves from fighting. If the problem persists, you may need to create a partition. It is not permissible for two males to swim freely together.
You’ll need a partition, and you might want to position the foliage so that they can’t see each other easily. When men and females are kept together, they frequently mate. In this case, the male will take care of the eggs, driving the female away and, in some cases, destroying her if the betta tank is too tiny. In the future, the male Betta will have to be removed, and homes for the juvenile Bettas will have to be located.
Purchase a larger tank
Keeping more than one Betta fish in a tank will need the use of the largest tank that you can locate. It is recommended that a least 25 gallons be used. Toss it some vegetation, tank stones, and shelters to help it cycle correctly. Bettas require a haven where they can hide from one another. Otherwise, the brawls will become too serious.
Fill the tank with more fish
If you’re just beginning started with an aquarium, it’s usually best to start with a single female Betta and other tropical species. Men should be left alone or should only be permitted to associate with invertebrates such as snails in certain situations. In addition, you do not want to pick a buddy with excessively showy fins or another aggressive breed as your companion.
Make the necessary preparations for the environment
Provide plenty of hiding places for your Bettas and the other fish in the aquarium when you’re putting up your aquarium. This will give your fish a sense of security while also lowering their stress levels.
Take immediate action
If there is any fighting in the tank, you must act quickly to halt it. Otherwise, they are likely to do major harm to one other, maybe leading to death. One method is to fully isolate the fish from the rest of the group. Alternatively, you might use walls to divide the tank, ensuring that all regions of the tank are intriguing enough to keep your fish’s attention.
This is commonly a sheet of plastic or meshes with holes cut out to fit your aquarium’s dimensions. Water should be able to flow freely, but the fish should be confined to one side. Fighting behaviour will still occur if they can see each other, thus you’ll need to attempt to conceal their view using plants and other obstructions.
Conclusion
In this post, we answered the question “How to stop betta fish from fighting?”. We discussed here the signs of fighting and what you should do to stop and avoid your betta fish from fighting.
If you have any questions or concerns, please let us know in the comments section below!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): How to stop betta fish from fighting?
What should I do to encourage my betta fish a little more friendly?
Spending time with your betta fish and allowing it to get to know you are an important part of earning its trust. Place the tank near where you perform your regular activities, such as studying, reading, or a hobby, so your betta fish can keep an eye on you as you work.
Is it okay if my betta fish fights?
While most Betta Fish would never reach this level, the battles are brutal. Both fish are nibbling at each other’s scales, fins, tails, and gills. The battle alone is unlikely to kill a betta, but the stress, infection, and trauma associated with it can be fatal.
What’s the best way to keep my two female bettas from fighting?
Allow them to roam freely in the enormous tank, but keep a watch on their behaviour. People vary in their ability to cope with new situations, and some may never be able to handle having free access to another betta, but they should be OK with other species. If they continue to fight, erect a barrier between them.
Why is my betta so irritated?
Flaring is a form of intimidation that is used to demonstrate authority and make one appear larger. Bettas can engage in this behaviour for a few minutes each day, but much longer than that can result in a stressed-out fish.
Will there be a fight between a male and female betta?
Because males battle with one another (thus their popular name, Siamese fighting fish), only one male can be kept in an aquarium. Other than for breeding purposes, do not mix males and females in the same tank.
Is it okay if I have two female bettas together?
Female betta fish, in contrast to male betta fish, are capable of coexisting happily in the same aquarium. Sororities are groups of women who live in close proximity to one another. 4-6 female betta fish is a nice quantity to keep together in general. Plants and aquarium decorations are frequently used as hiding places for betta fish.
References
Wilson, J. How Can I Stop my Betta Fish From Fighting? https://animals.mom.com/can-stop-bettas-fighting-10002.html
Lawson, L. How Can I Stop My Bettas from Fighting? https://pets.thenest.com/can-stop-bettas-fighting-4345.html
Why Do Betta Fish Fight and How to Stop Them. https://www.mypetneedsthat.com/why-do-betta-fish-fight/
