Betta fish, or Siamese fighting fish, are famous for their aggression. Most hobbyists have heard the myth that bettas must live alone and can never have tank mates.
Bettas are primarily aggressive toward members of their species — especially males. They are much more docile and forgiving to other species.
Wild bettas are naturally aggressive. They need to be to defend their territory, food, and offspring.
Captive-bred bettas continue to be aggressive because we’ve bred it into their genes.
Are Betta Fish Aggressive?
Betta fish are aggressive to other members of their species and fish that look like them. Fish that are dull in color and have short fins are rarely targets.
Male bettas, in particular, are highly territorial and aggressive toward one another.
Males are likely to fight females, too, especially outside of the breeding season. Females are much less territorial. Many even share close quarters, though fighting sometimes occurs.
Why Are Betta Fish So Aggressive?
The main reason male bettas are so aggressive is to establish and defend their territory. In the wild, many bettas live near each other. They choose a spot to call their own and drive away other bettas from the area.
Defending their territory includes protecting access to food and females.
Food may be scarce in the wild, and bettas have no qualms about fighting for a chance to eat.
Males are the ones who protect the eggs during breeding. They build bubble nests that hold and protect the developing eggs. Male bettas become very territorial during this time to keep their eggs safe.
The main cause of fighting between female bettas also stems from defending territory. Females tend to be far less territorial than males.
Do Bettas Always Fight?
In the wild, bettas won’t necessarily fight another betta for coming into their territory. Bettas share a lot of space and will inevitably enter another betta’s domain at some point. Bettas will usually flare at the intruder. They usually retreat rather than resort to fighting.
How Long Do Fights Last?
Most fights last for a few minutes or less.
How long a fight lasts depends on how territorial and aggressive each fish is. Fights usually end once one betta realizes they are losing.
Especially aggressive bettas may continue fighting until severe injury or death occurs. It is rare for fighting to go on this long.
Are Bettas Less Aggressive Toward Relatives?
Studies show that bettas tend to be less aggressive toward their siblings.
Betta breeding is common. Most breeders house juvenile bettas together until they reach a specific size. These juveniles tend to be less aggressive toward each other in adulthood.
Buying siblings when putting together a sorority (all-female) betta tank is best. The siblings are already familiar with one another and less likely to fight.
Buying females from different breeders or parents runs the risk of increased aggression.
Research shows that bettas raised with any species of fish lessen aggression. Bettas raised in a tank alone are far more likely to attack when put in contact with other fish.
Can You Keep More Than One Betta In A Tank?
Hobbyists should never keep more than one male betta per tank. Betta fish fighting is inevitable when more than one male lives together.
Do Female Betta Fish Fight?
Female betta fish fight, though they’re not as aggressive or territorial as males.
A male and female should not live together either — they will fight.
The only time a male and female should be in the same tank is during breeding. Breeding takes knowledge and patience — beginners should not attempt it.
Can Female Bettas Live Together?
Female bettas can sometimes live together in groups called “sororities.”
Housing many females is not for newbie owners. It’s difficult and results in injury and death when done incorrectly.
Female sororities must comprise at least five individuals. A sorority can comprise as many females as the hobbyist likes, though a larger tank will be necessary.
A tank for five females must be at least 20 gallons, and there should be ample vegetation and hiding places.
The goal is to provide enough space for each female to have her own territory. A lack of space and hiding places results in fighting.
Is There A Dominant Female?
The bettas often establish a hierarchy in their tank, with the most dominant female “in charge.” All fish have individual personalities. It’s normal for some to be more aggressive than others.
Usually, the most aggressive betta will become the dominant one. She “rules” over the other bettas and keeps them in line.
Are There Ever Females That Are Too Aggressive?
Some females are naturally very aggressive and don’t do well in sororities. They should live in a tank by themselves, or they will continue to harass and injure the other females.
It’s best to add all female bettas at once. Adding a new betta to an established sorority results in fighting. The fish must reestablish their hierarchy.
How Do You Know If Your Females Are Fighting?
Torn fins and missing scales are obvious signs of fighting. Less noticeable symptoms include lethargy, loss of appetite, and increased hiding.
Keep an eye out for these signs — hobbyists don’t always see their fish in the act.
How Do Betta Fish Fight?
Before jumping to fighting, betta fish try to scare their opponent away.
Betta fish flare their operculums, or gill covers, at one another. They also fan out their fins. Both acts make them look larger and are a way to intimidate the other betta.
They resort to ramming into each other when flaring doesn’t work. Opposing bettas begin biting at each other’s fins.
Why Is Fighting Between Bettas Bad?
Fighting is bad because a betta fish fight can result in severe injury or death.
Due to the delicate nature of betta fins, fin nipping can cause immense injury. After a fight, wounded bettas often have shredded fins. Injuries are likely to become infected.
Smaller or weaker bettas often do not survive these encounters.
What Is Fin Rot?
Fin rot is a bacterial infection that causes fraying and deterioration of the fins. Fin rot is usually a sign of poor water conditions, though it can occur from fighting.
Bettas often receive fin injuries from fights. These leave their fins susceptible to fin rot.
Fin rot is rarely fatal as long as the fish receives treatment. Remove the injured fish from the hostile tank. Treat them with bacterial medication.
Do Betta Fish Always Fight To The Death?
Betta fish do not always fight to the death. Usually, the losing betta will give up and retreat.
Death most often occurs when the bettas live together in a small tank and have nowhere to go.
Are Certain Kinds Of Betta Fish Less Aggressive?
Betta splendens all have similar temperaments, though some hobbyists disagree.
There are dozens of betta types with different fin types and colors.
Some have large, fan-like fins, some have long, pointed fins, and others have short fins. Bettas come in various colors, from white, red, blue, and black.
All fin types are part of the same species, Betta splendens. Some fin types seem to show more aggression than others, though the evidence is anecdotal.
Some betta keepers say the most aggressive betta fish are plakats and crowntails.
Conversely, some of the calmer betta fish seem to be veiltails. These are the kinds hobbyists may want to choose when setting up a community tank.
Do Betta Fish Attack Other Fish Species?
Betta fish may attack other fish if they seem like a threat.
They are more prone to attack fish with bright colors or long fins. These characteristics make the fish look similar to bettas, and bettas don’t like that.
Generally, peaceful, dull, and short-finned fish are safe around bettas. As long as the betta doesn’t see the fish as a threat, they are unlikely to attack them.
There are exceptions, as some bettas are more aggressive than others.
Why Is My Betta Fish Flaring Its Gills At Me?
Bettas flare at things they perceive as a threat, including their caretakers.
Bettas are more likely to flare at their owners when they are new and aren’t yet familiar with them.
The longer they live in their tank, the more they associate their owner with food and realize they’re not a threat. The flaring should occur less often at that point.
Bettas may flare while their owners clean their tanks, which they see as threatening.
How Can You Stop Fighting?
The best way to stop fighting is to prevent it in the first place — only keep one male betta per tank.
Use dark dividers when housing many bettas in the same tank to prevent them from seeing one another.
Similarly, if individual tanks are close to one another, install a visual barrier.
NEVER place mirrors in or near a betta’s tank.
Even if they can’t reach the real or mirrored threat, bettas will try their best to attack. Bettas often injure themselves by ramming into glass aquariums or mirrors.
Some say giving a betta access to a mirror for a few minutes every day is good. The argument is that it’s healthy for them to flare their gills occasionally. The belief is controversial and not practiced by all owners. We know that mirrors cause stress.
How Do You Stop Fighting In A Community Tank?
Choose fish with dull colors and short fins to prevent fighting in a community tank. They are less of a threat to bettas.
Ensure the tank is large and all fish have plenty of room to hide and escape each other when needed.
Avoid choosing tank mates that are aggressive and will go after bettas. Tetras and barbs tend to be fin nippers, for example.
Always add the community fish to the tank before adding the betta fish when possible. Doing so prevents the betta from establishing their territory first. It also gives the community fish time to explore and find hiding places.
Giving a betta the run of the tank first gives them a chance to claim their territory. They will be hostile to the community fish they perceive as invading their space.
Change up the decorations if the betta displays aggression after being in the tank for some time. Switching up the scenery disrupts their chosen territory and reduces aggression.
What Is Betta Fish Sport Fighting?
In Thailand, where bettas are native, there is a history of fighting betta fish for sport. Like dog fighting, the winning fish is the one that survives the fight or is the least injured.
Event-goers would often bet money on the fighting bettas.
As fighting became more popular, breeders began breeding bettas for more aggression.
Should You Encourage Your Betta Fish To Fight?
No responsible betta owner will encourage their fish to fight. Fighting stresses them out and can cause injury and death.
Some online resources instruct owners on how to get their bettas to fight. Never listen to or use these instructions — it’s cruel.
Encouraging betta fish fighting is no different in cruelty than dog fighting.
FAQs
Where Are Betta Fish From?
Bettas are native to Southeast Asia. They live in rice patties, small streams, and sometimes, ditches.
A betta fish’s environment includes slow-moving, murky water and vegetation. Their aquarium environment should mimic these natural conditions.
Are Betta Fish Hard To Care For?
Betta fish are not hard to care for — they are one of the hardiest freshwater fish available. They are great for beginners, though they can’t live in a bowl and be healthy.
Beginners need to do their research on the proper care of bettas. Bettas need decent-sized tanks, filters, heaters, and protein-rich foods.
Betta fish that don’t receive the proper care have weakened immune systems and are prone to disease. Some of the most common illnesses amongst bettas are fin rot, ich, and dropsy.
Some signs of illness include:
- Labored breathing
- Decreased appetite
- Fin rot/clamped fins
- Bloating
- Loss of color
