How Do I Stop My Betta From Attacking Other Fish?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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The best way to stop your fish from fighting is to only have

one male fish per tank

. If keeping bettas in individual tanks, provide a visual barrier between the two tanks so the fish cannot see each other at any time. Simple aquarium backgrounds or a piece of cardboard are effective visual barriers.

How do I stop my betta from attacking Tankmates?

How do you stop your from fighting other fish? Simply put,

there is no way to stop your betta fish

from fighting other fish. Some bettas are less aggressive than others and can successfully be kept with an assortment of tank mates; other bettas can't even be safely kept with snails or shrimp.

Why is my betta attacking my other fish?

Not only is your betta likely to start attacking other fish in the tank

if he's being nipped

, but he's also likely to become stressed, as well as there being an increased chance of fin rot occurring.

Will my betta get used to other fish?


Betta fish are naturally territorial and should not be housed with any other betta fish

because they will fight and injure each other, often resulting in death. They are unlikely to get lonely in their tank; however, if they are in a small tank, they may get bored.

Can you train betta to be not aggressive?

However, Male Bettas can be acclimatized to a community tank.

Buy the male betta when it is young small as compared

to the other fish in the tank. This ensures that it does not become aggressive. As the fish grows, it get used to the presence of other fish.

How do you train a betta fish to fight?

To train your betta, use

a feeding stick and place half a bloodworm on it

. The food should be within reach of the fish. Starting with the stick underwater, have your betta come to you. With the next try, move the feeding stick closer to the water's surface.

What do betta fish get along with?

​ Suitable tank mates may include, Pygmy Corydoras,

female Guppies

as they are not usually brightly colored, Ember Tetra, and Harlequin Rasboras. All these fish are calm and more importantly are not fin nippers. Snails are also another good option. Nerite snails, and Mystery snails both do well with Bettas.

How long does it take for fish to get used to each other?

A smooth transition is an ultimate way to acclimate the fish to its new home. Most people will tell you that it takes about 15 minutes for fish to acclimate to an aquarium. While this is partially true, it takes

at least an hour

for a new fish to adjust entirely to a new environment.

How many years can a betta fish live?

In the wild, they live in standing waters, often in rice paddies, floodplains, or canals. In the wild, they are less territorial due to the large space they live in – they will only spar, not fight to the death. Betta fish grow to be no longer than 3 inches, typically. Their usual lifespan is

2-5 years

.

Do female bettas fight?

Female Betta fish are characterised by similar behaviour as their male counterparts, but they are also subjected to other factors. In fact, they are not considered as aggressive as their male counterparts, and they are not as territorial. However,

fights can happen even between female Bettas

.

What is the least aggressive betta fish?

That's right, B. splendens has a chill cousin! Introducing the well

-mannered Betta imbellis

. This “peaceful Betta” is sometimes referred to as a “crescent Betta” as their rounded caudal fin is outlined with red, making it appear as a crescent shape.

Why do bettas flare?

Bettas mostly flare because

something in their territory poses a threat to them

, and they want to get rid of it as soon as possible. It could be another betta, tank mate, or their reflection. The threat to their territory can make them so stressed out that they cannot even eat.

How do I make my betta fish more aggressive?


Limiting hiding spaces and keeping a more wide-open aquarium will increase

your Betta's alertness and promote more aggressive displays. Smaller fish tanks increase their territory in space provided and will make them more active also.

Are bettas aggressive to other fish?

These fish are

highly aggressive

, and males will fight one another, often to the death. Even females can be aggressive, though they are usually more social than males. In a community aquarium, bettas will attack other brightly colored or flamboyant fish, but get along better with plainer, less colorful species.

How can I tell if my Betta is stressed?

  1. Faded, muted color.
  2. Clamped fins–fins are held close to the body.
  3. Stress stripes–more prominent in female bettas, and to a lesser degree in males.
  4. Poor appetite or may ignore fish food that has been newly given.
  5. Lethargy.
  6. Hiding.
  7. Darting.

Are female bettas aggressive to each other?


Females are less aggressive

, but they will still fight. They like to establish a hierarchy and claim their own territory. The battles are less violent than when males fight so injuries are less likely. Usually the aggression is directed at other Bettas, females tend to tolerate other species well.

Which betta fish is the most aggressive?


Plakats

are also the most aggressive variety of Betta. Only the most aggressive fighting fish were selected for breeding, so these are some rage filled little fish. They also have a bad habit of jumping out of their tanks. You absolutely need a tank with a tight lid that doesn't have any gaps.

Can you put ghost shrimp with betta fish?


Ghost shrimps and bettas can live together

, however, there is a risk of your ghost shrimp being eaten. … However, due to the fact they're so cheap, they're some of the best tank mates to start off with to see how aggressive your betta is. If he doesn't kill them, then it's a lot more likely he won't kill other fish.

Can two betta fish live together?

Can two betta fish live together?

Yes

. You can keep two bettas together, provided they are not both male. Keeping two males together will surely end in a fight to the death.

Can I put neon tetra with betta?

Neon Tetras & Bettas

Neon tetras can be a great addition to your tank and a great tank mate for your betta. If you plan on adding neon tetras to your tank you're going to need at least 6, but

10-12 is the ideal amount

. At 10-12 their stress levels will be minimal as they'll be in a good size school.

How do you calm a stressed fish down?

Ways to Reduce Fish Stress

Change water frequently to keep nitrate and ammonia levels low. Try

adding water conditioners like API Stress Coat Aquarium Water Conditioner

, which is formulated to reduce fish stress by 40% by removing dangerous toxins.

How long should I let my betta fish acclimate?

Acclimate your betta for

30-60 minutes

, depending on how different the water conditions between the cup and the new tank are. Add the betta fish to the new tank using a net or a clean cup without pouring the water inside the transfer cup into the new tank.

Should you feed new fish right away?


There is no rule to feeding new fish straight after acclimation

, but the fish will tell you. Some fish will be out swimming immediately, while others may go and hide. A small feed to test their appetite will show if they are ready to accept food. If not, wait 24 hours and try again.

What is the longest living betta fish?

It is rumored that the oldest Betta Fish lived to be

TEN years old

and was raised in laboratory conditions, although there is no evidence to confirm this.

How old are betta fish at Petsmart?

Because a Betta purchased at a pet shop is often

one year old already

. Males, in particular, are allowed to fully mature, so their fins and colors are well developed. Females may be sold at a bit younger age, but they will generally be at least six months old when offered for sale.

What type of Betta lives the longest?

Did you know? When you see older Betta fish, they interestingly tend to be of the veil tail variety. There is some speculation that the

red and blue veil tail Bettas

are the hardiest and live longest simply because they haven't been selectively bred as extensively.

What is normal Betta behavior?

Normal Betta Behavior

Betta fish are

active, happy little fish that don't have any problem showing it

. Betta fish will actively eat without issue and have no trouble swimming up to you if they think you might have a snack. These gorgeous fish can be quite full of personality, so expect nothing less when you own one.

Do bettas really fight?

Bettas, unlike other species, are not schooling fish

and will fight with each other, regardless of gender

. Bettas prefer to swim alone and also need a comfortable place to hide. Aquatic caves or dense, planted corners work great in making a betta feel safe.

What is the rarest betta color?

The rarest betta color in the world is

the albino betta

.

These are all lovely fish to display in a tank and aren't extremely common. But they have nothing on a true albino. What is this? True albino bettas, unlike white bettas, have pink or red eyes.

Why is my male betta attacking my female?


The male will see the female as a threat to the eggs and begin relentlessly attacking her

. Also, you'll need to remember that if the two bettas do end up producing fry, then some of them are likely to become males. While this isn't a problem at first, as they get older fighting will start to occur.

Why are betta fish sold in cups?

Male bettas can't be kept in the same tank under most circumstances, and it does not make sense economically to keep each in a separate full-size tank, so because of their unique physiology, they are kept in

small containers

.

How do you know a betta fish is peaceful?

So how do you recognize a peaceful betta by appearance? The best way is

to look at the tail

. The peaceful betta is also called the crescent betta because its tail is outlined in a red crescent, like these: Peaceful bettas aren't as popular of pets yet, but they are great tank mates for other freshwater fish.

What are Dumbo bettas?

The Dumbo Betta is

one of the most ornate and unusual varieties of Betta splendens

. This variety has very enlarged pectoral fins that look like large elephant ears on either side of the betta's head. These fins may have similar coloration to the body or may even be a contrasting color.

Will my betta get used to his reflection?

A:

Male bettas will often mistake their reflections in the aquarium glass

for a rival male fish and will attempt to defend their territory by flaring. This is really common when moving them into a new tank and in most cases they will stop after a couple of days as they get used to their new surroundings.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.