About Nick Expertise First off ---No goldfish or betta questions!!! I can and will reject all questions about goldfish or bettas, so do not bother asking me them.
Anyways, I can answer any question related to the care and breeding of freshwater fish. From disease to maintenence, requirements and tank mates, feeding, breeding, choosing, preferred parameters and minimum tank sizes, as well as disease and injury treatment. I specialize in all freshwater fish, including cichlids, characins, community fish, labyrinth fish (like bettas), monster fish, small catfish (plecos and the like), and predatory fish.
Experience I have dozens of tanks up right now, have had fish since I was 6.
I'm the department manager of the fish section at a local pet store.
You are here: Experts > Animals/Pets > Pet Fish > Fish > One of my bettas wont flair up when he sees himself or another one of my betas
Fish - One of my bettas wont flair up when he sees himself or another one of my betas
Expert: Nick - 6/23/2008
Question Hi there,
I have six male betas, that are all so beautiful. I keep them in separate tanks so that they wont hurt each other or themselves, and when I clean their tanks I make sure that they are never put together. My question is, one of my betas doesn't flair up his gills when he sees any of the other five. If they are close enough to each other (which is rare) they all will puff out. I have noticed though that he wont. I even tested it to see what he would do, and while my other beta flared out, he just did nothing. I know he saw the other one too because he literally just stared at him. He is very active, he eats well. I read from one of bentys answers if your beta doesn't flair up when he sees another beta then something is wrong -- but they didn't say what it would be. I also noticed that he is what it looks like blowing bubbles. He comes to the top and blows bubbles on the top of the water. Why is my beta not responding to others and blowing these bubbles which I haven't seen the others do?
Answer Simple answer, all fish have personalities. This is a proven scientific fact, not just my own observation.
He is just more peaceful in nature than the other bettas, but that doesn't mean you can ever mix them in the same tank.
These bubbles are called a bubble nest. The males do it when they are happy and comforatable, in hopes that some female will swim along and lay eggs in his bubble nest. If your other bettas are not doing this, there is likely something wrong with the water quality or what you are feeding them. Either that or they are just simply not sexually mature.
