My Betta it's occasionally open it's gill REALLY wide and bubbles come out of it, IT'S THAT NORMAL?

Question

HELP?!

Answer 1

Yes, that is normal as far as I know. First of all, bettas (and gouramis, who are in the same family) can't use the oxygen in the water, and actually breathe air. This would explain the bubbles.

The far open gills are normal too. Bettas (as you probably know) are extremely agressive, and love to display to each other. Sometimes, they just flare their fins, but they often also flare thier gill covers, so they look like this:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/13/Bettaflare.jpg

http://www.siamsbestbettas.com/images/betta4.jpg

Mine does this all the time. They do this when they see another betta, or even their own reflection, so don't worry, it's fine.

Answer 2

This sounds like the normal betta threat display. Some betta are more prone to doing this for no reason. If you put a mirror in front of your betta you'll see the full scale display. Just remember that a few hours of mirror time in week is healthy. 24/7 is stressful.

As far as the bubbles I've never seen that. He will build a bubble nest from time to time. This has more to do with marking his territory than wanting a mate. Also male bettas like many of their gourami cousins are "wife beaters", and will often kill a female after mating in a tank. (In the wild the male defends the nest, and drives off the female after mating.)

Answer 3

Bettas have an organ in their heads called the"labyrinth organ". It allows them to breathe whole air.It's an adaptation to their normal habitat (rice paddies and sluggish streams). The bubbles are completely normal. One thing that newbies some times don't consider is the need for the air temperature to be near the same as the water temps for these fish.Sometimes the mysterious illnesses that happen the Bettas is caused by this.-------PeeTee

Answer 4

No problems, its normal... Also Bettas do not need oxygenated water, they go to the surface and gulp air (probably how it gets trapped in their gills) that's why they can survive in those tiny tiny bowls in the fish store with no aeration.

Good Luck

Answer 5

yes, perfectly. If you had a pair, the bubbles are means of building a nest and laying eggs underneath.

Answer 6

There is no problem there. Fish will go to the surface and gulp air. On occasion there air will collect in a place where it is not readily dispelled. When your fish "yawns" the trapped air is able to escape.

Answer 7

Yes that's normal.

Answer 8

The water your beta is in isn't well oxygenated. The more bubbles you have in the water . . . the more oxygen it has. You may need to add a pump or some plant life to the water.

Answer 9

yup -- for more fun watch him eat -- little bits of food will come out his gills.

Answer 10

yes that normal unless you have put some washing up licquid in tank lol