How can you teach a beta fish tricks?

Question

2nd day with my fishies (both males). How can you teach them cool tricks, such as jumping through a hoop? Does it take a lot of time? Is there anyway to make them move more? Any cool games to play? Mine seem pretty anti-social, and it makes me worried that I may have picked up the wrong type of fish for my kids!

Answer 1

Now there’s only so much you can actually do with your beta fish. But that doesn’t mean you can’t play with them! Remember how betas are fighting fish? If you want to see your beta get mad, try this:

Hold a mirror up to the bowl or aquarium so that your fish can see himself.
After a few seconds, the beta will believe he’s seen another beta fish, become territorial, and stick his gills out. He may even hit the side of the aquarium or bowl if he’s mad enough!


You can also try a couple other tricks wit your beta:

Some betas jump out of the water, but make sure your beta is supervised if your bowl doesn’t have a net or screen; too much time out of the water and he’ll be dead!
Grab the beta’s attention by running your finger against the glass. This allows the beta to get some exercise.


Betas are some of the most beautiful fish out there. They require minimal upkeep, adhere to simple feeding times, and can actually be enjoyable to “play” with. So if you’re searching for a first pet, or just someone to keep you company, beta fish definitely make a good choice.

Answer 2

Bettas do have some degree of intelligence (we're not talking dolphins here, but smarter than your average goldfish). They can be trained to do certain things, much like dogs. Usually it involves giving them a signal, and rewarding them with food. It takes quite a bit of time (weeks or months) and a lot of dedication, but it can be done. Just Google "train bettas" and you'll find a bunch of stuff. See the source listed below for one particular example.

Answer 3

Well i had a Betta fish if you wanna see something funny.. is the fish bowl put the shinny stones and a mirror with a sticker of a Betta fish on it you will see your fish fighting with the sticker fish.. that's the most you can get out of them..
if you have to males in one tank they will fight against each other.. be very care full.. they only stay alive for almost 1 year..

Answer 4

I hope you aren't keeping the two male bettas together in one tank. They don't learn to do tricks. However,goldfish have been taught to do some tricks,using food as an incentive. See Aquarium Fish Magazine of a couple of months ago.

Answer 5

There are a few real keys to dog training, whether you are trying to train your dog to come when called, sit, stop barking or any other behavior. Understanding their importance is critical to achieving rapid results that are long lasting and help develop the bond between you and your dog. Learn more http://OnlineDogTraining.enle.info/?26q8

The first is simple; you must win your dogs mind. If you don’t achieve this first then you will be struggling the all the way. When I talk about winning your dogs mind what I really mean is that your dog looks to you for all the decisions. Before you do anything else watch one of the amazing video sites that show you the 5 Golden rules to establishing yourself as the pack leader. If you aren’t putting these in place then you are setting yourself up to fail. Just at the crucial point where you really want your dog to listen they will go and do their own thing. For sure your dog may play ball occasionally or even most of the time, you may even have a dog that is obedient 99% of the time, however if you want a dog who always listens to you and does as you ask then you need to win your dogs mind.

The second key to success is to motivate your dog. It is really important that you discover what it is that your dog enjoys both in terms of exercise and play but also in terms of a reward. If you can make the experience enjoyable then you will both achieve more and look forward to training.

Some dogs love to fetch, others love agility, and other dogs simply love obedience training, or swimming out into water and retrieve. At least to start with find out what your dogs love is and help them develop this, what I am saying is work with your dog. The other point to recognize is to make training enjoyable reward your dog.

Answer 6

Fish don't do tricks. They do not have the brain compacity to learn, they only go along with their instincts.

Which is where you can get them to be a little more active.

As males hate each other, and will fight to the death if in the same tank/bowl, you can use a small mirror and place it in front of your fish where he can see it.

Then you'll see them flare up and show off their colors and try to attack it's image.

That is the only trick they do, but it is fun to watch for a bit.

But don't do it too often, otherwise you'll tire them out.

Answer 7

If both fish are in same tank they are probably exhausted from trying to kill each other.Beta's like to be alone in a small aquarium.

Answer 8

um, fishes don't do that, sorry. Fishes are not social, except kissing fishes, a breed, or type. I had about 25-30 fishes, and they are social together. as for making them move, tape wrapping paper to the back of the tank, and use your finger to make them move, maybe it will work. Enjoy those fishes. Or fishies

Answer 9

Yes it takes time. You have to do same retoine everyday

Answer 10

Umm... sorry to tell you but fish are probably the stupidest animals there are out there.... You won't be able to teach them crap. Since they only have a 10 second meomory span they won't even remember getting feed. If you want a pet that does tricks get a dog.