Beta Male Fish

Question
Hi, Karen

We have a male beta fish that we have had the best fun with as compared to our gold fish in another tank.  Our beta fish is VERY observant and watches everything everyone does when they are in the same room as him.  When we got up to the bowl to look at him he comes swimming up very fast, pops out his gills and then just stares back at us.  What does it mean when his gills pop out?  He is so observant and we thoroughly enjoy him.  How can you tell when they are happy?

Thanks.

Answer
Dear Theresa, I'm sorry I couldn't have replied sooner than I would have wished...Our website has been under some renovation.

Your betta is very happy now. The wonderful things about Bettas are they are so observant and responsive to their owners and many enjoy popping out their extended gills plates towards their owners also. This is called "Flaring" --when another male betta encounters another male, he will flare just as you are seeing and dance back and forth with all fins extended to say, "I'm the king around here! You better back off!" Of course, if the other male betta doesn't, they will fight quite savagely sometimes.
But what really baffles me is why bettas flare at their owners. It's a very cute thing to us. But is he saying "back off--this is my territory"? I don't know.

Every betta has their own personality. Some can be very ready to challenge anything/or anybody and others are docile as lambs. Some have a combination of the two.

A happy betta will have beautiful color, a good appetite and always be ready to eat, flare frequently, and sometimes even build bubblenests. Bubblenests are where female bettas put their eggs. But it's Father betta who builds it, keeps it up, and after spawning with a female, drives her away and takes care of the eggs and babies himself. Bubblenests simply look like a little mass of tiny bubbles from which the male blows after gulping in a bit of air from above water and then blowing our bubble after bubble until he has a nice nest built. This is a true indicater that Mr. Betta is truly comfortable and happy with his enviroment.

Remember that bettas must have clean water from frequent water changes, warm water at least 78-82F, a good diet of high quality flakes or pellets supplemented with frozen foods or freeze dried foods. And lots of attention and care by means of watching him daily and observing his behavior, sometimes bettas do get sick if something goes wrong with their water or diet, knowing how he behaves normally and his normal appearance  can help you spot problems if any should come up.

I'm really glad you are enjoying your betta so well.
I wish you and him only the very best,
Hope this helps!
Karen~
For lots more good info and pictures of Bettas-Please visit-
"www.bettatalk.com"