My Betta Is Smarter Than My Dog

Holy moly my dudes, let me tell you a tale of my George. He came to me very weak from shipping, bloated, and with SBD sinking type. With the help of y’all and my good friend at my lfs, he’s all betta (hahaha) and his personality is SHINING. Guys, this fish is smarter than my dog. I’ve taught him how to go through a hoop, eat from my finger, come on command, flare on command, and I’m gonna teach him to jump. He comes straight to me whenever I walk in the room, and HATES anything pink (like me lol) I didn’t really train him to flare on command, I was drawing him with a pink mechanical pencil and he flared at it nonstop. I tested other colors and it was just that darn pencil! He’s so smart, I’m smitten! Have y’all had any genius bettas?

 

I read "eat my finger" Amazeing betta! They are smart

 

That's so cute! Can we have some pictures?

 

my betta is dumb as a box of rocks I swear to jesus. He is in a planted fluval spec v planted tank ( heated ) with cherry shrimp and lots of snails but he will just chill. He will occasionally bite some detritus worms, but usually he will just chill around, he comes up to the top when I come into the room but that's just to be fed TBH. He is SUPER passive.

I will steal your betta now

 

I’m trying to post videos! how do I post them it won’t let me










Lemme know if these work

 

Wonderful, but consider whether you really want to teach him to jump. Bettas are already 'jumpers' and reinforcing this behavior can have tragic results. It only takes a moment's inattention to leave a hood open or ajar.

 

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Lemme know if these work

Literally me, just admiring myself.

 

Wonderful, but consider whether you really want to teach him to jump. Bettas are already 'jumpers' and reinforcing this behavior can have tragic results. It only takes a moment's inattention to leave a hood open or ajar.

True, I should probably make a lid for his bowl

Canadianfishfan ME TOO BUD ME TOO

It posted that twice again idk why that keeps happening to me but yeah I’m making him a little shrine

 

My betta is dumb as heck but he does know one little trick...when I hold up my finger and say "look fierce" he swims over to it and and gives me a BIG flare!!
I love my little Shy Guy!

 

True, I should probably make a lid for his bowl

Canadianfishfan ME TOO BUD ME TOO

Wow, I didn't know he was in a bowl when I made that comment. There are any number of things you can make a hood with- plastic light diffusors, screen door material, sheet plastic, etc. When I was treating a Betta in a bowl as a hospital tank I used what was, essentially, a stocking I tied a knot in so it would be taught. It slipped over the edge of the bowl and kept the little guy safe, though I had to be careful taking it off for feeding and tank maintenance because it had a tendency to 'snap' off and frighten him.

Your little guy's bowl is heated and filtered, I hope, and at least 2.5 gallons.

 

My betta is dumb as heck but he does know one little trick...when I hold up my finger and say "look fierce" he swims over to it and and gives me a BIG flare!!
I love my little Shy Guy!

Omg that’s so cute!!! How’d you teach him that?

Wow, I didn't know he was in a bowl when I made that comment. There are any number of things you can make a hood with- plastic light diffusors, screen door material, sheet plastic, etc. When I was treating a Betta in a bowl as a hospital tank I used what was, essentially, a stocking I tied a knot in so it would be taught. It slipped over the edge of the bowl and kept the little guy safe, though I had to be careful taking it off for feeding and tank maintenance because it had a tendency to 'snap' off and frighten him.

Your little guy's bowl is heated and filtered, I hope, and at least 2.5 gallons.

He’s a baby and also it’s a hospital tank, when he’s completely better I’m moving him to a filtered, heated 10 gallon thanks for the ideas! I’ll definitely use one for him, think I’ve got a spare piece of mesh I can use

 

Omg that’s so cute!!! How’d you teach him that?

I didn't really teach him...he just really hates my finger, so he did it on his own. And a friend of mine had taught her dog to show her teeth when she said "look fierce" so I thought it would be a cute idea if I said "look fierce" when Shy Guy flared! So it looks like I taught him something when really I didn't...don't tell...

He’s a baby and also it’s a hospital tank, when he’s completely better I’m moving him to a filtered, heated 10 gallon thanks for the ideas! I’ll definitely use one for him, think I’ve got a spare piece of mesh I can use

Awesome! Glad to hear that the bowl's only temporary - I was going to ask about that.

 

I didn't really teach him...he just really hates my finger, so he did it on his own. And a friend of mine had taught her dog to show her teeth when she said "look fierce" so I thought it would be a cute idea if I said "look fierce" when Shy Guy flared! So it looks like I taught him something when really I didn't...don't tell...

Your secret is safe with me ;D That’s so funny I love it, yeah George didn’t really learn to flare on command, he just hates that pink pencil and nothing else!! And yeah the bowl is only temporary He was in the 10 gal before but wasn’t recovering cause he couldn’t swim to the top so I set him up a recovery bowl so he could reach the surface easier

 

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Lemme know if these work

Just to let you know you should really get a new tank, the one you have does not look good. I suggest the set up you have but move it into a 5 gallon :> sorry for this comment if you are already going to upgrade. Just wanted to be sure your betta is safe

 

Just to let you know you should really get a new tank, the one you have does not look good. I suggest the set up you have but move it into a 5 gallon :> sorry for this comment if you are already going to upgrade. Just wanted to be sure your betta is safe

Read previous posts please

 

Read previous posts please

okay, sorry for the bother I hope you understand :V

 

okay, sorry for the bother I hope you understand :V

Lol no worries, thank you for the concern

 

Lol no worries, thank you for the concern

My betta is smart as all heck. I taught him to follow my fingers by feeding him with a chopstick, he’ll swim is circles even. He also goes on his leaf hammock when he’s hungry so he doesn’t make a mess with his food getting caught in the rocks. When I get home and open the door he hears it and comes to the front to greet me. I love him so much.

 

I haven't taught my betta anything other then a sign or signal whatever to let him know its time to eat because if I don't then he will never notice as he is always too busy swimming.

 

My betta is smart as all . I taught him to follow my fingers by feeding him with a chopstick, he’ll swim is circles even. He also goes on his leaf hammock when he’s hungry so he doesn’t make a mess with his food getting caught in the rocks. When I get home and open the door he hears it and comes to the front to greet me. I love him so much.

That’s exactly how my baby is, they’re so wonderful ️ Chopsticks are a good idea! George eats straight from my finger, it’s funny feeling his tiny little head bonk my finger how’d you teach him to swim in circles?

I haven't taught my betta anything other then a sign or signal whatever to let him know its time to eat because if I don't then he will never notice as he is always too busy swimming.

Lol that’s adorable! I wonder what goes through his head... elevator music, perhaps?

 

Lol that’s adorable! I wonder what goes through his head... elevator music, perhaps?

Haha no idea, he always seems to be off in his own little world. It's pretty cute

 

Haha no idea, he always seems to be off in his own little world. It's pretty cute

What a nice world it must be! Do you have a picture of your little daydreamer?

Side note to all: if anyone has any pics of your babies, feel free to post them!

 

What a nice world it must be! Do you have a picture of your little daydreamer?

Side note to all: if anyone has any pics of your babies, feel free to post them!

It must be a nice indeed. Makes me want to know what he's daydreaming about some days

 

It must be a nice indeed. Makes me want to know what he's daydreaming about some days
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Oh my goodness he’s stunning He’s rainbow!!

 

Oh my goodness he’s stunning He’s rainbow!!

yes he is pretty and is still colouring up haha. Although it would be nice if he could sit still for a decent picture. Do you have a picture of your betta?

 

yes he is pretty and is still colouring up haha. Although it would be nice if he could sit still for a decent picture. Do you have a picture of your betta?

Aww, is he a baby too? And relatable omg George just follows me around, which is when I got this gem:

He’s a baby koi and I couldn’t love his coloring more, looks like an actual koi pattern!

 

Aww, is he a baby too? And relatable omg George just follows me around, which is when I got this gem: View attachment 404855
He’s a baby koi and I couldn’t love his coloring more, looks like an actual koi pattern!

No he isn't but I don't think he is fully grown either. Aw George follows you? That's adorable. I love koi bettas, they always have beautiful patterns.
He is a very stunning baby, almost looks like an actual koi

 

That’s exactly how my baby is, they’re so wonderful ️ Chopsticks are a good idea! George eats straight from my finger, it’s funny feeling his tiny little head bonk my finger how’d you teach him to swim in circles?



Lol that’s adorable! I wonder what goes through his head... elevator music, perhaps?

I just take a plain chopstick outside the tank and swirl it around, he follows it because he thinks it might have food on it. I like to make sure he gets exercise and this way is less stressful than the training mirror.

 

I just take a plain chopstick outside the tank and swirl it around, he follows it because he thinks it might have food on it. I like to make sure he gets exercise and this way is less stressful than the training mirror.

Oh that sounds like fun! I tried those mirrors before but it stresses them out too much I find.

 

No he isn't but I don't think he is fully grown either. Aw George follows you? That's adorable. I love koi bettas, they always have beautiful patterns.
He is a very stunning baby, almost looks like an actual koi

Yeah he’s like a dog, if the whole room were water I feel like he’d be glued to my side 24/7! And right? Kois are so stunning, I ordered him from my LFS and I didn’t see him before he arrived, like a mystery box, and I couldn’t be happier with his patterm

I just take a plain chopstick outside the tank and swirl it around, he follows it because he thinks it might have food on it. I like to make sure he gets exercise and this way is less stressful than the training mirror.

I might have to try that haha, that’s a great idea! I stick the hoop in occasionally cause he loves it and I’m not a fan of those mirrors, like you said, they’re stressful. I just point that pink pencil and he flared like a big boy

 

This is my betta Wanheda! I only taught in to jump on command (he never jump when I don't ask, don't worry) and I use a mirror sometimes as it seems to amuse him more then stress him! He doesn't attack the glass, only start swimming everywhere really fast The second picture is after using the mirror!

 

View attachment 404905 View attachment 404906 This is my betta Wanheda! I only taught in to jump on command (he never jump when I don't ask, don't worry) and I use a mirror sometimes as it seems to amuse him more then stress him! He doesn't attack the glass, only start swimming everywhere really fast The second picture is after using the mirror!

Oh wowie Man, he looks painted!! Y’all have some gorgeous bettas! This is such a wholesome thread I can’t stop smiling at it

Also, big news! moving Georgie to the 10 gallon today!

 

Oh wowie Man, he looks painted!! Y’all have some gorgeous bettas! This is such a wholesome thread I can’t stop smiling at it

Also, big news! moving Georgie to the 10 gallon today!

Cool, bet he'll love all that extra space!

 

Cool, bet he'll love all that extra space!

He better! It’s all planted and scaped for him

 

He better! It’s all planted and scaped for him

Pleeaase post pics of his new setup!

 

His new mansion! He shares with a pair of threadfins, a BN pleco and a Cory Totally get along, they don’t even care to look at each other. He’s exploring, doing much better, his bowl had a soapish film on the surface, idk what from, I don’t use soap to clean the tanks ever. Seems to be breathing better and is definitely more active since addition. He keeps attacking his reflection though I dunno if that’s a good thing?

 

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His new mansion! He shares with a pair of threadfins, a BN pleco and a Cory Totally get along, they don’t even care to look at each other. He’s exploring, doing much better, his bowl had a soapish film on the surface, idk what from, I don’t use soap to clean the tanks ever. Seems to be breathing better and is definitely more active since addition. He keeps attacking his reflection though I dunno if that’s a good thing?

beautiful setup! haha sounds like he approves of the move. I'm not sure only time will tell if he does well with others despite not liking his reflection.

 

beautiful setup! haha sounds like he approves of the move. I'm not sure only time will tell if he does well with others despite not liking his reflection.

He ended up attacking the threadfins They’re fine I just had to move him back

 

He ended up attacking the threadfins They’re fine I just had to move him back

that sucks, maybe the threadfins are too colourful and resembles a betta to him. is he back in his bowl now?

 

that sucks, maybe the threadfins are too colourful and resembles a betta to him. is he back in his bowl now?

Yeah I think that’s it ‍♀️ He is, I’m gonna figure something out for him, maybe a 2ish gal tank on my desk if I don’t get in trouble for having two tanks. He’s doing really well, so well in fact that he tore his fins from having so much gusto