Can Betta Fish Hear?
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Yes, Betta Fish can hear! In fact, they have Ears. They are disimilar to human Outer Ears, but they are Ears nevertheless. The Ears are located behind the skin near their eyes. They appear as a small opening. And are in fact “internal” Ears. They are covered with Sensory Hairs that are designed to detect sound.
Fish hear via Sound Waves. As the sound moves through the water it makes vibrations. The vibration from the sound waves stimulates the skin and ears of the Fish. So essentially a Fish uses it’s body to hear as well as it’s internal Ears.
Fish can also hear via their “Lateral Line”. Which is a fluid-filled tube that is very senstitive to water pressure. As the water pressure builds the Lateral Line sensors react and build up pressure in the organ. Causing the Fish to react (hear) to this pressure.
Note: Sound Waves are multiplied through the water 5 fold. So you should never tap the tank of a Fish. As you can imagine the sound they hear.
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Betta Fish are what I blog about.
May 13th, 2008 at 9:04 pm
Thank you for this information. I have a Betta Fish and I always wondered if they had ears and if they could hear. I’ll be more careful at tapping on his bowl ! Again thanks for this information . Linda Hunt
July 15th, 2008 at 8:50 pm
Yeah, I always cringe whenever I see a child banging on the walls of a tank a la’ “Finding Nemo.”
July 17th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
I truly appreciate all of your information that you share regarding the care, traits, and love for “Bettas”.
I have a precious, baby, male betta that was given to my mother for a “Mother’s Day” gift. Yes, I did say that the love was given to my mom… He’s MINE now! I love him just as I love my dogs, cats, nieces and nephews.
I may be a little touched; But I believe that he knows that I love him.
Thank you for your tips. They really help in securing; MY; baby with good care and love.
April 13th, 2009 at 9:27 pm
Okay, So talking to my fish is not neccessary.
He comes to life when I walk in to the room where he lives in his bowl. Swims to the side I am on and wiggles all around. Very endearing.
Rochelle
October 13th, 2009 at 11:35 am
My fish does that tail wiggle thing too, lol….it’s why I chose him from out of all the others at PetSmart. He kept coming to the edge of his container when I came close
. I talk to my betta also.
October 26th, 2009 at 10:48 pm
When I was singing to my betta, named Duck,she was listening. When I lost pitch, she swam around the bowl. When I kept my pitch, she stayed still. Weird.
April 27th, 2010 at 11:30 pm
thank you so much! your a big help!
but i have a huge question……. i play the violin and it is loud, but is it okay to still play it in the same room with the fish? im just afraid that every time i practice, my poor betta suffers from the noise.
April 27th, 2010 at 11:34 pm
oh and i just bought a new betta too and i need help deciding what to name it.. do you guys have any ideas???
May 2nd, 2010 at 3:04 pm
Bettas can hear you, sometimes I talk to my bettas.
June 4th, 2010 at 10:39 pm
Hi LIzzieee,
Funny you ask about the violin because I had the same question! Personally I think that my bettas like the sound, one of them likes the lower strings and the other seems to prefer the higher sounds LOL… unless I’m just imagining that and they are cringing :0!!!!!
June 9th, 2010 at 9:17 pm
yeah i actually have a betta that i have had for about 4 yars and she “comes”to her name but i think she just responds to sound its pretty awesome.
July 31st, 2010 at 3:41 pm
haha theresa my betta does too. his name is Steve. he jumps and flicks his tail when i bring out his food. i feed him once or twice a day. he knows commands too. he will hidein his plants if i say “attack!” he will roll over if say “play dead” and will oddly smile at you in the front of his tank when you say “strike a pose.” he is the weirdest fish ive ever seen. ive had him for almost 2 years now.
September 10th, 2010 at 1:26 pm
Thanks for the answers to my questions. I am a new betta owner and wanted to know if she sleeps and hears. It’s yes to both questiions. She’s on my snack bar and when I come home I always say hello to her and when I go to bed, I tell her good night.
February 22nd, 2011 at 5:41 am
lol Bettas can hear, I talk to Carmichael, and scold him for flaring, and everytime he I get on to him, I always yell “HEY!!” and he always stops and just swims around, he is so good. Haven’t had Daemon flare on me, but I’ve only had him a week or two. =) Carmichael I’ve had 1 1/2. =)
February 25th, 2011 at 11:25 pm
my daughter “swears” that her beta moves when she says “caa”
April 1st, 2011 at 4:11 pm
That makes sense! I thought they HAVE to be able to hear because I know that whenever I start singing, no matter where my betta, Bob, is in his bowl he always dashes to wherever I am and stops and stares at me while I sing. ^_^ now whether that means he likes it or not, I am not sure. lol.
June 2nd, 2011 at 4:34 pm
So Betta can hear! I just rescued my daughter’s almost dead Betta. He now is eating well, fins fluffed. I put my face near his tank and talk to him several times a day–and he always comes to visit. He seems to like the socializing.
July 31st, 2011 at 8:22 pm
I have a female betta she actually enjoys music, classic rock to be specific and shes picky about it (she who is normally so inactive people tell that she has died) snubs aerosmith but absolutely loves the stones, Bob Marley and the who, she swims in similar patterns when she must be hearing her favorite songs which so far I have personally noticed are stones the last time and the who pinball wizard the latter of the two I dont even like she heard on the radio and I noticed she moved around when it was on. though all this sounds crazy but has anyone else seen this kinda thing b4
August 6th, 2011 at 4:50 am
My mom always talks to Sam (my Betta). I catch her all the time having a conversation with him. He gets excited and swims up and down the tank when we appear.
August 30th, 2011 at 4:42 am
My betta (elmo( aka *little red* just fell in love with me the moment he seen me I did to. He’s the sweetest fish and he’s like me in every way! hahahaha when I go to the tank he swims up to be and if I put a mirror next to him he totally ignores it and looks at me haha. I talk to elmo everyday! I listen to my ipos and do home work next to him I’ve had him for 3 days…….. elmo is my second betta .. I had another one (rainbow) For ten years.. died of old age.. now its been 3 years.. I just love these fish and their diffrent personalitys. I got elmo from walmart. U can say I rescued him now he’s swimming happily in a 2.5 gallon tank with three plants and me by his side =D I also trained him. He knows when its time to eat. And he also knows when I’m in the room he loves to hear me sing. Haha
November 10th, 2011 at 3:29 am
nice pictures and i didnt no they had ears o:
November 23rd, 2011 at 7:06 am
But can they hear humans?
December 3rd, 2011 at 2:32 pm
I have a beautiful blue male betta and he respondes tot he sound of my voice and when I hold the bright yellow can of food up to his tank and he knows he is about to be fed he starts doing a “dance”, swishing his tail really fast and zoming around the tank. Bert has so much personality and I love him.