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Hey everyone I just wanted to give everyone a quick update on my fish Bo. She is doing pretty well! She still has her tail rot problem (again, if anyone has any suggestions please let me know). A lot of algae was growing on her tank. Her tank was on my dresser that was in front of a window. I heard that you weren’t supposed to keep bettas in direct sunlight, but I had a curtain so I thought it was okay. But I moved her out of the sun and hardly any algae grows now. She still has a tail rot problem but its not as bad. So she is doing better

Absolutely! We’ve all experienced with our Bettas how they spit out certain foods, but gobble down others before you can get it completely in the tank. Fish have Tastebuds. These Tastebuds are located in their Mouth, on their Lips and in surrounding areas on their Heads.

Their Tastebuds act as receptors. The receptors signals the brain that they are in contact with food. And in many cases, the Fish can smell the food, even if they can’t see it.. In addition, the Fish use their sense of Smell, in connection with their Tastebuds to detect food.

Note: Many times, I’ve dropped food in that tanks, and the Betta didn’t see it. But he finds it within a minute. It’s those Tastebuds and Nostrils at work.

Incredibly Well! In fact due to the placement of the Eyes on the Body, Fish can see better than humans. They have an almost peripheral viewing field of 360 Degrees with just the slightest of a blindspot.

The Fish Eyes are similar to humans. They have an Iris, Cornea, Retina and Lens. Their Retina allows them to refract light. And their Lens can move back and forward to allow them to see both near and far. They have remarkable underwater vision that allows them to see at great depths and distances. Their Vision comes in handy. It allows them so see their predators “before” they become lunch.

Note: Some Fish can see in Colors. The perception of Color, varies by Species. Betta Fish can see in color.

Many Scientists disagree on whether a Fish can actually feel pain. While it’s noted that Fish have the Neurological and Psychological ability to feel, Scientist don’t believe they have the higher brain functions to process this sensation of feeling as being pain.

However, they all agree that Fish have Sensory Receptors that simulate the sense of Touch/Feel. Therefore, they can use these Sensors to Touch, but what they actually “feel” is still up for debate.

Yes, Fish can Smell. In fact most of them have Nostrils. Their Nostils have Sensors that can detect odors in the water and sends the signals to their brain. These same Nostrils can detect the blood from other Fish as well. Sharks rely heavily on their Nostrils, as they can detect food over long distances.

Fish also use their sense of Smell to detect the smell that females emit. This detection of the female scent is said to signal the “willingness to breed”.

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.

Yes, they do sleep. All living animals must sleep to survive. Many Fish will slow down, float or hover in one spot. But Bettas seem to lounge. Many of them will lay down in a “L-Shaped” position (head up, body to the side). Some will look like they are dead. And others will just stay at the top of the water.

Marine Fish, sleep in the day and hunt at night. Their nocturnal predators instinct takes over. But Tropical Fish, tend to be on the same sleep cycle as humans. Sleeping at night. They move around more rapidly in the daylight and slow down considerably at night.

Note: You can actually see a Betta yawn at night. They open their mouth and make the same yawning motions as you would.