11 Common Myths About Fish

1. Myth: Female Bettas Can Live Together. Female Bettas are just as territorial as males. Females Bettas can live together but must be placed neutral territory at the same time. You also must have over two females, a pecking order can’t be made with just two fish.

2. Myth: Fish Blow Bubble Nests When They Are Happy. No, Male Betta Fish instinctively will have the urge to build bubble nests even without the presence of a female. Bubble Nests do not mean they are happy, they will still make then even if they are stressed or unhappy.

3. Myth: Betta Fish Can Live And Prefer Living In Dirty Water. They do not like dirty water, they require filters and heaters or bi-weekly cleaning if there is no filter.

4. Myth: Betta Fish Can Live In Small Tanks A single Betta fish requires a proper tank, not a bowl. 5 gallons is minimum for one Betta.

5. Myth: Smaller Tanks Are For Beginners Actually, the smaller the tank, the more likely it is to fail. Sickness grows faster in smaller tanks and cleaning needs to be weekly. Small tanks are more fit for more experienced fish handlers.

6. Myth: Fish Grow According To The Size Of The Tank This is kind of true, but in a very bad way. A fish kept in a tank to small for them will experience stunted growth and may end up causing internal damage. The end result could result in early death but before that, it can cause extreme stress and fish kept in a small tank are more prone to diseases.

7. Betta Fish Can’t Drown Betta’s must have a space above the water line and below the hood of their tank so that they can surface and take in oxygen or they will drown. They won't drown in the water unless the surface is so dirty or full of tension that they cannot breach it. This is because Betta's actually have an organ that allows them to take in oxygen from the air, not just their gills.

8. Fish Have A Three Second Memory No, sadly this is not true. Scientists have proven that fish can remember things for up to three months, can tell time and each time they played a particular sound, the fish would return for food. I even have first-hand experience with my fish. If I tap the top of the tank my fish will come up to the surface for food. Both of my fish do this.

9. Betta Fish Like The Light Yes, Betta fish do like light, and no, Betta fish don’t like the light. Doesn’t make sense? Ok, let me explain, Betta fish prefer a schedule where they have regular light and dark periods so that they can get into a normal sleeping pattern.

10. Fish Float To The Top When They Die Fish don't necessarily always float when they die. If a fish dies with little to no air in its swim bladder, it doesn’t magically make this bladder expand to increase buoyancy. In these cases, the fish will often sink to the bottom.

11. Fish Don’t Sleep Yes and no. Research shows that fish may reduce their activity but remain alerted to danger and predators. They “sleep” but their sleep is different to most animals and humans.

Sources:

http://www.petfish.net/

http://japanesefightingfish.org/

http://www.allaquariuminfo.com/

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/

http://www.livescience.com/

http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/