Unexpectedly, the "fighter" among fish also has a soft side

Produced by: Science Popularization China

Author: Life Pulse Team

Producer: China Science Expo

Nearly 500 million years ago, a major leap occurred in the history of life evolution on Earth. The earliest fish-like animals appeared, marking the beginning of the history of vertebrates and ushering in a new historical stage in the development of the animal kingdom.

Fish have accompanied humans for more than 5,000 years and have formed an indissoluble bond with humans. Today, fish have become an extremely important food and ornamental pet in human daily life. Among fish, there are lively and agile goldfish and lightning-fast flying fish. However, the protagonist we introduce today is famous for its aggressiveness.

When you first hear the name of fighting fish, I believe most people will have this question: Are fighting fish really aggressive? The answer is yes, fighting fish are famous for their colorful body and ferocious aggressiveness.

Siamese fighting fish

(Photo source: Veer Gallery)

Fish fighter

During the reproductive period, male fish of many fish become very aggressive in order to obtain a satisfactory mate and protect the nest. Among the aggressive fish, fighting fish is the most famous.

When it is still, the color of the betta fish is relatively dark, but when it is angry to win the favor of its mate or fight, its whole body and fins will immediately emit a dazzling metallic luster, and it will bite its enemy with its mouth. In order to fight with the enemy, the betta fish often disregards its own life and gambles everything.

Betta

(Photo source: Veer Gallery)

When you place two male bettas in the same aquarium, or place a male betta in front of a mirror so that it can see its own shadow, when it finds other bettas, it will immediately erect all its fins, emit a dazzling glow, adjust its mood, and quickly enter a fighting state. The male betta facing the mirror will repeatedly hit its own shadow, which can be called a "fighter" among fish.

Betta fish fighting

(Photo source: Veer Gallery)

Betta fish are mainly distributed in tropical and subtropical areas. There are two types of betta fish in my country. One is the widespread round-tailed betta fish, and the other is the fork-tailed betta fish distributed in the south. The round-tailed betta fish has poor fighting ability, while the fork-tailed betta fish is very aggressive. The fork-tailed betta fish is slightly inferior to the Thai betta fish. The Thai betta fish is the most beautiful and aggressive of all betta fish. In recent years, betta fish have been raised as ornamental fish.

The fish nest of the betta is "spitted out"

Each fish has its own way of reproduction. Some fish have the ability to protect their offspring from harm by external enemies. In order to protect their offspring, these fish build various nests for their children, lay their eggs in them, and wait by their side to protect their development and growth.

The nesting method of betta fish is quite special, it is a foam nest. During the reproductive season, the male fish chooses a place with calm water surface and shelter from the wind, blows air with its mouth and spits out mucus, thus forming small bubbles made of mucus. Countless small bubbles stick together to form a floating nest with a raised or slightly flat surface.

Color Betta

(Photo source: Veer Gallery)

A strange "proposal" ceremony

When the nest is built, the male fish begins to propose to the female fish, swimming around the female fish and trying to show off his beautiful figure. At this time, the male fish will spread all its fins, open its mouth wide, protrude its gill membranes and show the red gill filaments. At the same time, the male fish's body color becomes as bright as a rainbow, and it may even tremble due to extreme excitement.

If the female fish does not respond to the male fish's courtship, the male fish will become angry and chase the female fish until she is forced to jump out of the water to escape. If the female fish accepts the male fish's courtship, she will gradually approach the male fish and then suddenly lie down in the water. At this time, the male fish will stick to the female fish and turn its body upside down with its abdomen facing up. The male fish will lie under the female fish and both sides will discharge eggs and sperm.

Colorful fighting fish

(Photo source: Veer Gallery)

The "heart-worrying" betta fish "father"

Since the eggs are heavier than water, they sink after being released. The male fish waiting below will catch them with its mouth, apply a layer of mucus on the surface of the eggs, and then swim upwards to stick the eggs on the floating nest. The female fish only lays 3-7 eggs each time, and needs to repeat this action many times until all the eggs are released.

After spawning, the male fish will wait under the floating nest or swim around it. It needs to be alert that its mate will look for opportunities to eat the eggs. After hatching, the fry will temporarily attach to the floating nest. If a fry falls from the floating nest, the male fish will drag it back to the floating nest. The male fish will continue to protect the fry until they can find food on their own and have a certain swimming ability, and then they will be released from the floating nest to live on their own.

Color Betta

(Photo source: Veer Gallery)

Conclusion

It is somewhat surprising that male betta fish can take such good care of their offspring. As the representative of the fierce and aggressive fish, they rely on their aggressive nature to find their mate, reproduce the next generation, and spend their lives in a thrilling and exciting way, which is worthy of their name.

Editor: Ying Yike