Betta's "fighting" Opponents

[eprouve]

Hi...

Does anyone know if Bettas only "fight" with their own kind?

I've been keeping my betta in a clear barracks inside my dad's community tanks made up of white cloud mountain minions and tiger barbs. It doesn't seem to display any stress symptoms nor its "open gills" behaviour.

I accidentally tipped the barracks on day and the betta swam out among the rest of the fish... but it seemed to enjoy their company. This was a betta that was very violent when placed with another...

Is it normal?

[vinz]

Yes, it's normal. It may get aggressive with similar looking fishes, like gourami. I've seen one seriously beat up a dwarf G bigger then himself, but left all other fishes, big or small, alone.

Personality plays a part too. Some are aggressive to other fishes, some are not.

[eprouve]

Heheh... so I'll just leave him in there like that. I feel so much better that he has more space to swim about. []

[Vican]

But you'd have to watch that the other fishes don't nip on your betta's tail.

Also, whether the betta is aggressive to other fish differs from betta to betta. Some are intolerant of other fishes at all, while yet others are fine with other fishes. Just have to keep your fingers crossed.

Bettas are pretty individualistic, considering their size