Yes, betta fish can hear; they, like all fish species, have ears. We just can’t see fish ears as they’re developed inside their heads rather than protruding from them.
A fish, like any other pet, becomes a companion and secret keeper for its owner. If you have one of the gracious bettas, you may have been telling it about your day.
In some cases, you may simply talk to your betta pal to calm it down if you suspect it’s stressed. However, can betta fish hear?
You might have a feeling they do because they react to loud noises or when you approach them. Nonetheless, we can’t see any ears on their tiny heads, so how can they hear? Continue reading to find out.
Can Betta Fish Hear Their Owners?
Yes, your betta friend can hear you with its fish ears. We know you’ve never seen a fish with ears, but that’s because they’re not built to protrude from their heads.
The ear bone structure of fish is hidden inside their heads, making it invisible to us.
It’s incredible how the pressure sensors and hearing abilities of a betta compensate for its poor vision. A betta’s eyesight isn’t the best, especially in the dark.
Yet, bettas have excellent pressure sensors that run along their bodies. These sensors are capable of detecting minor changes in water pressure.
If you put tiny bits of food in the tank while it’s dark and there’s a loud noise, a betta will still swim up for it. Even though it won’t be able to see or hear anything, its sensory cells will detect the wave created by the food particles.
Looking back at their origins, bettas are originally found in slow-moving streams. The still water they’re used to living in is usually muddy.
This means that bettas rely on their hearing and sensing abilities rather than their eyesight.
Moreover, in the wild, bettas feed on insects and insect eggs laid on the water’s surface. They also detect the presence of a predator from a distance and begin to hide.
It’s all thanks to the extremely sensitive sensors bettas have. These sensors direct them to the surface when they detect small waves and warn them to flee when they sense large waves.
That being said, we now have a better understanding of how bettas’ bodies have adapted to those conditions.
Can Betta Fish Recognize Your Voice?
There’s no doubt that bettas are intelligent to the point where you can teach them tricks. However, are they smart enough to recognize their owner’s voice? That’s highly unlikely.
Your finned pal can hear you, but not as clearly as you think. After all, there’s a glass barrier, filters, and, in some cases, bubblers. So, most of the time, they detect vibrations in the water caused by the frequency of your tone.
To be fair, it’s uncertain whether bettas recognize voices or not. Nevertheless, it’s recommended that you call it by its name every time you visit or feed it.
This exercise may cause your betta to react by linking voices with actions. Moreover, talking to your pet fish is a great way to bond with them, especially if they’re bettas.
Do Loud Noises Affect Betta Fish?
Absolutely! Loud noises can most definitely affect your betta fish. In fact, loud sounds don’t do small fish any favor.
Small fish sense their surroundings by sensing water vibrations through their skin. Assume you’re blasting your speakers and these vibrations are hitting your small friend.
Imagine how that would scare them, and you’ll instantly notice them startled and looking for a place to hide.
In the case of bettas, loud noises will just frighten them due to their super-sensitive cells.
Consequently, with this level of fear, your pet fish can get stressed. If you don’t know, the stress in fish can cause health problems.
What’s more, a new study found that loud noises damage and injure the ears of fish.
Keep the following four things in mind to keep your betta relaxed in her tank:
- Try not to place the tank near a TV
- Avoid turning on the speakers next to the tank
- Move the tank to a quiet location if you must use your amplifier
- Never tap on the tank’s glass with your finger
Can Bettas Recognize Their Owners?
Although they don’t recognize your voice, bettas can become familiar with your face. With some bonding exercises, your friend will become acquainted with you.
Aside from forming an incredible bond with your betta, bettas require more frequent interactions or they’ll become bored. Boredom weakens bettas’ immune systems, thus impacting their health.
Here are three common indicators that your betta is bored:
- Tail biting
- Slow eating
- Tiredness
We want our pet fish to recognize us, trust us, and enjoy themselves in their new home. Thus, you should start chatting with your betta buddies now that you know they can hear you.
Yes, chatting is a great way to connect with your fish. And even if they can’t hear you, they might feel the frequency of your voice.
What’s more, bettas are a curious species, making them super easy to entertain.
One simple way to interact with them is by gently sliding your finger across the tank. Within a few moments, your betta will become intrigued and will start following your finger.
It would also be a good idea to keep the tank in a place where you spend most of your time. Your tiny friends will appreciate your company as they enjoy seeing movements around them.
All in All
Can betta fish hear us?
Yes, and talking to them is a wonderful way to bond. Your betta buddy craves interaction, so make it a point to chat and play with it regularly.
However, you must make sure to keep your betta away from loud noise as it can stress it out. Besides, the fish’s annoyance in finding Nemo while Darla was tapping on the tank is real, so don’t do it!